It’s your name. Spell it any way you want, say it any way you want.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “So I was born Anastasia, but I lived in Mexico. I married a Cuban, so I have always liked Anastasia better. I just think it’s softer.”

Saying Anastasia makes her smile and she created Healing Hands to bring a smile to everyone else.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “And something we do that makes us different is that we have all-inclusive massage. So, our massages include deep tissue stretching, aromatherapy and hot stones.”

People love it, with hundreds of five star reviews for her Miami and Miami Beach locations.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “Majority of our clients are genuinely good people.”

But of course, it’s South Florida. You know where we are going.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “It’s always that handful of people that can just leave a sour taste in your mouth.”

It started when someone made an appointment online. As you can see, she came into the spa, got the hour long massage and came out.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “We have footage of her getting her water, thanking the therapist, saying goodbye. She was happy with the treatment. I don’t understand.”

Anastasia is confused because as soon as the woman left, she disputed the charge for the massage.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “The cardholder said that she had no knowledge of the charge.”

Anastasia thought she would easily win the dispute by showing the credit card company the videos and texts from the woman.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “And I put it all in there, and they still decided in her favor.”

To book an appointment at Healing Hands, you pay ahead of time online with a credit card.

The company that processes the payment would not tell Anastasia which credit card company the woman used.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “It wasn’t us that made that decision. We just have to respect the decision, but then there’s no way to appeal it.”

But Anastasia wanted to talk to the credit card company to see how they can rule in favor of a customer who clearly came into the spa. No luck.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “How could you look at everything I sent and say, ‘No, she wasn’t there,’ or if it’s the bank that is just not looking at the information or maybe using AI and they’re looking for the wrong things, but I truly have no idea.”

Baffling to Anastasia and us, so Howard, can you be denied the right to know who the credit card company is and denied the right to appeal their decision?

Howard: “Yes, the processing company does not have to tell you the name of the credit card company and, secondly, you have to play by the card company’s rules. If they deny you in a dispute, they can refuse to allow you to appeal it. Clearly, as a merchant or a cardholder, you have to play by their rules.”

We wanted to find out why the credit card company agreed the cardholder didn’t get a massage.

The processing company told me they were not allowed to reveal the credit card company’s name.

The woman, who called herself Raquel, filled out an intake form. I called the number she listed. It was disconnected.

I went to the address she provided. No one by that name lived there.

Howard: “I think what happened is that she must have stolen a credit card. That’s the only way that makes sense.

That probably explains why the real owner of the card said she wasn’t at Healing Hands.

Anastasia paid the therapist who did the massage for the crook so she wouldn’t be punished as well, but good news for Anastasia and Healing Hands this week.

Anastasia Yecke Gude: “Yes, we are honored to have received the gold medal for best massage in Miami for the Miami-Dade Favorites award.”

Congratulations, and from now on, customers who pay online will only pay a deposit. They pay the rest when they get the massage so Anastasia can see the credit card. That should eliminate the crooks. And in case you were wondering, 85% of credit card fraud comes from online purchases.

Someone tangled you in a scam? Time to start healing? Go online and contact us. If we play our cards right, we can muscle our way to a solution.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Like many people, Steven wrote to us about his association.

Steven Billing: “I didn’t realize how much that I am suffering from this. I mean, because it’s constant.”

But Steven is unique. He told us his story in a song.

Simply put, Steven feels like he is being targeted by the board.

Patrick Fraser: So are they harassing you?

Steven Billing: “Oh, my God, constantly.”

Steven Billing: “Don’t tell me my car is crooked when yours is crooked.”

Steven put up with the irritations, but decided to create the Help Me Howard song when a friend gave him the condo they lived in.

Steven Billing: “The main problem is they refuse to transfer a deed into my name. There’s no mortgage on the condo; my best friend is leaving it to me.”

The board wouldn’t tell Steven why they refused to allow him to accept the condo.

He suspects it’s because he has a low credit score, and he says a board member mocked him when he said it wasn’t the right thing to do.

Steven Billing: “‘Sue, you won’t win.’ That was it. That’s when the bottom fell out.”

As Steven told his story to friends, he says he realized many other board members act the same way.

Steven Billing: “They’re not supposed to dictate and run around and look for things that are being broken. They’re supposed to help you. You know, I mean, like your show, Help Me Howard, you use your skill to help people.”

So far, Steven hasn’t beaten the board, but he can do what they can’t: sing about boards across the state.

Steven Billing: “I would like, to be honest with you, I would like this to be a piece of like, HOA reform or something.”

Steven’s frustration is in a song, but you don’t need lyrics for the question. Can his board block him from receiving a condo as a gift?

Take the microphone, Howard.

