Story Published:
Aug 22, 2008
Story Updated:
Jun 29, 2009
The Consumer Tip of the Day with Herb Weisbaum
Herb is a respected consumer advocate, with features heard for decades on Seattle media. You have probably heard his reports on KOMO 1000 Newsradio, or seen them on KOMO-4 News (especially every afternoon at 4pm on FIRST NEWS AT 4). Now his most helpful information appears on STAR 101.5!
CHECK OUT HERB's CONSUMER TIPS FOR THIS WEEK!
FINANCE: AVOIDING INVESTMENT FRAUD
Whether you've saved a little or a lot, you want to build up a bigger nest egg for retirement.
Be careful! Hook up with a con artist and your nest egg could fly away. Here are some tips to avoid that from fraud.org.
• Don’t believe a “no risk” sales claim. Most investments, other than something like an insured bank account, have some sort of risk. Only a con artist will tell you otherwise.
• Beware of promises that you will make big profits quickly No one can accurately predict how an investment will do.
• Don’t agree to anything on the spot. Pressure to act immediately is a danger sign of fraud.
• Get everything in writing and take the time to study it.
• Understand the offer. If you don't, do your homework. If you still don't, that investment is not for you.
• Don’t act on testimonials. They can be paid for or simply faked.
• Think twice about investing in commodities. Crooks will tell you the value of coins, precious metals, oil leases or gemstones are guaranteed to go up. Not true. Commodities make wild swings -- both up and down.
Listen to Herb's consumer tip HERE.
MEDICAL: ENDOMETRIOSIS: CAUSE AND TREATMENT
It’s not uncommon for women to have some pain during their periods. But thousands of women experience pain that is anything but common. The condition is called endometriosis and here's what causes it. “The cells that line the inside of the uterus, find their way outside and usually set up shop so to speak and start growing within the pelvis,” says the Mayo Clinic's Dr. Kyle Traynor. Endometriosis is a fairly common condition, affecting about one in every 10 women of child bearing age. “The repercussions are pelvic pain and infertility in some women," Dr. Traynor explains. Endometriosis can be mild, moderate or severe. Without treatment it tends to get worse over time. For some women over-the-counter pain medications are enough. Hormone treatment can also help relieve the symptoms, but that can interfere with your ability to get pregnant. Surgery is also an option. If you think you might have endometriosis, keep a record of your symptoms. That can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
Listen to Herb's consumer tip HERE.
