WRGB The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line: Frequent flier miles

Fri, May 24 2013, 02:05 AM EDT

ALBANY -- You earn them, but if you don't use 'em, you could lose 'em!

That's The Bottom Line on frequent flyer miles and points, which of course, the airlines give you as a perk. ...

The Bottom Line: Product Downsizing Part 2

Thu, May 09 2013, 02:07 PM EDT

ALBANY -- With the cost of everything going up these days, it might be no surprise that companies are scaling back their products and giving you less for your money.

Remember, companies only have to clearly display the amount you're getting on a product, no matter how small. ...

Bottom Line: Product Downsizing, Part 1

Wed, May 08 2013, 08:00 PM EDT

ALBANY -- You know the old saying that "looks can be deceiving." Well it's not outward deception, but some of the products you're picking up off supermarket shelves are definitely worth looking at twice!
While they might "look" the same over the years, there's one very small yet very big difference - one that's hitting you, right in the wallet. ...

Sneak Peak: Getting less for the same price?

Tue, May 07 2013, 10:41 AM EDT

Ever feel like you're buying cereal more often or going through paper towels faster than ever? Maybe you are. Dori Marlin gets you The Bottom Line on how some companies are scaling down the size of their products -- but charging consumers the same price, or sometimes, even more!
Watch video for preview. ...

The Bottom Line: Basic Cable Scramble

Mon, Apr 29 2013, 08:49 PM EDT

ALBANY -- It's one of the top consumer complaints we hear from you: that the cost of your monthly cable bill is too high.

Now, a recent change on the federal level paves the way for another cost to possibly raise your bill even higher.

A little-known decision by the FCC late last year is allowing cable companies to scramble basic channels, once the company goes all-digital. ...

The Bottom Line: Read the fine print

Wed, Apr 24 2013, 11:32 PM EDT

ALBANY -- Things aren't always what they seem when you read them carefully, and that can be especially true when it comes to your money.

So often, what you think you're paying for isn't always what you get - or little-known company policies may actually be working against your wallet. ...

E-Waste Collection Event

Sat, Apr 20 2013, 11:32 PM EDT

GUILDERLAND -- Earth Day is coming up on Monday, but an event this weekend helped to not only protect the environment - but also your Bottom Line.

CBS 6 teamed up with Tri City Rentals and eLot Electronics Recycling to trash your tech for you, at Saturday's E-Waste Collection Event. ...

The Bottom Line: Boston Bombing Charity Scams

Wed, Apr 17 2013, 08:05 PM EDT

NISKAYUNA -- A tragedy like the Boston Marathon bombing sometimes seems to bring out the best in people, but unfortunately, it can also bring out the worst.

An important Bottom Line Alert that if you're planning to donate money toward the victims of the attack, scammers are already out there trying to take advantage of that generosity. ...

The Bottom Line: Tax Preparer Scam

Fri, Apr 12 2013, 09:31 PM EDT

ALBANY -- Beware of a last-minute tax grab!

A Bottom Line Alert from the New York State Department of Tax and Finance, warning that if you still have to file your returns before Monday's deadline, you need to watch out for tax preparers who may be looking to steal your money. ...

The Bottom Line: Last-Minute Tax Tips

Thu, Apr 11 2013, 11:04 PM EDT

ALBANY -- The hours are ticking away until this year's tax deadline.

You have until the end of Monday, April 15th, to file your tax return on time. With the rush on to crunch the numbers, CBS 6’s Dori Marlin has The Bottom Line on some of those last-minute mistakes you want to avoid. ...

The Bottom Line: Family Member Phone Scam

Tue, Apr 09 2013, 08:40 PM EDT

NORTH GREENBUSH -- Scammers strike again, preying upon the emotions of local victims.

A Bottom Line Alert from the North Greenbush Police Department, after they say several people in Defreestville and Wynantskill have become victims of fraud. ...

The Bottom Line: FedEx delivery Email scam

Fri, Mar 29 2013, 09:17 PM EDT
NISKAYUNA -- It's not a special delivery, but rather a scam!

A Bottom Line Alert after Vonnie in Niskayuna forwarded an e-mail she received to CBS 6's Dori Marlin. It claimed that Vonnie had a package to pick up from FedEx.

Dori's passed along warnings about this e-mail before: It looks like a delivery notice using the legitimate company logo, gives you a tracking number, and says your parcel has arrived - but that FedEx was unable to deliver it. ...

The Bottom Line : Lottery Scam

Thu, Mar 28 2013, 07:19 PM EDT

The Bottom Line : Census Survey

Thu, Mar 28 2013, 07:18 PM EDT
ALBANY -- Is it legit, or is it a scam?

One CBS 6 viewer asked that question about a pages-long survey she received in the mail, containing dozens of personal questions - so she sent it to Dori Marlin, to get The Bottom Line.

The survey says that it's from the U. ...

Bottom Line: Extra Texting Charges

Thu, Mar 28 2013, 04:27 PM EDT

NISKAYUNA -- CBS6's Dori Marlin has heard from many viewers before about extra charges that don't belong on your cell phone bill, and it appears that third party companies are finding a way to tack on extra charges.
Rick from Ancram told Dori that he and his wife pay $50 per month for unlimited talk and text features, but kept getting text messages saying that they didn't have sufficient funds to make a call or text. ...

The Bottom Line: Rensselaer County theft investigation

Tue, Mar 26 2013, 09:18 PM EDT
CBS6 Staff
RENSSELAER COUNTY-- It appears the internal fraud went deeper than investigators thought.
Brenda Kennedy was arrested last July for allegedly bilking nearly $75,000 from Rensselaer County, when she worked as a medical billing clerk.
However, a probe by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli revealed that she made off with more than $208,000 from January 2007 to May 2012. ...

Bottom Line: Small Business Alert

Mon, Mar 25 2013, 07:55 PM EDT
ALBANY -- A Florida business with a bad rap may be trying to cash in on local businesses.
A viewer got in touch with CBS 6's Dori Marlin, and said their place of work fell victim to the phone grab.
They told Dori that a company called Horizon Search Solutions called on the phone, wanting to verify the local business's information. ...

The Bottom Line :Education Database

Wed, Mar 20 2013, 11:43 PM EDT

ALBANY -- It's a fairly quiet move that's sparking a lot of outcry, and it could affect your kids' Bottom Line.

New York has signed on to a program, along with eight other states, in which students' private information will be collected and shared with a nationwide service. ...

The Bottom Line: National Grid Rates

Fri, Mar 15 2013, 01:36 AM EDT

ALBANY -- Rate plan approved.

The New York Public Service Commission is announcing a new three-year rate plan for National Grid.

Here's The Bottom Line on how it breaks down:

For electricity customers, delivery charges will go down by more than 8. ...

Bottom Line: Extra Texting Charges

Mon, Mar 11 2013, 08:33 PM EDT
NISKAYUNA -- CBS6's Dori Marlin has heard from many viewers before about extra charges that don't belong on your cell phone bill, and it appears that third party companies are finding a way to tack on extra charges.
Rick from Ancram told Dori that he and his wife pay $50 per month for unlimited talk and text features, but kept getting text messages saying that they didn't have sufficient funds to make a call or text. ...