Unemployed People, Union Members Caravan as $600 Federal Boost Ends
A group of unemployed people and union members caravanned Friday to the Trump National Doral resort in hopes of getting the attention of lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
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Submit Tips Or Story Ideas to NBC 6 Responds
Send us your tips or story ideas for NBC 6 Responds! Fill out our online form, or call us at 954-622-6737.
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Fort Lauderale's New Parking Rate Is Adding Up for Some Residents
It’s a price hike that Arnie Palenzuela says he noticed immediately. Parking rates in the City of Fort Lauderdale have increased in some areas. “Where we were spending about $10 a week, now it is going to cost up about $40 to $50 dollars a week to park at the beach,” Palenzuela said. Hourly parking rates throughout the City of…
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Experts Warn of Potential Housing Crisis When Eviction Moratorium Lifted
Many South Floridians are already feeling the pinch of COVID-19 related housing issues. “We haven’t even qualified for rent assistance,“ Mychelle Bentley said. Bentley says throughout this pandemic, she has struggled to pay rent due to a loss of income. “April came in and I was only able to pay half my rent. Then May, i just could... -
South Florida Among Areas With Largest Job Losses
South Florida is among the hardest hit when it comes to job loss, according to new employment data released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
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DEO Launches Online Tool Geared to Help Claimants Locked Out of Accounts
The Department of Economic Opportunity has released a new online tool to help people locked out of their accounts due to suspected fraud.
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State's Unemployment Trust Fund Shows Millions in Earnings Since Pandemic Started
As some Floridians wait for the unemployment money they are owed, the state’s unemployment trust fund earned millions in the second quarter of the year.
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Paycheck Protection Program Extended Through August
The pandemic hit just as Adriana Betancourt was opening her new restaurant, Arigatai Sushi, in North Miami. “It was really tough,” she said. “Unfortunately, we actually had to close the restaurant, which was really sad for my husband and I because we put our hearts and all of our savings in the restaurant.” It was for that reason Adriana said...... -
Florida Lags Behind Other States in Administering Unemployment Help
Technical glitches, system errors, and slow processing of claims caused issues for unemployed people trying to apply for state reemployment assistance prior to the pandemic. But since March, out-of-work people have complained of issues preventing them from getting help during the coronavirus outbreak as well. Months after the pandemic first hit, ... -
National Unemployment Rate Drops to 11.1% in June, Jobless Claims in Fla. Decrease
According to numbers released Thursday, the U.S. economy gained 4.8 million jobs in the month of June, as the national unemployment rate dropped to 11.1%. In Florida, more than 84,000 people filed new unemployment claims last week. That number was about 11,000 fewer than the week before.
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Several Viewers Report Having Difficulty Verifying Identity With DEO
Last month, the DEO released a new online tool to help people who need to verify their identity. But NBC 6 Responds has heard from several viewers who say they haven’t been able to use that tool and are stuck, unable to get the help they need.
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DEO Announces Changes on How to Backdate Unemployment Claims
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has announced changes for unemployed people looking to backdate their unemployment claims. Back in May, the DEO made a web form available so claimants could modify their claim filing date. This action came after people complained for weeks they could not submit applications online using the state’s onl... -
How to Buy a Healthier Granola
Granola can be yummy and packed with healthy nutrients, but some brands are loaded with sugars, fat, and calories. Consumer Reports tells you how to choose one that’ll start your day off right.
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Choosing Healthy Snack Bars for Your Kids
You’re seeing lots of snack bars for kids … smaller, often with more chocolate options than the bars you might grab on the go. The marketing makes it look like they’re healthy. But are they a good choice for your child?
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The Healing Power of Nature
Are you feeling tired and stressed by the pressures of your life? Consumer Reports says that an easy and free way to feel better is to simply open your door and step out into nature.
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Top Insect Repellents for the Summer Months
Wearing an effective insect repellent is an important step against mosquitoes and ticks that can spread diseases like West Nile and Lyme.
