INDEX

abusive behaviour, 150 senseless airline rules, 163–165 AC Jazz, 174 terms and conditions of carriage, 171, 172 AcceleRate Financial, 13 tickets and reservations, 171 account application form, 83–84, 86 weather and third party acts, 174 accountants, 89 airport terminals, 172 Aceto, Peter, 45 Alberta, 272 Achieva Financial, 13 allergies, 174 acts of God, 174 Alliance Data Systems Corp., 195 ADR Chambers Banking Ombuds Offi ce, 193 , 12 Advantage Car & Truck Rentals, Amazon, 109, 213 198–199 Amazon Rewards Card, 29 advice, 82–84, 265–266 , 210, 215 Aeroplan, 172, 194–197 American Express Canada, 270 age, 18, 19, 21–22 American Express Costco Platinum Cash Rebate agreements Card, 32 credit card agreements, 39–40 American Express Gold Rewards, 190 savings account agreement, 16–17 anger, 262 Aimia Inc., 195 anti-spyware soft ware, 219 Air Canada, 159, 160, 164, 170, 172, 174, antifraudcentre.ca, 216 176–177, 195, 196 antivirus soft ware, 219 Air Miles, 172, 194–197 Apple, 119, 120, 230, 232, 258 Air Transat, 164 AppleCare, 232 airlines, 156 askross.ca, 74 see also travel asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP), 92 bumping, 164–165, 171 authenticity, 162 cancellations, 173 authorized retailer, 214 cargo rates, 171 automatic banking machine (ABM), 15, 19, 29, code of conduct, 173 56, 58 complaints, 170–172,COPYRIGHTED 174 automatic MATERIAL renewals, 223–225 damaged luggage, 159–162 Avis Budget, 200 delays, 173 denied boarding, 171 baggage. See luggage fl ight disruptions, 171 baggage insurance policy, 169 Flight Rights, 173–175 bandwidth, 113 luggage issues. See luggage (BMO), 5, 18, 22 overbooking, 164–165, 173 Bank of Nova Scotia. See passenger fares and charges, 171 Banking Package Selector Tool, 19 refusal to transport, 171 BankNerd.ca, 33, 58

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 228181 008/11/128/11/12 33:36:36 PPMM 282 Index

banks, 1–3 Bosley, Aneurin, 116, 117–118 and account information or verifi cation Bothered by My Green Conscience (James), 263 emails, 219 Boukydis, Debbie, 156, 166–169 agreements, 16–17, 39–40 Brick, Paul, 52 , 5 Bridgewater Bank, 11 business owners, 63–65 British Airways, 170 complaint handling process (CHP), 57 British Columbia, 272 credit cards. See credit cards Brown, Carole and Ken, 191 deposit insurance, 12 Budget, 199, 258 discounts, 18, 21–23 builders, 246–247 foreign exchange conversion fees, 27–29 bumping, 164–165, 171 getting the best service, 60–62, 63–65 bundle discounts, 104, 109, 141 hold periods, 56, 59 business owners, 63–65 interest rates. See interest rates business plan, 63 know your rights, 55–57 looking beyond the big banks, 11–14 cable TV service, 116–119 low-cost account packages, 18–19 Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, 12 mortgages, 45–54 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 53 online banks, 12, 13 Canada Revenue Agency outsmarting the banks, 58–59 complaints, 95, 101 preauthorized debit withdrawals, 57 CRA agent identifi cation, 100 RRSPs and other registered plans, 1, 24–26 fi ght back against, 93–95, 99–102 savings accounts. See savings accounts penalty for breaking a mortgage, 48 service charges, 1, 18–20 tax-free savings account (TFSA), 69, 96–98 smaller banks, 20 Taxpayer Bill of Rights, 99–102 two-pronged strategy, 8, 9–10 Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, 216 Barber, Ken, 234 Canadian Association of Movers, 253 Barclay, Linwood, 203 Canadian Capitalist blog, 25 B2B Trust, 11 Canadian High Interest Savings Bank Accounts, Beacon score, 72 14 Bell Canada, 103, 106, 111, 113, 258, 259 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. See Bell Mobility, 125, 131–132, 135–136, 138 CIBC Best Buy, 213, 214–215, 220, 229 Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan, 234, Better Business Bureau, 247, 254, 255 238 betterbidding.com, 184 Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications bidding war clause, 248–249 Commission (CRTC), 111–113, 125, 126, biddingtraveler.com, 184 147–148, 153 big-dollar purchases, 233–235 Canadian television networks, 118 car leasing charges, 241–244 Canadian Tire, 202, 206 car purchases, 234, 238–240 Canadian Tire Bank, 12 energy utility, 234, 250–252 Canadian Tire Cash Advantage MasterCard, 32 houses, 234, 246–247 Canadian Transportation Agency, 163, 164, moving companies, 234–235, 253–256 170–172, 174 phony real estate bidding war, 248–249 Canadian Wireless Telecommunications bilingual services, 172 Association, 125, 129, 137–138, 139 blogs, 264–265 canadianmortgagetrends.com, 47 see also personal fi nance bloggers Canadians for Properly Built Homes, 234, 246 BMO. See Bank of Montreal (BMO) cancellation fees, 104, 124–125, 127–129 BMO Air Miles MasterCard, 190 Cannex, 6 BMO Mastercard, 191–192 Capital One Aspire Cash World MasterCard, BMW Financial Services, 242, 243 32–33, 190 Boone, Jacqueline, 198–199 Capital One SmartLine Platinum MasterCard, 36

