Results: Recent events in the news suggest something like a consumer's bill of rights is needed, especially when it comes to treatment by airlines and salespeople. This survey explores these issues. (some reading involved or just N/A it)
Published on 06/04/2025
You may have read the news articles outlined in this survey or know of something similar. Any additional comments, advice, experiences etc. would be welcome. As consumers and thus potential victims of appalling mistreatment by airlines, high pressure sales people, fraudsters and scammers, I think we need to push back a lot more than we do currently. See if you agree.
QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
The first disturbing incident concerns the daughter of a woman who is aged 75 and suffering from Alzheimer's disease. She was persuaded to buy an anti ageing device and some lotions at a store in a shopping mall to the tune of $15,000 approx. She maxed out her credit card for half of it and withdrew the balance from her bank account the next day. The daughter was upset and tried to reverse the transaction to no avail. The store said the mother was very interested in looking younger. Here are some ways to prevent something like this from happening to you or someone you know. Which of them will you do if you have not already done so. Please comment about any additional suggestions.
If someone has an illness of this type but is high functioning it is not necessary or advisable to notify financial institutions of the illness but a trusted family member should be listed as an emergency contact person if there is unusual activity on the account(s).
25%
525 votes
Most financial institutions either have or should have account monitoring tools that will identify unusual account activity and will contact the customer before approving the transaction(s)
35%
734 votes
The daily withdrawal limit on accounts should be based on typical transactions, and an amount as large as the one on the credit card and bank account in the above example should never be automatically approved without verification.
28%
584 votes
Customers can be proactive and set limits on how low the balance of their accounts can go before the bank raises a red flag.
22%
463 votes
The credit limit on cards should not be based on what the credit card gives you but rather the amount you need, especially for retired people who rarely have the need for the amount of credit in the above situation.
16%
330 votes
There will always be disgusting people like the ones who took advantage of this lady. When situations like this happen we owe it to each other to not only boycott the store, but spread the news as far and wide as we can. If you know of other actions we could take please comment.
28%
596 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
17 votes
Not Applicable
39%
825 votes
- WTF???
- Thanks for the link
- THANKS.
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.15% | 5 | |
| All of the above | 0.06% | 2 |
| I agree with all | 0.03% | 1 |
| Daughter should have power of attorney | 0.03% | 1 |
| Caveat Emptor- Let the buyer beware- is a good rule to follow. | 0.03% | 1 |
| All of the above are good ideas | 0.03% | 1 |
| hire more people to help | 0.03% | 1 |
| That sort of happened to me. Cleared out my bank account and got a rap sheet for theft. | 0.03% | 1 |
| contact your local paper n tv station spread the news the companies will soon change their minds about reversing the charges | 0.03% | 1 |
| None | 0.03% | 1 |
| Contact the BBB and the media. | 0.03% | 1 |
| HAVE A TRUSTED 2ND PARTY ON YOUR ACCOUNT WHOM WILL BE CONTACTED/NOTIFIED OF ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY WHERE AN ABNORMALLY HIGH AMOUNT IS TRYING TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE ACCOUNT | 0.03% | 1 |
2.
2.
This second situation is about Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT), E-Transfers or whatever they call them where you bank. Typically someone is selling an item or paying for a product or service and wants to transfer funds digitally from the buyer to the seller. In one situation the buyer "paid" over $4K for something and showed the seller that payment had been made using the app on his phone. Thinking the transaction was complete the product was delivered. Only later did the seller discover the money had never been deposited. His bank said there was nothing they could do and the media blamed the bank. Since this type of transaction is now very popular, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Which of them will you follow if you don't do so already?
Just because the buyer has filled out the details on the app does not mean the money has been received by the seller's account. Having the buyer show you the entry on their phone doesn't prove anything until it is in your bank account and you have confirmation of that.
25%
522 votes
Some transactions of this type can take up to an hour to complete, especially if you are dealing with a smaller bank that processes this type of transaction through a bigger bank (for which they pay a fee). This may slow down the deal but until the money is actually in the account the buyer can cancel it - and you have no deal.
23%
491 votes
Some people have a security question and answer at their bank to verify if the transaction is legitimate. This slows down the transaction and is not needed if the previous steps are in place and followed. Banks can then process EFTs automatically, especially if you do this type of transaction regularly.