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Company Improves Safeguards After Local Families Lose Thousands
Finding a reliable and licensed contractor isn’t always easy. It’s a big reason why some consumers, like Robert Desisto, look to companies to help them find qualified professionals.
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Broward Mayor, Business Leaders To Rebuild Couple's Home Lost in Fire
A Hialeah couple reached out to NBC 6 Responds after a fire destroyed their house. With no insurance or money to fix it, they thought they would never live there again. Months later, community leaders and business owners worked together to deliver the family a surprise.
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NBC 6 Responds Hears From People Seeing Progress on Unemployment Claims
The fight for unemployment benefits is not over for many people in Florida, but NBC 6 Responds is hearing from some who say progress has been made on their claims. James Lofton reached out to NBC 6 Responds two weeks ago. At the time, his unemployment claim status was “Not Registered” and his claim was stuck in the employment verification…... -
More Jobs Are Returning, But Some Are Still Waiting on Unemployment Benefits
Hospitality, leisure and construction are some of the industries that have added new jobs, according to a report released by the Miami-Dade Beacon Council.
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People Now Receiving Unemployment Benefits Have Message for Those Still Waiting
Lisa McGoldrick feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders: “I’m just really thankful that I am able to move on from here until I go back to work.” She says her first unemployment benefits were finally deposited into her bank account this week. “All the people are giving up hope, please don’t give up, and I...
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Florida Unemployment Rate Jumps to 14.5%, Despite Some Reported Job Gains
Newly released state unemployment numbers showed an uptick in the unemployment rate as well as job gains in several industries.
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‘Error Message' Preventing Some From Applying for Federal Unemployment
It’s an issue we told you about weeks ago, but unemployed people trying to apply for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance say they still can’t get it fixed.
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NBC 6 Follows Up With Couple Struggling to Get Unemployment Benefits
Greg Frank and his wife were among the hundreds of thousands of Floridians who became unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When he first spoke with NBC 6 in early May, the couple had spent weeks trying to get unemployment benefits without success.
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Delayed Employment Verification Slowing Down Some Unemployment Claims
Some out-of-work people say their former employers are still waiting to hear from the state’s unemployment agency. It’s a step in the verification process they say is preventing them from receiving benefits.
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DEO: ‘Technology Issues' May Have Impacted Some FPUC Payments
Several people have told NBC 6 Responds their payments of $600 in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, or FPUC, have suddenly stopped – without explanation – in recent weeks.
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Woman Searching for Answers After Unemployed Weeks Are ‘Disqualified'
A South Florida woman is searching for answers after her unemployed weeks were disqualified in the CONNECT system.
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‘Keep Calling': NBC 6 Responds Helps Woman Finally Receive Unemployment Benefits
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor released statistics showing that 31,083 more claims were filed the week ending May 30th than the previous week.