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 282282 008/11/128/11/12 3:363:36 PMPM Index 283

car leasing charges, 241–244 Competition Act, 220 car rental companies, 198–200 Competition Bureau, 138, 172, 217, 221–222, 222 carbon copy, 150, 262 complaint letters, 258, 261–262 CARP, 191 complaints carriers, 234–235, 253–256 air travel, 170–172, 174 Carroll, Dave, 156, 159–162, 163 banks, 62, 63–64 cars, 233–235 Canada Revenue Agency, 95, 101 car leasing charges, 241–244 investment advisers, 86–87 car not operating properly, 238–240 investor complaint approach, 90–91 independent diagnostic testing, 240 premium text messages, 139 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) retailers, 221–222 parts, 238 telecommunications, 128, 129, 147–151, 152 rental cars, 198–200 timeliness, 149 scheduled maintenance program, 238 compromise, 149 cash back, 30, 33, 54 Concentra Financial, 11 CBC News, 200 Consumer Checklist for Choosing a Moving CBS, 118 Company, 256 Celebrity Cruises, 156, 166–169 Consumer Protection Act, 131 CellClients.com, 123 consumer protection legislation, 255 CellOut.ca, 123 Consumer Reports, 110, 111, 225, 232 cellphones.ca, 132 content, 162 CellPlanDepot.com, 123 continuity billing, 211 Cellplanexpert.ca, 141 contract law, 129 CellSwapper.com, 123 Cooperstock, Jeremy, 258–259 CFP (certifi ed fi nancial planner), 82–83 court, 128, 157 charges. See fees see also small claims court Chase Cards, 29 courts, 257–259 ChatR, 103 credit balance insurance, 41–44 children, 18 credit bureau reports. See credit report CIBC, 5, 18, 22, 27–28, 38–40 Credit Card Navigator, 190 CIBC Aerogold Infi nite Visa, 190 credit cards CIBC Cardholder Agreement, 39–40 and automatic renewals, 225 CIBC Dividend One MasterCard, 32 balance transfers, 38–40 CIBC Dividend Visa, 32 banks, 2, 30–34 CIBC Mortgages Inc., 46 carrying a balance, 35–37 CityTV.com, 118 credit balance insurance, 41–44 closed mortgages, 45–48 credit card selector tools, 34, 36 co-signing, 80 disputing a charge, 81 code of conduct foreign exchange conversion fees, 27–29 airlines, 173 fraud, 61 mortgages, 46 gym membership payments, 227 scanner price accuracy code, 222 low rates, 35–37, 59 wireless companies, 129 personal identifi cation number (PIN), 211–212 collection, 81 purchase protection plan, 229 collision damage waiver (CDW), 198 recurring payments, 210–211 Commissioner for Complaints for for retail purchases, 209–212 Telecommunications Services, 128, 129, reversal of transaction, 209–212 139, 147, 152 rewards and benefi ts, 30–34 Commissioner of Offi cial Languages, 172 U.S. dollar credit card, 29 communication skills, 257–259, 261–262 waiver of fee, 59 comparasave.com, 190 zero-deductible collision coverage, 198 comparecellular.com, 132 zero liability guarantee, 209–212, 215