Howard Finkelstein: “If it’s written in the association documents that there is a minimum economic standard for potential owners, they can prevent the transfer of ownership to someone who does not meet those qualifications. In other words, they can block Steven from taking ownership of the unit, even if it’s given to him by a friend.”

Actually, Steven, the board president did return my call. She said they determined Steven was not qualified financially to own the condo because of a credit score. When I asked if there was anything he could do to change the board’s mind, she said, “No, this has been dealt with.”

Steven Billing: “They refuse to cooperate.”

Steven may not impress his board, but we are certainly impressed with his songwriting skills.

Steven Billing: “I always learn something when I watch your show.”

Steven Billing: “It is a good song, isn’t it?”

Patrick Fraser: “It’s a very good song.”

Steven, thank you so much. We are honored by your song.

Now what can Steven do? Have his friend sell the condo and buy Steven something somewhere else.

And if you want to hear Steven’s entire Help Me Howard song, it’s under this story.

Troubles got you singing the blues? Think it will strike a chord? Tune in to us, ’cause helping is music to our ears.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Lyrics to the Song
Patrick and Howard help with my HOA
They always have something negative to say
They have trouble facing reality
With delusions of power and authority
It’s like a storm that went of course
Breaking the rules on you they enforce
Communities they seem to infest
Ego’s that just won’t ever take a rest
Howard Patrick help me with my H. O. A
Make them stops the cruel games they play
Do as I say not as I do
as if the board members owns you
They Come from the same mold
Expect you to do as are told
Do as I say not as I do
as if the board members own you
I bet they try to run just like a coward
If they see and hear from Patrick and Howard
They may think again with the words they chose
Saying go ahead and press charge you will lose
I have prof of all the lies and intimidation
If somehow I can get and investigation
They said I answer to them and them not to me
I can’t fight back because I don’t have the money
Howard Patrick help me with my H. O. A
Make them stops the cruel games they play
Do as I say not as I do
as if the board members owns you
They Come from the same mold
Expect you to do as are told
Do as I say not as I do
as if the board members own you
They rely on the fact I have no where to turn
I am broke they have power and money to burn
I can’t go on there is no more pretending
The intimidation and lies may never have and ending
I wonder if they will keep telling lies
When looking into Patrick and Howard’s eyes.

Two remarkable people, both facing difficult problems

Stephen Miller: “It’s not there, I am like aargh.”

And both vowing they have to solve their problems.

Joseph Truscello: “It’s gonna hurt me to the point where I will not be able to afford to live here anymore.”

Let’s begin with Joseph, a Marine who was injured while fighting for America in Afghanistan.

Joseph Truscello: “Honestly, if I had to do it again, I would definitely do it again.”

For his service, Joseph earned a veterans exemption, which lowered the property taxes on his home from around $10,000 a year to $325, and then the crushing roadblock.

Joseph Truscello: “They said I cannot keep my business unless I have an agricultural tax exemption.”

When he returned from fighting in Afghanistan, Joseph opened a tree-trimming business called Sgt T’s.

The town of Davie said he couldn’t park his two business trucks behind his house unless he had an agricultural exemption.

Joseph Truscello: “So I would have to basically forfeit my [Veterans Affairs] benefit for taxes to take on an agricultural exemption.”

By law, you can’t have a veteran exemption if you have the agricultural exemption.

Davie also cited Joseph for a fence, tree-trimming materials, and other issues.

After we got involved, Davie gave Joseph extensions to try to solve the problems.

Joseph Truscello: “I think the town of Davie is trying to work with me.”

Our story aired. Joseph put in a new fence, cleared the land, uncovered two concrete slabs for parking his trucks, and resolved other issues.

Then in early December, it was time.

The town of Davie made their decision.

Board member: “…Been cancelled, correct.”

Board member: “Thank you. Canceled correct.”

Cancelled, corrected, meaning the violations had been resolved. Joseph could keep his veterans’ exemption and his house.

Joseph Truscello: “I can’t even explain how I feel, beyond relief.”

Give the town of Davie credit for guiding Joseph along, and Joseph says it all started coming together when he called Help Me Howard.

Joseph Truscello: “I’m beyond glad. You guys are my friends for life.”

Speaking of a friend, we just had Stephen on Help Me, Howard, a couple of weeks ago.

Stephen Miller: “I’m grateful, eternally grateful that help me, Howard was there.”

Stephen has cerebral palsy, his brother is mentally handicapped, and they survive on small social security checks.

Stephen Miller: “It’s not easy, but I am working on it.”

Stephen had called us to help find $9,200 that had disappeared from his bank account.

We helped find it, and Stephen finally received the money.

Stephen Miller: “That looked like a big relief.”

The story aired, and more good news.