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Employer Verification Slows Down Unemployment Claims for Some
When you apply for unemployment benefits, your claim must go through a verification process. This process includes identity verification, fraud protection, and employer and wage verification. Lindsey Blair says he submitted an application for state unemployment benefits back in March. “It took days to get an application in because the site wa... -
Unemployed Man Says a Technical Glitch Is Keeping Him From Getting Benefits
For some people, it has been months since they first applied for benefits. Thierry Sleszynski, 72, says he applied back in March. “I’ve been going at this since the middle of March. Two and a half months and still it’s like, it’s not working,” Sleszynski said. He says despite submitting the required paperwork needed to qualify for Federal Pandemic.... -
DEO Launches Virtual Waiting Room, Claimants Complain of Added Delay
The Department of Economic Opportunity launched what it calls a “virtual waiting room” for people trying to access the CONNECT portal. When asked about this new step, a DEO spokesperson told NBC 6 in an email, “When CONNECT was developed, it was designed to have 1,000 concurrent users at a time. With the system enhancements put into place over the&... -
DEO Dashboard Data Offers Little Comfort to Those Waiting for Benefits
Andrew Olis has been unable to work since mid-March. “It’s tough,” he said. “It’s all of a sudden you don’t have a paycheck.” Like millions of others, Andrew said the pandemic impacted his work as an independent contractor with a construction company. “All the jobs pretty much stopped,” he said. The former operations manager said he had to turn...... -
Unemployed Hospitality Workers Ask Governor to Pay Their Bills
A group of unemployed people staged a “die-in” protest at Miami Beach demanding Governor Ron DeSantis to help them get their unemployment checks or pay their bills. The protest started as a caravan from the Overtown area to Miami Beach. The group included unemployed hospitality and service workers of UNITE HERE Local 355 and SEIU 32BJ.&... -
Man Walks From South Florida to Tallahassee Raising Awareness on Unemployment Issues
Beau Guyott says he walked from West Palm Beach to Tallahassee to raise awareness about the issues out-of-work people are facing when applying for unemployment benefits. Guyott, who was laid off from his job in the hospitality industry, says he applied for unemployment benefits in March. After waiting weeks for answers from the Department of ... -
Run Out of State Unemployment Benefits? You May Qualify for Additional Help
For Julie Satterley, 2020 has been a difficult year so far. The Oakland Park resident said she was unexpectedly laid off from her job in January, right before the COVID-19 pandemic. “He gave me no information,” she said of her boss. “No reason why.” Since then, Julie said she had been on several interviews but hadn’t gotten an... -
Read the Fine Print to Know If Your Auto Policy Covers Flood Damage
Many people do not know if their auto policy covers damage caused by flood water. Your auto policy more than likely covers flood damage, but in some instances, it is optional and comes with an additional price. To find out if flood damage is covered in your policy, you want to look for the area of your policy that...
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Woman Says She Had to File Her Taxes While Applying for Unemployment Benefits
NBC 6 Responds first interviewed Spring Rice, who is self-employed, in early May. That’s when she said she kept getting the same error message every time she tried to upload documents for her PUA application. On Friday, she told NBC 6 Responds that issue had been resolved. “I’m hanging in there,” she said. So far, Spring said she had received... -
New Unemployment Applications Roll in, Thousands Still Wait for Benefits
Unemployment applications continue to roll in to the state’s unemployment agency, but thousands of people are still waiting to be paid.
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Hialeah Family Who Lost Everything in Fire Gets New Home After Community Responds to NBC 6 Story
A Hialeah family who lost everything in a house fire has cause to celebrate. When the Ferrer family contacted NBC 6 Responds a little over a year ago, our team tried to get them assistance through a Hialeah program, but that city said they didn’t qualify. Not knowing what else could be done, NBC 6 shared their story with our…
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Woman Says She Appealed and Won Unemployment Benefits Ineligibility
The process of applying for Florida’s reemployment assistance program inspired Stephanie Hurst to write a song. “Florida unemployment, not for your enjoyment,” she sang. “Taking days and weeks and months, just to get denied.” The song, which she posted on Twitter, was an outlet for the frustration she was feeling, after losing her job earlier this ... -
Democratic Lawmakers Asking Feds to Study Troubled Unemployment System
Federal and state lawmakers spoke out Friday about Florida’s troubled unemployment system. “My simple message is pay the damn claims. Pay them. If you are worried about fraud, go back and look up that after it’s over with, after you’ve compensated these people,” Florida Sen. Perry Thurston said. As of May 14, the Depar... -
DEO Documents Reveal How Call Takers Are Told to Handle Claimants
People out of work throughout Florida are frustrated by the ongoing problems with the state’s system to file for unemployment. And the call-takers fielding calls are frustrated too. “All of us just want to be able to get it done, get them on their way and get their claims submitted and get them paid,” one call-taker told NBC 6 Res... -