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 283283 008/11/128/11/12 3:363:36 PMPM 284 Index

credit counselling agencies, 62 double opt-in system, 137, 139 credit report, 55–56, 61–62, 68–69 Dove, Kevin, 28 checking your credit report, 71–73 DSL Reports, 105 correcting errors on, 74–76 Dubé, J. Paul, 69, 97, 99 healthy credit history, 80–81 dynamic currency conversion, 29 repairing your credit history, 77–79 third party inquiries, 78 e-mail address, 121–122 credit score, 71–73 Eaton’s, 202 credit watch service, 76 Edmonston, Phil, 276–277 CreditCards.com, 211 eff ective complaint letters, 258, 261–262 CTV.ca, 118 Ejbich, Anna, 94 Cuba, 179–180 electricity, 234 currency conversion fees, 27–29 Elliott, Christopher, 181–182, 258, 261, 271 Cut My Costs Inc., 142 Ellyn Law LLP, 272 Cyrstal Glass, 200 emergencies, 110–111 emergency scam, 275 damaged luggage, 159–162 Emigrants and Income Tax, 95 data roaming charges, 133–136, 143 emotions, 268–269 DataScan Field Services, 241 Empirica, 72 Davidson, Ian, 278 Enbridge Gas Distribution, 250, 251 Death Grip, 104 end-of-lease insurance, 243–244 death threat, 257 Energy Gas Distribution, 234 debit card fraud, 61 energy utility, 234, 250–252 Debt Coach Canada, 72 Engen, Robb, 196 Dedman, Derek, 235, 254 Equifax, 55, 68, 71, 72, 74–75 defective on arrival, 213–214 equipment protection plans, 140 defective products, 206, 207 Esso, 195 denied boarding, 171 European Union, 164, 182 Department of Foreign Aff airs and Everett, Neil, 195 International Trade, 177 evidence, 165, 197, 261, 267–268, 277 deposit broker, 11–14 Expedia, 181, 182, 192 Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba Expedia for TD, 182 (DGCM), 13 experts, 265 deposit insurance, 12 expiry dates, 131–132, 156 Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario extended warranty, 31, 229–232 (DICO), 12 Didi, Tomas, 220 Facebook, 92 Digest of Taxpayer Service Rights, 102 Fair Isaac & Co. (FICO), 72 Digital Home, 119 Fast Pass TV, 118 Direct Energy, 257 Fasulo, Tony, 176–177 Discount Car Rentals, 258 fax, 228 discounted rate plans, 104 faxed off er process, 249 discounts fcac.gc.ca, 15 banks, 18, 21–23 FedEx, 258 bundle discounts, 104, 109, 141 fees loyalty to demand, 26 balance transfer fee, 38 seniors, 18, 19, 21–22 bank service charges, 1, 18–20 telecom discounts and promotions, 122 cancellation fees, 104, 124–125, 127–129 DiversityCanada Foundation, 131 data roaming charges, 133–136, 143 do-it-yourself investing, 68 foreign exchange conversion fees, 27–29 documentation, 50, 76, 88, 100, 148, 165, 261, 268 network access fee, 121 door-to-door energy representatives, 251–252 overage fees, 134, 144