25%
526 votes
The sellers bank can and should send a confirmation of the deposit in an email or SMS text. With this confirmation the deal is done. If this has not been set up it makes sense to do so.
27%
566 votes
Other (please specify)
0%
10 votes
Not Applicable
45%
951 votes
- What's this box for?
- There are so many new scams
- Just use a credit card, it safer for seller and buyer, especially for large transactions.
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.24% | 5 | |
| avoid eft as much as possible | 0.05% | 1 |
| hire more people to help | 0.05% | 1 |
| Don t participate in these things | 0.05% | 1 |
| None | 0.05% | 1 |
| Don t use EFTs. | 0.05% | 1 |
3.
3.
No matter how enjoyable your dream vacation has been, it can go off the rails on the return home when you find your return flight does not have you on it. I have seen three examples of this in the past week. One of them involved one carrier switching the passenger to another carrier on the outbound flight and finding there was no seat on the return flight. The 2nd involved a switch of boarding passes that neither the passenger or any airline employee noticed even though all parties actually looked at it. Looking does not mean seeing apparently. This resulted in the passenger being on the wrong plane and arriving in the wrong country. The 3rd example was similar to the first one only this time the passenger was actually shown as being on the return flight but the ticket number given by carrier one was not in the same computer format as carrier two. The airline refused to print the boarding pass and showed the passenger as a no-show (so that they could sell the seat) Huge costs were incurred to pay to get home on a one way ticket full fare and none of the carriers accept the blame. Here are some suggestions that MAY prevent this from happening to you. Which will you follow?
Don't fly on Air Canada, Delta, United, West Jet or Sun Wing (the carriers involved) if you can avoid it until you are satisfied they have had an attitude transplant.
15%
318 votes
Read your boarding and make sure the details are correct - especially if there are any alterations to your flight.
30%
622 votes
Arrive at the airport with enough time to have a heated discussion at check in and still make it to your flight to your dream vacation.
25%
515 votes
When you arrive at your destination, after finding your lost luggage or while waiting for it, go to the airline you are on for the return flight and make sure they have your details recorded on their system. Also confirm your return flight again long before you arrive at the airport for it. Allow time for the airline to fix their screw ups.
25%
529 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
11 votes
Not Applicable
48%
1013 votes
- This is a useless box.
- I don't fly at all--not since 2004.
- West Jet has always screwed up my travel, I avoid them like a conservative. Air Canada has always been good for me.
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.20% | 4 | |
| Don't fly | 0.05% | 1 |
| Consider traveling by bus, train, ship or car instead of flying. | 0.05% | 1 |
| hire more people to help | 0.05% | 1 |
| NoNe | 0.05% | 1 |
| Print your tickets before leaving home. | 0.05% | 1 |
| all of the above | 0.05% | 1 |
| Get important information! | 0.05% | 1 |
4.
4.
When there is a car crash and blame has yet to be determined, the insurance companies will often settle the claim with the customer and work out which insurer pays what later and without customer involvement. (never say anything if in a crash that admits to being to blame - your insurer might not pay if you do). Airlines should do something similar. When it is obvious that one or both airlines are to blame for the mix up, then they should be obligated to get the passenger on the plane home and they can work out the details amongst themselves later. We should lobby politicians and do whatever else we can think of to make this happen. Agree?
Yes
36%
747 votes
No
7%
138 votes
Not Applicable
42%
872 votes
Undecided
16%
343 votes
5.
5.
This just in the morning after I submitted the survey to TW. This is another example of consumer abuse that has now resulted in us cancelling a $8K " trip of a lifetime" we were planning. There are too many things that can go wrong these days and the airlines have no interest in fixing them. I will do whatever I can on surveys, travel blogs etc. to get these companies to behave better and hope other consumers will do the same rather than just excepting it, or causing a scene at the airport. Will you do the same? (https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/another-bc-couple-reports-being-denied-boarding-then-listed-as-no-shows-by-airline-10733078)
Yes
23%
473 votes
No
8%
169 votes
Undecided
19%
409 votes
Not Applicable
50%
1049 votes
COMMENTS