Data Shows Gain in Florida's Unemployment Trust Fund in First Part of April
As many businesses shut down in Florida, the hardships of those directly impacted by the financial crisis caused by COVID-19 became clear through people like Sandra Weir. “It’s beyond frustrating,” she told NBC 6 Responds in late March, when she talked about the difficulty she was having applying for reemployment assistance benefits. “Honestly, I d... -
Key West Man, Others Suing State After Unemployment System Issues
For several years, Michael Freas has earned a living by capturing thousands of special moments through the lens of his camera. Photography, he says, is a passion that has helped him survive on many different levels. “If I hadn’t become a photographer, I’d probably be dead by now,” he said. Michael said he started working as a photographer in.... -
Florida's Unique Unemployment Claims Surpass a Million
For Cintia Guardia, dealing with the uncertainty of her family’s future is the hardest part of being unemployed during the pandemic. “You don’t know if you’re going to keep your roof, how long people are going to go through without you paying them,” Cintia said. Cintia, a licensed massage therapist and mother of two college kids, said she had...... -
Self-Employed and Independent Contractors Struggling to Get Benefits
NBC 6 Responds first interviewed Michael Freas May 1 when the Key West photographer shared his struggles after going from having a steady flow of income to nothing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “All our bills just start adding, adding, adding,” he said. A week later, he told NBC 6 Responds his application for unemployment benefits had fina... -
Miami Man, Pregnant Wife Want Money After Weeks of Waiting for Unemployment Benefits
When Greg Frank lost his job in March, he went online and filed a claim for reemployment assistance. Weeks later, he told NBC 6 Responds he is still waiting for an update. “Every time that I check, the only thing that comes up is my information and it just listed me as pending,” he said. “There’s no other notification.”...
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Florida Workers Deemed Ineligible for State Unemployment Benefits Turned to Federal Assistance
Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity has announced that many out-of-work residents who were deemed ineligible to receive benefits through the department’s website may now qualify for federal assistance. FDEO says, under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, many Floridians that were previously deemed ineligible over th... -
Lawmakers Call for Expansion of Florida's Unemployment Benefits
After being offline for several days, the state’s online unemployment portal is again allowing people to log in. The state’s Department of Economic Opportunity reports because of the work done over the weekend, it has processed nearly 80% of the unique claims that were submitted and nearly 47% of claimants have been paid. “I think... -
Contractors, Gig Workers Now Able to File for Unemployment
Since coronavirus hit, 26 million people across the country have filed for unemployment. It’s estimated that more than one in ten of the claims filed came from Florida. The latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor showed 324,718 more claims were filed last week than the week before. This number does not include the countless people wh... -
Miami Couple Launches Loan Tracking Website
Duncan and Rita MacDonald-Korth have spent several years growing their businesses. Rita owns thepresenteur.com and has worked to develop partnerships with different retailers around the country to feature her pop-up stores. “It’s kind of like a traveling, small boutique,” she said. Duncan has focused on his wealth management newsletter, finsum.com,... -
Hatcheries Report Shortage as People Panic Buy Baby Chicks During COVID-19
It looks like toilet paper and disinfectant wipes aren’t the only things people hoarded during this pandemic. The nation’s biggest chicken hatcheries are reporting they are currently sold out of baby chicks.
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Executive Order Waives ‘Biweekly Check-In' Requirement for Unemployed
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order on Thursday that eliminated a requirement for people who qualify for jobless benefits to recertify their claims every two weeks.
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Florida Could Spend $110M on Unemployment Help
When Jacob Dziorney was furloughed from his job, he says he tried applying for Reemployment Assistance using the online portal – CONNECT. He says he needed to reset his pin, but when he tried calling the Department of Economic Opportunity for help he says he couldn’t get through. “I tried to call in online, but then it told me...... -
Consumer Waiting for Refund Stuck in Limbo
It was supposed to be a special celebration for one of Jessica Pupo’s little superheroes at an indoor activity center in Miami-Dade. “It has everything,” she said. “It has a bounce house, it has rock climbing.” Then COVID-19 hit South Florida, causing the closure of non-essential businesses in Miami-Dade County last month. So Jessica ha... -
Weeks Later, Some Unemployment Applicants Still Haven't Received Benefits
Out-of-work people have complained about hurdles preventing them from submitting their unemployment applications, but even some who have applied say they are still waiting for benefits.