Brian Johnson: “I saw your story on the news, and it compelled us to want to be able to provide some help and assistance.”

In the Help Me Howard, we mentioned that Stephen spent most of the money he got to repair a ceiling, a plumbing problem, and partially repair the bad flooring. We also pointed out that the small wheelchair he uses inside was falling apart.

Brian Johnson, from the Broward Center for Independent Living, took care of that.

Brian Johnson: “This is just a temporary kind of get you over, until we can get you the customized chair.”

Brian also says they will work to repair the floor.

Stephen Miller: “I think they’re wonderful people, they’ve got a heart of gold.”

Given a new wheelchair and a better floor.

Back to Joseph, who wants to give back to the town that helped him.

Joseph Truscello: “Anything going on tree-wise, it’s not a big deal for me to spend a day once a year, makes me feel good about doing something for the town I live in.”

Great news for the holiday season. Congratulations, Stephen and Joseph.

Now, if you need some tree trimming work from a reliable veteran like Sgt T’s, or you want to donate money to the Broward Center for Independent Living, so they can help more people.

The links to contact them are under this story.

A problem taken the joy out of your life? Wanna take a holiday from the headache? Wrap it up and give it to us to try and boost your spirits.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

For More Info:

Sergeant T’s Tree Service
954-865-0805

Center for Independent Living of Broward

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Ten years ago, Lisa and her partner retired from their jobs. But then the two Lisas decided to open a restaurant.

Lisa Cusanelli: “Now I work harder than I’ve ever worked in my whole entire life. And I get paid way less than I ever got paid before.”

Their Fresh Box Cafe is in Fort Lauderdale, where they are the cooks, the managers, the owners, and they love it.

Lisa Cusanelli: “We do breakfast and lunch primarily.”

Hard work in the daytime, and lately frustration in the evenings as Lisa fights a company that’s vital to their business.

Lisa Cusanelli: “So when I looked at it, I just thought, ‘that seems like an awful lot of money.'”

Lisa was digging into First Data, the company that supplies the machine and a merchant ID number for Lisa to process her customers’ credit card payments. They then charge Lisa for doing that.

Lisa Cusanelli: “First Data, they pull it right out of my bank account.”

First Data installed the machine and provided the merchant ID number in 2015 when the cafe opened.

In 2022, First Data put in a new machine with a new ID number; did the same in 2025; and that’s when Lisa discovered the problem.

Lisa Cusanelli: “They were still charging me on the old MID numbers, merchant ID numbers, since 2022.”

Now paying for three machines and three ID numbers, even though they only have one machine and should have only had one merchant ID number.

Lisa Cusanelli: “They’re killing us with all these charges.”

If you look at Lisa’s bank statement, you would have to really dig to find the correct charges from the incorrect ones.

Lisa Cusanelli: “Because the bank statements all say the same thing. They just say first at a merchant, and then it says an ACH withdrawal.”

Lisa contacted First Data and got nowhere.

Lisa Cusanelli: “Nobody could give me an answer about what this charge was for, what this charge was for.”

The Lisa’s believe she has been overbilled thousands of dollars, but can’t get a dime back.

Lisa Cusanelli: “This is a multi-billion dollar company, and I’m just a small fish.”

Well, Lisa and Lisa have too much on their plates to let this drive them crazy. But what do you do in a case like this, Howard?

Howard: “Of course, legally you don’t have to pay two or three times, but here is the problem: the billing process is extremely complicated, hard to follow, and it’s hard to figure out how much Lisa has overpaid. It would take a lawsuit and a forensic accountant to get to the bottom of it. For Lisa, it’s not worth doing that because you don’t know how much you will get back.”

So I contacted First Data and their parent company, Fiserv.

A spokesperson wrote: “They will be happy to assist this merchant with the issues.”

Lisa Cusanelli: “I tried for months, five or six months, to get any kind of response from them. Once I spoke with Patrick, I got a phone call, and they said they were going to make me whole again.”

The company returned $2,000 to Lisa. She suspects she is owed more, but there is no simple way to prove it, and she is now only being charged for one account instead of three.

Lisa Cusanelli: “I am so glad it’s over, I am gonna miss you guys though.”

But we will stop by Fresh Box Cafe once in a while, to eat and see the Lisas.

Lisa Cusanelli: “So glad I called Patrick, he is one in a million, seriously, and I really appreciate everything he’s done for us.”

Thank you, Lisa. We get to meet such nice people; we are lucky.

You may be thinking, Why doesn’t Lisa fire the processing company? She has a contract with them and can’t. But she vows that when the contract expires, they are cooked.

A problem got you boiling over? Tired of it simmering in your life? Sandwich a call to us in your busy day, and hopefully we won’t have a half-baked solution for you.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser told those stories. Let’s see what happened when they got involved.