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 284284 008/11/128/11/12 3:363:36 PMPM Index 285

restocking fees, 202, 207, 208, 214 Gripevine, 161 RRSPs and other registered plans, 24–26 gym membership, 226–228 shipping fee, 213, 214 transfer fees, 25 Hanrahan, Daniel, 167 withdrawal fees, 15, 24, 29 Harper, Stephen, 111 Fido, 103 Harry Rosen, 201 Filion, Agatha, 214–215 Havelock, Ray, 190 fi nances, 67–69 high-defi nition antenna, 116–119 account application form, 83–84, 86 higherinterestsaving.ca, 131 bad fi nancial advice, 82–84 HigherInterestSavings.ca, 14 Canada Revenue Agency, 93–95 Home Depot, 213, 278 credit reports. See credit report Home Hardware, 195 do-it-yourself investing, 68 home maintenance company, 210 losses on unsuitable investments, 90–92 home phone service, 108–111, 121 the right investments, 85–87 home warranty, 246 rights as an investor, 88–89 HomeDepot.ca, 214 tax-free savings account (TFSA), 68–69, Horowitz, Doron, 170 96–98 hotels, 156 fi nancial advisers, 82–84, 85, 86–87 see also travel Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, 15, 18, booking online, 181–183 19, 31, 36, 42, 46, 72 unused hotel rooms, refund on, fi nancial institutions. See banks 184–185 Financial Services Commission of Ontario, 187 Hotels.com, 182 fi ne print, 214 Hotmail, 122 First Ontario , 12 Hotwire, 155, 181, 182, 183, 184 fi tness club, 210, 224, 226–228, 278 house purchases, 233–235 Flight Rights, 173–175 construction defects, 247 fl owers, 215 moving companies, 253–256 Ford Canada, 234, 276 newly built home, 246–247 foreign exchange conversion fees, 27–29 phony bidding wars, 248–249 fraud, 61, 216, 218–219 Howard Forums, 105, 122 Frei, Rosemary, 182 HSBC, 18 Frugal Trader, 130 HTC One X smart phone, 123 furnace contractors, 224 Hubert Financial, 13 Future Shop, 213, 221, 229, 230–231 humour, 162, 271 Hunter, Brian, 92 Galpin, Jim, 199–200 GE Appliances, 231 ICICI Bank Canada, 12 Geek.com, 141 income tax. See Canada Revenue Agency Genworth Financial, 53 independent cellphone provider, 152 Gerlock, Sheila, 191 independent ISP, 152 GlobalTV.com, 118 Indigo Books, 213 Gmail, 122 Industry Canada, 256 Go Public, 200 ING , 12, 19, 24 Good Practice Guidelines for Canadian Movers, ING Direct, 45 256 insurance Goodman, Adam, 213–214 baggage insurance policy, 169 Goulart, Matt, 58 from banks, 2 Government of Canada cheque, 55 credit balance insurance, 41–44 grandparent scam, 275, 276 end-of-lease insurance, 243–244 Great Britain, 44 moving companies, 255 Green, Paul, 234, 250 travel insurance. See travel insurance

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 285285 008/11/128/11/12 3:363:36 PMPM 286 Index