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Fort Lauderdale Couple Upset by City's Property Warning
It wasn’t the notice as much as it was the timing that upset Nicolas Valdivieso and Jeff Gleavey. “Driveways are not important right now,” Gleavey said. “Right now we need to make sure we’re eating, we need to make sure our bills are paid.” They said Valdivieso, a flight attendant, wasn’t working at the moment, leaving them ... -
How to Avoid Getting Scammed From ‘Work at Home' Jobs During Pandemic
If you find yourself suddenly unemployed and at home during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, you might be curious about work-at-home jobs. A search for remote jobs on some of the popular job websites will show thousands of positions for everything from writers to customer service representatives to online teachers – a world Tamara Manning kn... -
Utility Disconnections Suspended Across South Florida
As more businesses temporarily close in Florida, many people are losing their jobs and struggling to pay their bills. But some companies and local agencies have announced some plans to help those affected by the crisis. The Florida Power and Light (FPL) is suspending electrical disconnections and providing payment extensions for customers amid the ... -
Uncertainty Surrounds Those Filing for Unemployment
Christelle Girot Marin had a simple message for state officials last week. “I want them to know they need to fix the website,” she told NBC 6. “At least the website.” On Thursday, she shared an update with NBC 6 – she was finally able to file her application online at 10 p.m. Sunday. “There was a little bit less&... -
Changes Coming to the State's Unemployment Agency
Governor Ron DeSantis announced he signed an executive order to assign more state employees to the Department of Economic Opportunity.
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‘It Needs to Be Revamped': Floridians Frustrated While Filing for Unemployment During Pandemic
As more companies layoff and furlough employees, thousands across Florida are turning to the state for help. But dozens of people say they are having major issues applying for unemployment. State Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez wrote a letter to the Department of Economic Opportunity mentioning everything from “error messages” to glitches he said can... -
Determining the Effective Date of Unemployment Claims
Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity’s website and phone lines have been flooded with hundreds of thousands of calls and tens of thousands of claims in recent weeks, after businesses throughout the state were forced to modify hours or temporarily close because of the coronavirus crisis. Many of the people who suddenly found themselves... -
State Pleads Patience Over Unemployment System Problems
Dozens of others expressed their frustration on the social media pages for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, also known as the DEO, after having trouble with the agency’s phone lines or website.
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Many Reporting Issues Applying for Unemployment Benefits
Whether it’s online or through the phone, many people looking to file for unemployment benefits tell NBC 6 Responds they are having trouble with the system.
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Students With Off-Campus Leases Find Little Relief
Universities and colleges in Florida are voting on offering refunds for some on-campus housing, but the same isn’t happening for those who life off-campus.