Great ideas have an exciting beginning.

Vania Fernandez: “So we took down this wall.”

Vania started remodeling her condo three years ago, and finally it was time to install her jacuzzi tub.

Vania Fernandez: “And one of my favorite things to do is to take a hot bath and relax.”

But as the tub was filled with water, the excitement turned to exasperation.

Vania Fernandez: “There was electricity in it. The breakers started tripping.”

An electrical current in the water, according to a contractor. A sub tried to repair it, and caused a water leak.

The contractor blamed the manufacturer for the current, they blamed the sub and the contractor, and said the warranty was now null and void.

Vania Fernandez: “Everybody was pointing fingers, and nobody was coming to a solution.”

Vania called us. In a case like this, Howard said, you might have to turn to the worst-case scenario.

Howard Finkelstein, 7News legal expert: “It’s difficult and expensive. You have to hire lawyers, experts and hope you win in court, or give up and buy a new tub.”

But I gave it a shot, spoke to the people involved over and over.

Vania Fernandez: “Shortly after Patrick was involved, for some reason, everybody started working together.”

The contractor removed the tub. The store Vania bought it from packed it up and shipped it to the manufacturer, who replaced a part. It worked.

Vania Fernandez: “Bubbles that can come up if you don’t want the hard jets blowing. Very relaxing. Wonderful, perfect.”

The excitement has returned, after Vania got what she hoped for, when she called Help Me Howard.

Vania Fernandez: “I just really want to say thank you. Thank you so much for working your magic and getting this resolved for me.”

Vania had a water problem. Sometimes Stephen feels like he soaked with problems.

Stephen Miller: “I was born with cerebral palsy.”

Stephen is wheelchair bound. His brother Joseph is mentally challenged. They survive on two small disability checks and by taking care of each other.

Stephen Miller: “I’m glad he is here; if he wasn’t here, it would be almost impossible.”

But then problems poured in. Stephen’s wheelchair started falling apart, a ceiling cracked open, the floor buckled, and Stephen had to borrow $3,500 for an emergency plumbing problem.

Stephen Miller: “I’m working on it.”

Then Stephen thought he got a break when he found a $9,200 cashier’s check that he had lost. He headed to the bank to solve his problems.

Stephen Miller: “Sorry Mr. Miller, this is no payee file found, so basically the check is null and void.”

The bank told Stephen to check the unclaimed funds account in Florida or Ohio where the bank was headquartered. He did.

Stephen Miller: “It’s not there, and I’m like, ‘Argh,’ and it’s like a crushing feeling.”

Stephen called Help Me Howard.

The bank confirmed to me that the money was sent to the Ohio unclaimed fund. They searched, they found the missing money. A few weeks later, Stephen got this $9,200 check.

Stephen Miller: “That was like a big relief, but it was almost like winning the Super Bowl.”

Patrick Fraser: “Not the Dolphins winning the Super Bowl.”

Stephen Miller: “We’ll forget about that.”

Stephen can laugh again. He used the money to fix the ceiling and pay off the plumbing loan.

He didn’t have enough money to fix the flooring, but still, he and Joseph are happy they solved some of their problems.

Stephen Miller: “I’m grateful, eternally grateful that Help Me Howard was there, and I appreciate it very much.”

We are so lucky to be able to help people, and Stephen still has to find a way to fix his floors. Hopefully someone will help him.

Floored by a problem? Don’t want a watered-down solution? Check with us to help you soak in the accomplishment.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Gregg walked out at 4:30 in the morning to smoke a cigarette. Then he stepped back inside.

Gregg Kodelman: “I’m pouring the coffee and I hear ‘Bang, bang, bang, bang.’ And I’m going, ‘What crazy person is out shooting fireworks off?'”

It wasn’t fireworks. Wilton Manors Police had shot his neighbor.

Gregg Kodelman: “I look outside and I see my neighbor on the ground, with police everywhere, giving him chest compressions.”

Police had been called to his neighbors house — when he came out with what Gregg said was a pellet gun, they opened fire.

Gregg Kodelman: “They shot 12 shots and nine are in the body and two in a car, and one in the neighbor’s house, on the other side.”

Somehow the neighbor survived.

Gregg then saw police had fired two shots into his Cadillac that was sitting in his driveway.

Gregg Kodelman: “This is the bullet that went through the upper part of the passenger door. It’s lodged in the frame of the airbag and the driver’s seat.”

Gregg says police told him to call Wilton Manors and the city would take care of the damage. He called.

Gregg Kodelman: “Absolutely no. They have totally denied us anything. They’re claiming zero liability.”

Gregg has this bullet the cops shot into his car, an $11,000 estimate to repair his Cadillac and more bad news.