insurance company, 156, 157, 224 Koodo, 103 insureye.com, 190 Korcok, Milan, 186 Interest Act, 47, 53 interest rate diff erential (IRD), 45 land line, 108–111 interest rates, 1–2 late payments, 80 comprehensive list of, 6 Laurentian Bank, 18 credit cards, 35 Lawford, John, 147 deposit broker, 11–14 lawn care companies, 224 getting higher rates, 5–7, 11–14, 15–17 lawyers, 89, 128, 157, 272–274 mortgages, 59 Le Blanc, Jack and Liz, 230 promotional rates, 37 lease-end tactics, 244 savings accounts, 5–7, 8–10 leasing charges, 241–244 when bank cuts interest rate, 8–10 Lee Valley Tools, 201 Internet Leger Marketing, 201 fl owers, 215 lemonfordescape.com, 234 Internet-based phone system, 108–111 Lepp, Bob, 120 online banks, 12, 13 Little Black Book of Scams, 217 online fraud, 218–219 long-distance calls, 108, 121 online hotel bookings, 181–183 lost luggage, 166–169 online mileage malls, 197 low-cost account packages, 18–19 online purchases, 213–215, 216–217 loyalty, 6, 10, 26 scams, 216–217 loyalty department, 105, 121, 149 secure browser, 217, 218 loyalty programs, 172, 194–197 Internet Explorer, 218 luggage Internet service, 111–115 baggage insurance policy, 169 investment advisers, 82–84, 85, 86–87 complaints, 171 Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of damaged luggage, 159–162 Canada, 91 Flight Rights, 173 Investment Loss Recovery Group, 88 liability limits, 164, 171, 175 investments lost luggage, 166–169 do-it-yourself investing, 68 period for reporting damage, 163 investor complaint approach, 90–91 Lukacs, Gabor, 163, 164, 171 losses on unsuitable investments, 90–92 Lustig, Iris, 192 the right investments, 85–87 rights as an investor, 88–89 Macintosh computers, 232 iTunes, 119, 120 magazines, 224 Magee, Christine, 203 James, Franke, 258, 263–266 MagicJack PLUS, 110 Jensen, Chelsea, 182 Maker, Howard, 129 Johnston, Brent, 134 Manitoba, 104, 125, 129, 272 Jones, Earl, 82, 91 Manitoba credit unions, 13 manufacturer’s warranty, 231 kanetix.ca, 193 Manulife, 192, 193 Kelly, Brian, 197 , 12 Kenmar, 90 Marilovic, Stefan, 278 Kestenberg, Sylvia, 275–276 market segmentation, 8 Keung, Peter, 14, 131 Marketplace, 22, 41, 44, 114, 201–202, 203 Kidd, Shannon, 220, 221, 230–231 Marriott Rewards Premier Visa, 29 Kinsman, Doug, 223, 224 Marsh, Mike, 276 Kivenko, Ken, 90 MasterCard Canada, 210, 215 “know-your-client” (KYC) form, 83–84, 86 MAXA Financial, 13 Knowing the Rules, 97 MBNA Gold MasterCard, 36

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 286286 008/11/128/11/12 3:363:36 PMPM Index 287

MBNA Smart Cash Platinum Plus MasterCard, National Bank, 18 32–33 National Bank Syncro MasterCard, 36 McAfee, 223, 224 National Geographic, 271 McGale, Al, 127–128 natural gas, 234 McLister, 47 NBC, 118 McNeill, Vernon, 13 negative option billing, 2 McPhail, Dana and Brian, 211 Netfl ix, 118 media, contacting the, 10 netTALK DUO, 110 mediation, 279 network access fee, 121 Melville, Douglas, 60, 85 New Brunswick, 272 mental distress, 272, 278 Newfoundland, 104, 129, 272 Mercedes Financial, 244 newly built home, 246–247 merchandise rewards, 30, 33 newspapers, 224 Merdian, 12 Niedzviecki, Orie, 258, 272 Mexico, 176–177 Non-Residents and Income Tax, 95 Miller, Linda, 276 Northwest Territories, 272 Million Dollar Journey blog, 32–33, notes. See documentation 34, 130 Nova Scotia, 104, 129, 272 MINI Financial Services, 234, 241–244 Nunavut, 272 misleading advertising, 221–222 mobile banking, 58 Offi ce of Consumer Aff airs, 256 mobile Internet, 115 Offi ce of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman, 69, 101 Mobilicity, 152 Offi cial Languages Act, 172 Modesto, Grace, 45 OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance, MoneySense calculator, 32 157, 193 MoneySense credit card tool, 34, 36 Ombudsman for Banking Services and MoneySense magazine, 36 Investments (OBSI), 60, 62, 64, 83, 87, 91, 193 Montreal Convention, 165, 171, 175 online banks, 12, 13 Moody, Stephen, 234, 238 online fraud, 218–219 Morgan, Heather, 142, 144 online hotel bookings, 181–183 mortgage broker, 48 online mileage malls, 197 Th e Mortgage Centre, 52 online purchases, 213–215, 216–217 mortgages Ontario, 104, 129, 272 blend and extend, 46 Ontario Highway Traffi c Act, 254–255 “cash-back” off ers, 54 onyoursi.de/wiki, 262 closed mortgages, 45–48 Ooma, 109–110 code of conduct, 46 opaque pricing system, 181, 184 early payment, and interest penalties, open mortgages, 45, 47, 53 52–54 OpenMedia, 111, 113, 126, 152, 153 interest rate, 59 opportunity costs, 221 mortgage payout statement, 52 Orbitz, 182 mortgage penalty, 45–48, 49–51, 57 otacanada.com, 117 open mortgages, 45, 47, 53 Outlook Financial, 13 portability, 46, 53 over-contributions, 96–98 prepayment privileges, 46, 47, 53 over-the-air (OTA) TV, 116–119 unreasonable penalties, 45–48 overage fees, 134, 144 variable-rate mortgages, 47 overbooking, 164–165, 173 moving companies, 234–235, 253–256 Moyer, Russ, 135–136 Palmer, Robert, 177 MPs. See politicians paralegals, 272 Multicities Movers, 258 paranoia, 150 Mutual Fund Dealers Association, 91 Passport Canada, 177–178