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Many in South Florida Lack Access to Broadband Internet
It’s difficult to say exactly how many people are now working from home. But as social distancing becomes the norm, it’s safe to say those who can work from home, do. But in South Florida, not everyone has access to broadband internet – a key resource to make working from home a reality. NBC 6 found 80.9% of households...... -
Unemployment Applications in Florida Are On the Rise
It’s been a few days since Jason Suarez was laid off from his valet job at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport. “I am lucky because I do not have kids, but many coworkers have kids and need to pay their rent, mortgage, cars,” Suarez said. After his upcoming check clears, Suarez doesn’t know how he will pay his bills....... -
What We Can Learn From Professional Cleaning Businesses
As businesses and schools close, owners and administrators are looking to give their facilities a deeper cleaning. “We’re getting more calls… besides the offices that we normally do,” says Elena Peña, owner of the cleaning company, EMP. Elena Peña and Robert Estevez operate two small professional cleaning companies in South Florida and, since... -
Banks Rolling Out Programs to Help Those Financially Impacted by Pandemic
As businesses and government leaders take action to try to contain the spread of the coronavirus, some workers are already taking a financial hit. “Get out in front of it,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for BankRate.com. According to McBride, banks already have programs in place to help consumers. They are the types of relief p... -
Want to Avoid In-Store Shopping? Here Are Some Options
With a simple click or a tap on your phone, you can order nearly anything these days without moving from your chair. It’s a trend that’s on the rise, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to increase across the country and in South Florida. Concern over exposure to the virus isn’t limited to people considered high-... -
Hard-To-Find Products Could Cost More
Online and in-store, hand sanitizers were in high demand Friday as concern over the coronavirus continues to rise. NBC 6 Responds found Whole Foods offering 2-hour delivery for a bottle of hand sanitizer online, so we went to the nearest Whole Foods and found the same product on the shelves. The other three retailers NBC 6 visited Friday... -
Why You May Want To Consider Booking Travel Now
Concerns over the coronavirus are causing some travelers to reconsider their plans, canceling flights and hotel reservations around the country. Some hotels in South Florida are already feeling the impact and that could mean deep discounts for consumers looking for a staycation. “Greater Miami and the beaches are open for visitors,̶... -
Thinking of Refinancing? Read This First
For the first time since the 2008 financial crisis, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark borrowing rate by half a percentage point Tuesday. Experts say the move could mean big savings for those looking to get a new car loan or simply wanting to get their finances in order. “It’s good news if you have credit card debt because it…
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Woman Wants Safety Checks for Pet Toys After Cat's Eye Hurt
It’s estimated that the pet toy market is a billion-dollar business, yet as one cat owner learned, there is very little safety oversight on many of these products. Cat owner Christina Phillipis says her cat Mochie was injured while playing in her favorite cat tunnel. “She was playing in her cat tunnel, zipping around in the morning like she...... -
To Combat Bad Tippers, More Restaurants Adding Service Charge
Many restaurants are now adding a service charge to a patron’s bill saying some people don’t tip, but just how much of that money goes back to the servers? Jose Fernandez says he was enjoying dinner with his wife and friends at Old’s Havana Restaurant until the check arrived. “I’ve been in Miami 28 years and this had... -
NBC 6 Responds Tracks Down Missing Packages That Never Made It to Cuba
Dozens of people in South Florida say they paid several shipping companies to send products like AC units, scooters and other electronics to family in Cuba, but the items never arrived. The NBC6 Responds and Telemundo 51 Responde teams have been tracking the shipments for over a year and located some of the missing items.
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Family Wants Answers After Dog's Mysterious Death During Hired Walk
Angela Composto’s Yorkshire Terrier, Bella, died in October after going for a walk with a hired dog walker. “She walked out okay and came back dead,” Composto said. Composto used the dog sitting app Wag! to schedule a sitter for her dogs while she was out of town. Security cameras captured the beginning of the walk. The video shows...
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Broward County Man Calls Attention to ‘Bad Service' by Paratransit Bus Service
It’s a service geared to help the elderly and disabled get around town, but one family says they can’t rely on the Broward County Transportation Options Program called “TOPS.” The TOPS service offers paratransit and bus passes for those in need. Denis Herrmann says those buses represented a much-needed service to help with his aging mother. “My mot... -
Woman Fights for Refund After Surgery
For Sandra Solazzo, 2018 was a difficult year. She lost her mother in July and had a hysterectomy in October after doctors made an alarming discovery. “They found out that I had a fibroid on the back of my uterus the size of a melon,” Sandra said. The surgery went well and more than a year later, she had recovered...
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Workers Fighting for Paychecks They Say They Earned
Michell Semprum is one of a group of about 20 workers who says were hired to paint new buildings in Miami last year. “We were doing exteriors, interiors,” Semprum said. “Eight hours (a day) from Monday to Saturday.” Semprum recently told NBC 6 Responds and Telemundo 51 Responde’s Myriam Masihy that at first they were being paid with checks by…... -
Woman Stuck in Timeshare Contract Despite Hiring Timeshare Exit Company
Getting into a timeshare is easy, but getting out can be hard. Companies across the country are making a business out of helping people ditch their timeshare contracts. Oneyda Molina hired a timeshare exit company in hopes the company could help her. Molina and her brother bought a timeshare for their mother 18 years ago. Molina says the property i... -
Local Celebrity Couple Learns Lesson After Clicking on Social Media Ads
A local celebrity couple says they learned a tough lesson, after trying to buy products they found through ads on their social media feeds.