Gregg Kodelman: “I mean, the frame has been damaged on the car so they’re welding a piece in. The depreciation on the car is immense so I think they should replace the car.”

But Gregg says the city has told him they won’t even pay his $500 insurance deductible.

Gregg Kodelman: “I was in this house when the shooting happened. They shoot my car. I’m supposed to pay for it.”

Leaving an unhappy Wilton Manors taxpayer.

Gregg Kodelman: “You don’t want to know what I think.”

But I know what Gregg wants to know — if the police shoot your property, do they have to repair it, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “If the police are justified in firing their weapons, they are not responsible for any damage they cause, even if they miss their target. Legally, that means the city doesn’t have to pay to repair the car — but legally, they have the authority to pay Gregg to avoid a lawsuit because Gregg is a victim of the gunshots as well.”

I contacted Wilton Manors — they told me they were insured through the Florida League of Cities.

A spokesperson for that group wrote they do “not comment on open matters.”

They obviously didn’t bother to check with a League of Cities coworker who had previously written to Gregg: “We have completed our investigation” and “this type of loss is not covered.”

Gregg Kodelman: “And just blatantly lied to.”

Gregg is happy to have his car back, but planning to sue the city officials who could have paid to repair it, and vowing to remember them when they ask for his vote the next time.

Gregg Kodelman: “Absolutely not. Absolutely not. And I wouldn’t vote for one of ’em that’s in office.”

As we always say — if the politicians won’t listen to you, let them hear you at the ballot box. And thank goodness Gregg had insurance because sometimes, the person who damages your car is uninsured. Or like in this case, legally doesn’t have to pay.

Aiming to solve a problem but don’t think you have a shot at fixing it? Here is a bullet-in. Let us fire off a few solutions to repair the damage.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Jimmy doesn’t get around as well as he used to. But in his day, he didn’t horse around.

Jimmy Cangemie: “I was a professional jockey, yes. It was exciting, it was fascinating.”

Racing horses for 20 years, winning hundreds of times with the pictures to prove it.

Jimmy Cangemie: “I won seven in a row on him.”

The victories, the injuries, and so many stories to tell.

Jimmy Cangemie: “Where I rode a mile and a sixteenth like this.”

Patrick Fraser: “No stirrup.”

Patrick Fraser: “You were sitting on your leg?”

Jimmy Cangemie: “And I finished second.”

But now Jimmy wanted to tell us about a problem he had been saddled with.

Jimmy Cangemie: “Next thing I know, the big guy comes up to the fence, shakes the fence,”

Jimmy Cangemie: “‘I’m a tree guy. Your trees are really in bad shape.'”

Jimmy has about a dozen tall trees he planted 40 years ago, with branches reaching the ground.

Jimmy Cangemie: “Just like we all go to the barber shop.”

Jimmy Cangemie: “They needed to be trimmed.”

And so he paid the fellow named Joshua $1200 up front to do the job…

Jimmy Cangemie: “I said, ‘You’re the tree doctor. I don’t have to tell you. You see what needs to be done and you do it.'”

Jimmy is a man of his word, and he trusted the tree fellow to do the work.

Jimmy Cangemie: “Not looking to see what’s going on and how far could I see? Bad judgment.”

After they left, he checked the work.

Jimmy Cangemie: “I don’t want to say it on television, but I was burnt.”

Three trees were trimmed, seven were not. Jimmy called the owner of the company.

Jimmy Cangemie: “And he said, ‘I’ve had complaints about Joshua. I’m gonna call you tomorrow.’ Tomorrow never came.”

Jimmy said if he was younger, in horse racing shape, he would have tracked them down. But those days are gone.

Jimmy Cangemie: “Take advantage of an old man and a cripple.”

Leaving him with a simple request.

Jimmy Cangemie: “I wanna see my trees done. That’s what I paid for.”

Whether it’s a general contractor, a roofer, or a tree company, how do you get them to finish a job you paid them to do, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “Good, honest people who think other people are honest get taken by people who don’t mind walking away without finishing a job. Legally, after it happens, your only recourse is to sue, but that costs time and money. The best thing to do before it happens? Pay in installments as the job is completed, and if they walk away, you have money in your pocket to finish the job.”

I contacted the owner of the tree-trimming business. He told me he would get Joshua to come back and finish the job. He told me that week after week. Finally, he got tired of me and said he would head out to Jimmy’s to do the work.

He kept his word, trimming all the trees and even cutting up one that had fallen down.

Jimmy Cangemie: “I think he did very good. Exceptional. And I said to him, ‘Now you can get Patrick off your back. Oh yes.'”

Jimmy’s tree trimming project has crossed the finish line. And now he’s happy to join the crowd of people who call Help Me Howard.