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 287287 008/11/128/11/12 3:363:36 PMPM 288 Index

passports, 176–178 records. See documentation patience, 267–269, 271 recurring payments, 210–211 PC Mobile, 130, 131 RedFlagDeals, 122 penalties. See fees; mortgages refund policies, 202, 205–208 Peoples Trust Co., 12 refusal to transport, 171 persistence, 267–269, 271 Registered Deposit Brokers Association, 11 personal fi nance bloggers, 25, 32–33, 34, 130, registered disability savings plan (RDSP), 25 196, 213–214 registered education savings account (RESP), 25 personal trainers, 227 registered retirement savings plan, 1, 24–26 Petro-Canada Mobility, 130, 131, 132 Registration of Canadians Abroad, 178 phony real estate bidding war, 248–249 renewals, automatic, 223–225 Pichelli, Anthony, 88 rental cars, 198–200 Pigg, Susan, 168–169 research, 140, 142, 261–262 Pinto, Lindsey, 113–114, 152 Resolving Your Dispute: Objection and Appeal PlayStation Network, 119 Rights under the Income Tax Act, 98 Th e Points Guy, 197 restocking fees, 202, 207, 208, 214 politeness, 262, 271 retail services, 201–203 politicians, 128–129, 153 automatic renewals, 223–225 Porritt, Kathy, 192 complaints, 221–222 Pottery Barn Kids, 28 credit card, paying with, 209–212 Power, Vincent, 207–208 defective products, 206, 207 Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI), 246 extended warranty, 229–232 pre-existing condition, 187, 192–193 gym membership, 226–228 predatory pricing, 172 online fraud, 218–219 premium text messages, 137–139 online purchases, 213–215, 216–217 prepaid wireless plan, 130–132 pricing error, 220–222 preparation, 267–269 refund policies, 202, 205–208 prescription drugs, 179–180 restocking fees, 202, 207, 208, 214 President’s Choice Bank, 12, 19 scanner price accuracy code, 222 President’s Choice Financial MasterCard, 28, 190 retention department, 105, 121, 149 Prevail Business Consulting, 226 return policies. See refund policies Priceline, 155, 181, 182–183, 184–185 Reward Canada, 34 pricing error, 220–222 Rexall/Pharma Plus, 195 Prince Edward Island, 272 roaming charges, 133–136, 143 privacy, 141, 207 Robellus, 120 pro-Internet community, 153 , 103, 113, 114, 125, Prosper, Cassie, 223–224 127–129, 138, 140 provincial deposit insurance organization, 12 Rogers LTE network, 123 Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), 147 Rogers Sportsnet, 118 public opinion, 263–266 Roseman, Ellen, 242, 243, 264, 271 purchase assurance, 31 Ross, Nicholas, 226 Putnam, Eric, 72–73 (RBC), 5, 18, 20, 22, 193 RRSP. See registered retirement savings plan Quebec, 104, 124–125, 129, 272 Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP, 131 Rau, Neil, 234, 241 safety deposit boxes, 19 RBC. See Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Samlal, Lynn, 190–191 RBC Insurance, 191 Samsung, 214–215 RBC Rewards Visa Preferred, 191 Sang, Garvin Hoo, 221 RBC Visa Infi nite Avion, 191 Sankar, Celia, 131–132 real estate. See house purchases sarcasm, 150, 271 rear projection micro-display TVs, 232 Sarner, Robert, 170 recordings, 50, 165 Saskatchewan, 272

