Call for Action success, plus a tax break for seniors

October 3, 2013 (WPVI) -- I got a letter from one of our viewers who was helped by Call for Action. It's so nice that I wanted to share it with you.

It says, in part:

"I would like to thank you and your team for the outstanding support provided to me. It means so much to me because I'm on a fixed income and have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's&. Your team relieved me of the stress that goes with the challenge of confronting a huge company.... I love Channel 6 Call for Action."

So what's behind this heartfelt letter?

Sylvia Canada's refrigerator suddenly stopped working.

"My cooling system just stopped," she said.

It was out of warranty, so she paid the company she bought it from to send out a technician and fix it.

The problem is, the fridge continued to have problems..

"I was absolutely frustrated," said Sylvia. "And I felt cheated, because I gave them cash. I gave them what their charge was, and they didn't service me."

So on top of the $262 service fee down the drain, Canada says she had to throw out hundreds of dollars of food!

"I had no one to complain to because they won't let you talk to a supervisor, and they won't give you their full names or badge numbers," she said.

So Canada called on Call for Action.

"Got me good results," she said.

Canada received a full refund for the service calls PLUS a $75 gift card for the food loss.

"I would recommend Call for Action as an advocate for anyone who's in trouble," she said.

If you need help from Call for Action call 1-866-978-4232 or email CFA.

Or if you'd like to volunteer, call 215-581-5745.

TAX BREAK FOR SENIORS

Senior citizens in Philadelphia, listen up: You may be able to prevent your real estate taxes from ever going up!

The city has a program called the Senior Citizen Tax Freeze, but you have to apply by Tuesday, October 15th.

"So if you or your spouse is 65 or older, you may be eligible," said Karen Buck of the Senior Law Center. "And you may also be eligible if you are over 50 and your deceased spouse was at least 65 at the time of death."

There are also income requirements. You can call the city or the Senior Law Center's help line for more information. The number is 215-988-1242.

It's open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and it's open to any Pennsylvania resident age 60 or older.

"There are no income requirements to call our help line," said Buck. "It provides free legal advice, counseling, information, and referrals."

You can also call the city at 215-686-6442 or 215-686-6600.

SENIOR TAX BREAK LINKS

http://www.phila.gov/Revenue/payments/agreements/Pages/SeniorCitizenPrograms.aspx

seniorlawcenter.org

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call for action, consumer news, nydia han

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