Jimmy Cangemie: “And you really, really get the job done. Every time I see something on television, I say, Patrick did it again and made somebody else happy. Yeah.”

Talk about characters, Jimmy is a rare one.

How do you avoid a headache like Jimmy had? Go online and check reviews.

Also, if they tell you they need the money up front to buy supplies, be careful. And you can always tell ’em, take a hike.

Saddled with a problem? Tired of horsing around with it? Take a furlough from it and let us race in to rein them in.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

When I walked into Danielle’s condo, my first thought, “Wow.”

Danielle Byrami: “You can trade pins with cast members and pinboards at Disney World. I have been doing it for a while, and I put up some cork. Now we can enjoy my collection.”

Two-thousand-two-hundred pins. Now take a couple more steps to to see the Lego creations.

Danielle Byrami: “Got some dinosaurs, ‘Jurassic Park,’ treehouse.”

As an architect, Danielle’s skills are not surprising.

Danielle Byrami: “It’s fun, you get to build these. They’re references to different pop culture.”

Another note about Danielle, she is patriotic.

Danielle Byrami: “And I just had this appreciation of what America, what we did for this country and how we got where we are.”

Then she decided to display her love for America.

Danielle Byrami: “I hung a flag in my front door.”

The American flag behind the glass on her door.

Danielle Byrami: “How can anybody complain about seeing the American flag?”

But there was a complaint. Danielle got an email from the board president that read: “I got a report about a flag hanging on your door. Our rules and regulations do not permit this. Please remove this ASAP.”

Danielle Byrami: “That it’s considered art, and art can’t be hanging in the window.”

Danielle’s reaction?

Danielle Byrami: “I couldn’t believe it.”

And her response was clear.

Danielle Byrami: “I won’t take it down. It’s insane.”

Danielle’s determination is rooted in the gratitude for what America has done for her.

Danielle Byrami: “They are asking me to take down a part of my soul that I will not take down. That American flag is part of who I am. No, I won’t do it.”

She says her condo board is good, very good, doing work she could not do.

Danielle Byrami: “I appreciate the hard job that they are doing. It’s thankless, but don’t touch my flag.”

But can a board touch her flag and take it down? Mr. Finkelstein?

Howard: “No, they cannot. Federal and state laws are very clear. Whether it’s a condo or a house, every owner has a legal right to display one portable American flag on their property, as long as it’s done in a respectable manner. And by portable, I mean it can be removed if they want to.”

I emailed three board members. They didn’t respond to me, but they contacted Danielle writing: “Hey, we have confirmed you can keep the flag.”

Danielle Byrami: “I can display my flag, so I’m happy.”

Danielle is happy about the American flag. Happy she called Help Me Howard, and happy she may have started something at her condo.

Danielle Byrami: “I’ve noticed other neighbors started to display the flag as well, so that’s very cool. I love to see it.”

Good for you, Danielle. Now the law does limit how big the flags can be in an association, and in condos, it has to be on your property; it can’t be in a common area like an outdoor wall.

If your board won’t let you fly a flag, show them the law. The link is at the end of this Help Me Howard.

Flapping around trying to solve a problem? Want it to be a breeze? Flag us down to figure out your red, white and blue rights.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

For more information on the laws for displaying the flag follow the link below:

Display American Flag
Chapter 718 Section 113 – 2025 Florida Statutes –
www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0718.113
(4) Any unit owner may display one portable, removable United States flag in a respectful way and, on Armed
Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day, may display in a respectful
way portable, removable official flags, not larger than 4 1/2 feet by 6 feet, that represent the United States Army, Navy,
Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard, regardless of any declaration rules or requirements dealing
with flags or decorations.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Getting a gift for an adult can be difficult. Catherine’s son made it easy.

Catherine Vega: “And he wanted to get a personal training package so he could learn how to work out.”

Catherine bought one month with a personal trainer. The cost for that? $600.

Catherine Vega: “It included four sessions of personal training. Consider it a holiday gift, learn all that you can.”

Her son did work with the trainer for a month. His sessions ended, and then Catherine’s headache began.

Catherine Vega: “I took a look at my credit card and I thought, ‘Wow, this is really high balance. I haven’t purchased anything.”

Catherine’s statement showed the gym had billed her for November, which was correct. But then charged her for December, January, and February.

Catherine Vega: “Six hundred dollars, $600, $600. So $1,800 additional in personal training.”

Catherine contacted the UFC Fit facility in Pembroke Pines.

Catherine Vega: “‘Oh, it was an error. We misunderstood. We’re going to refund you.”

That was in March of 2025. We are now in November.

Catherine Vega: “I didn’t hear anything. I started emailing. I actually got an email stating that I would be credited, the refund is coming, the refund is coming, but the refund never came.”