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 288288 008/11/128/11/12 3:363:36 PMPM Index 289

satellite TV service, 116–119 , 13 Savings Account Selector Tool, 15 Stop the Meter campaign, 111, 113, 152 savings accounts Stop the Squeeze campaign, 126 account agreement, 16–17 streaming TV shows, 118 getting higher interest rates, 5–7, 15–17 students, 18, 21 questions to ask, 15 subscription scams, 137–139 two-pronged strategy, 8 Symantec, 223, 224 when bank cuts interest rate, 8–10 Scammed (Elliott), 261 tax-free savings account (TFSA), 25, 68–69, scams 96–98 continuity billing, 211 Taxpayer Bill of Rights, 99–102 emergency scam, 275 Taxpayer Bill of Rights Guide, 95 grandparent scam, 275, 276 Taxpayers’ Ombudsman, 95, 97, 99, 102 online fraud, 218–219 Taylor, Ross, 74, 77, 80 online scams, 216–217 TD Canada Trust. See Toronto-Dominion (TD subscription scams, 137–139 Canada Trust) scanner price accuracy code, 222 TD Emerald VISA, 36 Scotia Momentum Visa Infi nite Card, 32, 33 Tech Terms, 133 Scotiabank, 5, 12, 18, 22 telecom costs, 103–104 Scotialine Visa, 36 better service, 120–122 SeaBoard Group, 104 bundle discounts, 104, 109, 141 Sears Canada, 202, 207–208, 231 cable TV service, 116–119 Sears Financial, 29 cancellation fees, 104, 124–125, 127–129 self-directed RRSP, 25 cut your telecom costs, 142–146 seniors, 18, 19, 21–22 data roaming charges, 133–136, 143 service charges, 1, 18–20 discounted rate plans, 104 7-Eleven, 131 discounts and promotions, 122 Shannon, Sean, 183 eff ective telecommunications complaints, shipping fee, 213, 214 147–151 Shoppers Drug Mart, 207 fi ght back against big telecom, 152–153 Shopping for Travel Medical Insurance, 187 getting the best value, 140–141 short code messages (SMS), 137–139 hardware subsidy recovery, 124–125 SideReel, 118 home phone service, 108–111, 121 SIM card, 134, 143 Internet service, 111–115 Siskinds LP, 46 long-distance calls, 108, 121 Skype, 110 long-term contracts, 103–104, 105–106, 123 Sleep Country, 203 negotiation of better rates, 105–107 slow Internet service, 114 online access to account, 106, 113 small claims court, 192–193, 259, 272, 275–279 premium text messages, 137–139 Small Investor Protection Association (SIPA), 90 prepaid wireless plan, 130–132 Smith, Scott, 258 recurring payments, 210 Smith, Scott A.E., 270 refund policies, 106 social media, 92, 161–162, 203, 234, 258, save money on telecom bills, 120–122 264–265, 270–271 usage-based billing (UBB), 111 Solo Mobile, 103, 131 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), 108–111 Somerville, Karen, 234, 246 wireless phone with no contract, 123–126 Sony PlayStation 3, 119 Telus, 103, 125, 134, 138 Sousa, Mark, 182 text message subscriptions, 137–139 SpeakOut Wireless, 130, 131, 132 threats, 150, 151, 257 speakoutwireless.ca, 14, 131 Th reshold app, 134 Speedtest, 114 TigerDirect, 109 Speedy Auto Glass, 200 Timmins, Barbara, 9 Star Alliance, 160, 196 Tjaden, Ted, 174