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Government Using New Law to Crack Down on Robocalls
A new law is looking to give government the power to kill those annoying robocalls before they come through and to go after the people behind them. The newly passed Traced Act, which stands for Telephone, Robocall, Abuse, Criminal, Enforcement and Deterrence and requires phone companies to implement a number authentication system that w... -
Some Homeowners Looking to Cash in Super Bowl Week
South Florida will welcome thousands of visitors for Super Bowl LIV and some homeowners are looking to cash in on those visitors. Paola Ugolini is an Airbnb Super Host who uses a small cottage behind her home as a short-term rental most days of the year. “We are lucky to be close to the Biscayne corridor and so many other…
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Read This Before Signing Up for Usage-Based Car Insurance
It was an offer Roger Blaine could not resist. “I decided to do it really for the savings,” he said. The option to sign up for usage-based car insurance with the hope of saving 20 to 30 percent off the $2,500 he was paying yearly on premiums. He said the program allows his insurance carrier to monitor his driving habits,…
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Gift Card Scams Find New Victims. Are Stores Doing Enough?
When the U.S. first launched into space, Max Atkinson’s electronics handiwork was often aboard. “Any program I ever worked on was a total success,” he said from his home in Santa Clara. Logic and critical thinking guided every NASA blastoff. But recently, the retired rocket scientist gave in to his emotions. “I fell for it, ... -
Couple Says They Were Tricked Into Signing Over Their Home
Evelio and Milagros Esteban never thought they could lose their home at this stage of their life. “I’m a sick man and I can barely walk,” said Evelio. Evelio, 73, and his wife Milagros,71, say they purchased their home in 2003, but they’ve had trouble paying their mortgage over the past two years. That’s when they say they unknowingly... -
How to Deal With Rising Cost of Cell Phone Bills
You see ads for cell phone companies all the time, but when is the last time you seriously considered switching? It seems like a hassle, but what if you could save hundreds of dollars a year by making a change? Consumer Reports says there are cheaper options out there. They’re smaller carriers known as MVNOs or mobile virtual network...
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Charging Stations Could Be Stealing Your Data
The holiday travel season has arrived and so too has new warnings about using public USB charging stations to charge your mobile device in airports, hotels, and public places. The reason: A new scam that authorities refer to as “juice jacking,” wherein scammers hijack charging stations in order to export data and passwords through your cable. Scamm... -
Understanding Confusing Labels That Come With Food Shopping
Grocery shopping can sometimes feel overwhelming. Foods are often packaged with a dizzying array of labels, sometimes with healthy-sounding buzz words like organic, natural, and cage-free – so how do you know if those labels actually mean anything? Consumer Reports cuts through the confusion to help you focus on the most meaningful food label... -
Frozen Foods Worth Your Freezer Space
Who hasn’t gone digging through to the bottom of their freezer trying to find something that will help put a quick dinner on the table? Fast? Yes! Healthy? Not always… So, the food experts at Consumer Reports helped us stock up on healthy frozen foods that are actually worth the freezer space! CR says to look for high-quality whole-foods... -
Shop for Lawn Care Service Now
Did the mowing, trimming, weeding, leaf blowing, and raking of summer yardwork do you in? Are you thinking about hiring a service to do it all? Now is the time to shop for a lawn care service. Consumer Reports shares some tips on finding the right one. But before you commit to spending hundreds of dollars a month, CR says…
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What's Going on With Mysterious ‘Uber Code' Texts?
People all over the country report getting mysterious and unsolicited text messages with Uber codes.