Catherine didn’t have a contract. She had bought the gift over the phone with a simple understanding.

Catherine Vega: “I used the merchant for a one-time training package, not for recurrent billing.”

She paid $600 for her son to work out. Now she is getting a workout trying to get her $1,800 back.

Catherine Vega: “I’m frustrated. I’m extremely frustrated.”

She paid for something she didn’t get, but is she entitled to get her money back, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “If there was a contract, this is simple. Catherine gets her money back. A verbal agreement over the phone makes it harder for the consumer to prove what she bought. But reputable companies record those conversations so they know what the verbal agreement was. Catherine says they even admitted it was a mistake, so they should have returned that $1,800 immediately.”

I contacted UFC Fit. They replied:

“…Thank you for reaching out. This matter has been reviewed and addressed through our corporate team. A refund has already been submitted and approved…”

I then called Catherine.

Catherine Vega: “I actually didn’t know until you guys contacted me and said, ‘Oh, it’s been resolved.'”

Resolved, meaning Catherine got her $1,800 back. All she had been asking for when she called Help Me Howard.

Catherine Vega: “I am very glad I called. I wish I had done it back in April or May and hadn’t waited this long. I could have saved myself a lot of heartache.”

You never gave up, Catherine. Good for you!

Now, if you get an agreement over the phone, make sure you get them to email it to you so you can prove what the verbal agreement was. Not all companies will refund your money.

A problem left you fit to be tied? Wanna lift that weight off your shoulders? Try this exercise. Contact us to work out a solution. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

It seems everyone has a camera. They’re great. Most of the time.

Yvonne Gonzalez: “We don’t want to be watched when I go out there in the morning with my coffee.”

Yvonne and Joshua’s problem started back in July when Yvonne went outside to watch TV on their porch.

Joshua Abreu: “I looked in my backyard, I saw a pole sticking out with a ring camera, right up in blue, recording Yvonne, that was sitting out there.”

Yvonne had her back to the camera and didn’t realize their neighbor had put up six cameras pointed at them.

Yvonne Gonzalez: “And these are 360 cameras that I, having Ring myself, you can zoom in, God knows how far away.”

Cameras attached to the top of the house. Two poking out of a chickee hut. This one on a 15-foot pole they saw their neighbor put up.

Joshua Abreu: “As soon as we came out, red lights started coming out, rotating, pointing directly at us.”

The cameras don’t move when Joshua or his son comes outside, but if a woman steps out, the light comes on, meaning someone is watching.

Joshua Abreu: “My fiancée, her friends, women in the backyard, all the cameras go directly to the women.”

Yvonne put up an umbrella to block some of the cameras. The neighbor brought out a ladder to see over it.

Yvonne Gonzalez: “And I looked over and it was him with his phone in his hand recording me, and I said, ‘What are you doing?'”

They snapped a picture of the man. When he saw that, he flipped them off.

Another day, another neighbor caught him trying to film the family. Joshua came out.

Yvonne Gonzalez: “I feel so violated. My privacy. I feel so freaked out. I feel like I’m always being watched.”

Yvonne got a temporary restraining order to stop the man, Allan Souza, from coming near her. But when she started sitting on the front porch, he came there.

Joshua Abreu: “I went out and said, ‘Hey, what are you doing here?’ And we recorded him and he walked away.”

The neighbor won’t talk to them. Police told her their hands were tied.

Yvonne Gonzalez: “I went to the State Attorney’s Office who told me the same thing, ‘Our hands are tied.'”

Joshua Abreu: “Right now we are talking, and I can guarantee you he is looking at us right now.”

Their backyard’s on camera. The blinds are drawn to block the cameras as they feel they live their life on camera.

Joshua Abreu: “Terrible, terrible.”

But can your neighbors point cameras into your backyard, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “You cannot point cameras at your neighbor’s bedroom or bathroom windows, but you can point them at your neighbor’s backyard. However, if you are doing it for the purpose of invading their privacy, you can be sued to bring the cameras down and get money for the invasion of your privacy, and standing on a ladder to look into their back yard is clearly invading their privacy.”

The next step? Yvonne saw her neighbor, Allan Souza, in court when she went there to make the temporary restraining order a permanent one. Souza was not happy about it.

Allan Souza (in court): “I’m going to file a malicious prosecution.”

The judge will rule on the permanent restraining order after a hearing in January.

Walking out of court, Souza couldn’t explain why he had the cameras pointed at Yvonne.

Allan Souza: “And I don’t even know that person. It’s all her boyfriend.”

Patrick Fraser: “I have seen pictures of you standing over their back fence. Why are you doing that?”

