The Latest
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Charmed by a Contractor: Our investigation and the warning from Homeland Security
Connecticut and Massachusetts homeowners said they paid thousands of dollars to a contractor they knew simply as “Jason,” only to be left with damaged property, disconnected phone numbers and warranties they said were never honored. During a six-month investigation, NBC Connecticut Responds found six homeowners who identified the same man and said he represented at least five different companies tied to masonry, waterproofing, chimney and foundation work. Homeowners said Jason seemed charming and trustworthy. Now they’re left wondering if...
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Thousands didn't receive their DMV emissions postcard earlier this year
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (CT DMV) told NBC Connecticut Responds that from February 7th through March 15th, about 17,000 emission test reminder mailers did not get sent out. The CT DMV uses a third-party vendor, Opus Inspections, to manage the emissions program and issue reminders to owners. Although those initial reminders didn’t go out, late fee notices for those missed...
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We tested silver coins bought on eBay, and they were all fake
Six coin collectors from across our state told NBC Connecticut Responds they have seen counterfeits popping up on eBay, potentially leaving unsuspecting buyers scammed out of hundreds of dollars. They asked the Responds team to investigate, and the problem was easy to find. Our team identified four eBay listings described as 1oz bullion Silver Eagle coins. Everything about the listings…
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‘My head is just spinning,' customers with thousands at stake react to kitchen company closure
Wren Kitchens, a major kitchen cabinet retailer with showrooms in Milford and Newington and sixteen other smaller locations in Connecticut, abruptly closed Thursday. Some of these locations existed inside Home Depots. Customers and employees both said the closure occurred without warning. “We paid them with a check, and they cashed it. And so they have all of our money. They have over $23,000...
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Delta and Southwest increase fees
Higher airline fees could make spring break travel more expensive as Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines roll out new checked-bag charges this week. Delta began increasing its checked-bag fees on Wednesday, and Southwest’s changes take effect Thursday, making them the latest carriers to raise costs for travelers. The moves follow similar increases by American Airlines, United Airlines, and...
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Eye in the Sky: How a Connecticut insurance company is using third party data to help deny claims
When Anthony Cusano filed a claim after storm damage to his late mother’s home, he didn’t expect it to be denied based on a historical image. But experts say insurers are increasingly relying on data such as aerial images to deny claims. The claim was for the home he grew up in. Since his father passed away 18 years ago,...
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NBC CT Responds steps in after post office denies insurance claim
John Chapman in Bristol said he sold a gold bar on eBay for $3,100. He insured it for the full amount and shipped it through the United States Postal Service (USPS). Soon after, he said, the post office lost the package. So, Chapman filed a claim. He told NBC Connecticut the claim was denied multiple times. Then, he said the…
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Grocery prices in-store, pickup or same-day delivery: What NBC's national experiment found
NBC Connecticut Responds teamed up with 12 NBC stations across the U.S. and TODAY to see if grocery prices were the same, regardless of if you bought them in-store, online for store pickup or same-day delivery. We went shopping on the same day at Walmart, Target and Whole Foods and bought the same exact items: milk, eggs, butter, cheese, bread,…
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Wallingford woman gets $12,762 refund for malfunctioning Jacuzzi after reaching out to NBC CT Responds
A Wallingford woman received a $12,762 refund for a malfunctioning Jacuzzi after reaching out to NBC Connecticut Responds, following months of failed repair attempts by the retailer. Rita Hogan said she bought a hot tub from Namco Pools in Orange, CT, but within days, she said it was turning off on its own, causing the water temperature to go down,...
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‘Frustrating, disgusting, heartbreaking' | Stroke survivor describes effort it took to get doctor-recommended surgery
“I’m not getting better.” That’s the sentiment Melissa Vargas feels after surviving a stroke four years ago. She has difficulty performing everyday tasks due to limited mobility in her right arm. She can’t button her own shirt, hold utensils to cut her own food, or wrap her arms around her granddaughter. “I can’t do anything that you need two...
