CONSUMER ADVOCACY | Consumer Rescue

Sandra O'Leary sold refundable tours to see Greenland's glaciers, but changed the terms after their cruise ship never made it to the world's largest island.

Cruise excursion operator still owes customers thousands. So why is she on Airbnb?

September 29, 2026September 28, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

An independent cruise excursion operator has resurfaced after a two-year hiatus. Sandra O’Leary, of the now-shuttered Sandra’s Cruise Tours, still owes former customers thousands of dollars. Not surprisingly, those people are particularly infuriated by her sudden appearance on Airbnb and Viator selling guided day tours in Newfoundland.

So, has O’Leary turned over a new leaf? Will she finally repay the money she owes? Or is this just her next chapter?

New Orleans porch pirates stole this Amazon delivery.

Porch pirates stole my iPad delivery. Will Amazon refund my $400?

September 29, 2026September 14, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

A New Orleans college student ordered a cute pink iPad ahead of the new semester on Amazon. Unfortunately, brazen porch pirates stole the package containing the device just 45 minutes after the driver delivered it.

Now Tarionne Smith is contacting Consumer Rescue for help. She says Amazon initially promised her a $400 refund for the stolen iPad, but now refuses.

So does Amazon refund customers if porch pirates steal their booty?

Vantage Travel customer claims are being challenged in Boston bankruptcy court this month.

Bankrupt Vantage Travel customer claims are being challenged. Here is why

September 28, 2026September 6, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

Last week, 100 former customers of bankrupt Vantage Deluxe World Travel received startling news that their claims are being challenged. Immediately, the panicked requests for clarity and assistance began rolling into the Consumer Rescue helpline.

A passenger canceled his nonrefundable KLM flight to Uganda before the airline did. Is he owed a refund?

A canceled KLM flight, Ebola fears and $9,188 on the line. Can we help?

August 21, 2026August 20, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

When Ebola broke out last May in Uganda, Isador Lieberman immediately canceled his upcoming KLM flight to Entebbe. He says a KLM agent assured him that, under the circumstances, the airline would refund his nonrefundable $9,188 ticket.

But two months later, KLM gave Lieberman a new assurance — it only owed him $146 for the flight he canceled.

Consumer Rescue and Michelle Couch-Friedman provide free templates and examples of effective complaint letters for consumers.

How to write an effective complaint letter (free template and samples)

August 19, 2026August 14, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

As a consumer advocate who has reviewed, investigated and resolved thousands of problems during the past decade, I know there is a right way — and a wrong way — to write an effective complaint letter. The most effective way to get the outcome you’re hoping for is to keep your message cordial, concise and clear.

To help you do that on your next problem-solving mission, I’ve created a free letter-writing template for you — and some sample letters so you can see this methodology in action.

You’re welcome. 😉

A travel insurance mistake in Italy almost cost a family $16,000 — until they asked Consumer Rescue for help.

A “little” travel insurance mistake cost this family $19K — or will it?

September 24, 2026August 3, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

A common travel insurance mistake caused a reader’s entire $19,000 claim to be rejected. Here’s what Consumer Rescue did to help and what you need to know to avoid making the same error.

11 ways Michelle Couch-Friedman and Consumer Rescue know that cruise passengers get denied board — straight from her case files.

11 ways cruise passengers get denied boarding (straight from my case files)

September 7, 2026July 26, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

There’s no doubt that getting denied boarding a cruise you’ve been eagerly anticipating for months — maybe even years — is traumatic.

My case files are filled with the distraught pleas for help from cruisers who’ve experienced it firsthand. In nearly all cases, the situation could have been avoided had the traveler done some basic research.

Here are the top ways cruise passengers get denied boarding and what you can do to avoid the same

A soccer fan bought an expensive ticket to the World Cup Final on StubHub, but never received it.

This World Cup fan paid $10,767 for a ghost ticket. Here’s how we brought it to life

August 14, 2026July 19, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

World Cup super fan Yoshua Quinones snagged a ticket to the final game. At least that’s what his $10,767 receipt from StubHub said. But three months later, with the big event quickly approaching, his FIFA account was still empty.

Hilton increased the price of a family's hotel room six months after they prepaid for the reservation.

Hilton increased the price of our hotel room by $1,800. Is this legal?

August 2, 2026July 7, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

Two days before Lance Sathoff’s family was scheduled to leave for their Mexican vacation, they received a disturbing email. The message from Hilton informed the Sathoffs that the rate of their prepaid, all-inclusive hotel room had increased by $1,800. According to Hilton, they would need to pay that upcharge at check-in.

That Punchbowl invitation might look festive, but there's no party. It's a phishing scam.

Surprise! Here’s your Punchbowl invitation — to a scam

September 29, 2026June 28, 2026 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

If you receive a Punchbowl invitation for a friend’s event, don’t rush out to buy a new party dress just yet. That festive invite could just be part of a dangerous phishing scam.

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