30-cent toll violation becomes $45.30 problem for one driver
Dear Fixer: I received a letter March 10 from Avis car rental regarding a charge for $45.30 for an Illinois Tollway violation that allegedly occurred Sept. 9, 2006. The toll was 30 cents, but there was a $20 fine from the tollway and an administrative fee from Avis of $25. Basically, $45 in fees for a 30-cent toll.

Fixer urges readers to look out for 'mortgage-rescue' schemes
More mortgage woes. As if the mortgage foreclosure crisis wasn't bad enough - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit in early April against a Chicago "mortage-rescue" firm for allegedly violating the state's Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Proof of room cancellation still not enough
Dear Fixer: On Oct. 20, my daughter reserved two rooms at the Holiday Inn in Elmhurst for Nov. 24. The hotel has a water park, and the reservation was for my grandson's birthday party. I called the hotel to secure the two-room reservation with my credit card.

Unauthorized charges sink cardholders' cruise
Dear Fixer: I need some assistance with some fraudulent charges made on my Discover Card since last July.

Free ticket offer more trouble than its worth
Dear Fixer: Last June, JCPenney offered a promotional free airline ticket with the purchase of $125 of men's Dockers apparel. The purchase had to be made between June 3 and 9, submitted on their form and postmarked by July 9.

ComEd bill mix up has resident steamed
Dear Fixer: On my January bill from ComEd there was a transfer service for a home in the 3700 block of South State Street in Steger added to my account, with late fees totaling $674.23. We do not own this property, nor have we ever lived there.