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 289289 008/11/128/11/12 3:363:36 PMPM 290 Index

Toronto-Dominion (TD Canada Trust), 5, 8–9, unused minutes, 131–132 18, 19, 22, 24, 182, 193, 211–212, 258 UPS, 258 Toronto Star, 6, 168, 170, 182, 242, 243, 271 usage-based billing (UBB), 111 tour companies, 156, 172 usage trackers, 141 Trane Canada, 278 user-generated reviews, 183 transfer fees, 25 transparency, 114, 153 variable-rate mortgages, 47 Transport Canada, 172, 173 vehicles. See car rental companies; cars TransUnion, 55, 68, 71, 72, 74–75 Th e Very Best Mortgage Company Inc., 52 travel, 155–157 Via Rail, 258 airlines. See airlines video game consoles, 119 car rental companies, 198–200 Virgin Mobile, 103, 131 complaints, 170–172 Visa, 210, 215 damaged luggage, 159–162 visas, 178 data roaming charges, 133–136 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), 108–111 dynamic currency conversion, 29 foreign exchange conversion fees, 27–29 Walker, Bill, 192 lost luggage, 166–169 Walker, Kim, 140 online hotel bookings, 181–183 Walmart, 202 prescription drugs, 179–180 Warsaw Convention, 171 travel documents, 176–178 Weatherbee, Mike, 142, 144 travel medical insurance, 157, 186–188 Weisleder, Mark, 234, 248 travel reward points, 30, 33, 34, 155–156, Western Union, 275–276 194–197 WestJet Airlines, 164, 174, 175, 177 trip cancellation insurance, 189–191 Whipp, Ted, 258, 267 trip interruption insurance, 189–191 Wi-Fi networks, 133–134, 143 unused hotel rooms, refund on, 184–185 Williams, Margaret, 93–94 travel insurance, 30, 156–157 WIND Mobile, 130, 132, 152 multi-trip policy, 187 Windsor Star, 267 pre-existing condition, 187, 192–193 wireless services, 129 travel medical insurance, 157, 186–188 see also telecom costs trip cancellation insurance, 189–191 cancellation fees, 104, 124–125, 127–129 trip interruption insurance, 189–191 data roaming charges, 133–136, 143 travel reward points, 30, 33, 34, 155–156, 194–197 long-term contracts, 103–104, 105–106, 123 travelinsurancefi le.com, 186 premium text messages, 137–139 travelinsurancehotline.com, 193 prepaid wireless plan, 130–132 travelinsurancequotes.ca, 193 unlock your phone, 134, 143 Travelocity, 181, 182 wireless phone with no contract, 123–126 trip cancellation insurance, 189–191 withdrawal fees, 15, 24, 29 trip interruption insurance, 189–191 TripAdvisor, 157, 182, 183, 200 Xbox 360, 119 TSN, 118 Twitter, 231, 234, 258, 270–271 Yahoo, 122 Yee, Krystal, 29 Understanding Your Credit Report and Credit Young, Rob, 8–9 Score, 72 YouTube, 118 United Airlines, 28, 156, 159–162, 258, 271 Yukon, 272 United Breaks Guitars (Carroll), 156, 160 United States, 164 Zborowski, Harry, 275 unlock your phone, 134, 143 Zellers, 202, 203 Unoffi cial SpeakOutWireless Consumer Page, 131 zero liability guarantee, 209–212, 215 Untied.com, 258 Zune Marketplace, 119

BBINDEX.inddINDEX.indd 290290 008/11/128/11/12 3:363:36 PMPM