Dear Eleanore Turkington:
My hands are still shaking as I write this letter to you. I am elderly and on Medicare and Social Security. I have accepted my age and medical problems but always felt assured knowing that I have medical coverage.
The other day my phone rang and a woman’s voice instructed me to get my Medicare Card and tell her the information on it. She said the government is changing the system and even the colors of my Medicare card. My first thought was why I am losing my medical coverage. My heart began to pound, and my hands shook holding the phone. The voice continued with instructions, and I decided I better do something pretty quick.
Then I remembered I had heard there were all kinds of scams out there, so I decided to stall this caller. I told her my card was in my upstairs bedroom and to hold on. I used my other phone and called my son. “No Mom, that’s a scam hang up.” I went back to the phone and the person had hung up. Can you warn your readers about calls like this?
Still Shaking
Dear Still Shaking:
I am very sorry that calls like this reach my readers. Here is what I discovered about calls like yours, they are SCAMS. They are trying to obtain your financial and personal information. You will never be called on the phone for such information as stated above.
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
This gripe is about a car wash locally. My car went up in flames 10 minutes after being washed. I have been trying to get a refund for a month for the week I was out of work looking for a replacement vehicle and the deductible. It has been impossible to get someone to respond.
I think customers of this est Haven location should be aware of these dangers while also getting someone to respond to my reimbursement request. Thank you for your consideration regarding this story.
Fed Up
Dear Fed Up:
I attempted to reach several car washes in West Haven but was unable to talk to any of them. I also notified one of these outlets by mail and have heard nothing. I would suggest you contact the Better Business Bureau to see if they have received similar complaints about this business. Please let Gripe Vine know if you received any satisfaction from this source.
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
My gripe is about Jeffrey and Donald Streets. They need repair or, better yet, pavement.
There are two catch basins and a manhole cover on that corner. The pavement is crumbling around it. The entire Jeffrey Street needs paving. Please let me know the status. I have called Public Works without any response.
Donald Street Resident
Dear Donald Street Resident:
I have contacted the Council member for your district, Councilwoman Katherine Tucker and she replied, “Thank you for reaching out regarding the pavement. I will report your concerns to Public Works.”
Donald Street Resident, please let me know if any signs of repair have been taken.
Readers, please note, Gripe Vine anticipates hearing from the various city departments recognizing your complaints. Please let me know when your gripes are resolved.
If you have a gripe, comment or issue, you can send them to gripevineatwhyahoo.com or mail them to me to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice 840 Boston Post Road, West Haven 06516. You can also submit through our online form.