An hour later, things changed. Souza was arrested. Not for the cameras, but for violating the restraining order by standing in front of Yvonne’s front yard.

The next day, code enforcement told Souza that one camera was legal, but others had to have permits. If he didn’t get the permits, he had 30 days to take them down.

Yvonne Gonzalez: “That Mr. Souza told him some of those cameras were fake, just to aggravate us.”

In the meantime, Yvonne put up a big tent to block the camera as she feels better about her problems.

Yvonne Gonzalez: “Absolutely better, absolutely better. Just the presence of you in the courtroom with me, he realizes I may not be alone.”

And we will be following this one, Yvonne, to see if the cameraman stays away from you like the judge ordered.

Lights, camera, too much action for you? Feeling fenced in? Put us in the spotlight to focus on your problem.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Talk about life taking you in a full circle. We met Melanie at the house she grew up in.

Melanie Chojnacki: “Um, there are a lot of memories here, and it is all my old neighbors that I grew up with.”

But after growing up, Melanie went out on her own and bought a condo.

Melanie Chojnacki: “It’s gorgeous. I absolutely loved living there at the time.”

Then Melanie decided to circle back after she got a chance to move into her childhood home, but first she had to sell that condo.

Melanie Chojnacki: “I end up doing everything right. My realtor found this buyer.”

And then two days before closing the sale, Melanie got what you don’t want: Trouble.

Melanie Chojnacki: “The biggest surprise, pretty much at the last minute, was a $1,250 lien on my unit, on all of the units at Cypress Club.”

Cypress Club needed repairs to pass the 40-year recertification. They didn’t get it done. So, Pompano Beach hit the property with fines and a lien on the condos.

Melanie Chojnacki: “And the board didn’t tell us, and the management property never told us. Nobody knew about it until I brought it into the meeting of the [Homeowners Association.]

With the sale of her condo in trouble, Melanie let the board know how she felt in a Zoom meeting a couple of days later.

Melanie Chojnacki: “This is Melanie. If it happened two or three weeks ago and you were aware of this lien, why didn’t you inform other people who are selling?”

HOA Man: “Again, I apologize that this is happening to you. I know it’s tough. It’s not fair.”

Might not be fair to Melanie, but she had to pay the $1250 lien to finish the sale of her condo.

Melanie Chojnacki: “They weren’t going to close on my condo, so I had no choice but to pay it.”

Being able to close the deal and move back into her childhood home made her happy. Having to pay a lien that’s someone else’s fault doesn’t.

Melanie Chojnacki: “I felt horrible. It wasn’t fair to me, and it’s my unit. I should be able to know whether there’s a lien or not on it.”

Well, Howard does a board have to tell residents there is a lien on their unit and if they don’t, do the owners have to pay it?

Howard Finkelstein: “The board has what the law calls a fiduciary duty, a responsibility to inform the owners of anything that impacts them and a lien on their condo certainly qualifies. However, being kept in the dark doesn’t mean the association has to pay your share of that lien. That’s your responsibility.”

As we looked into this, the first thing that struck me was that at the hearing to fine and place a lien on Cypress Club Condominiums, neither the board nor their attorney showed up.

The city wrote that they were not present or represented at the hearing. When I contacted the property manager, he said to contact their attorney. I tried. He didn’t respond to calls or emails.

Turns out the lucky one in all this: Melanie.

Howard Finkelstein: “The reason? It cost her 1250 dollars to get released from the lien and sell her condo, but the special assessments that may come for each owner in the future to pass the 40-year recertification could be a lot more. So, yes, she is lucky.”

And happy to be back in the neighborhood, hopefully for good.

Melanie Chojnacki: “I won’t ever live in a condo again. It was a good experience, but it’s nicer to live in a neighborhood and not have someone kind of micromanage you.”

Welcome back to your home, Melanie!

Now, Howard said the board has to inform owners of what’s going on, but if they don’t, there’s not much you can do. The only remedy the law gives you is to sue, but that’s expensive and not worth it.

Another thing, this is all caused by the failed attempt to meet the 40-year recertification—if your condo is going through it, keep your eyes open and ask a lot of questions.

Feel like you have been whacked by a board? Doesn’t make dollars or “cents” to you. Circle around and lein on us to bring home some answers for you.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Spend some time with Kandi and you realize you’re with a special person.

Kandi Harris: “At one point, I had four boys and a girl. Two of the boys were foster children whom I got permanent custody of.”

One of the children she was lucky to bring in: Kailagh, who Kandi credits with getting her through her battle with cancer.

Kandi Harris: “I mean, she was my main support all through cancer treatment. She was right by me the whole time and she encouraged me to take that celebration cruise, you know.”

Kandi listened to her daughter and took a cruise. Kailagh stayed home to take care of her cats and Kandi’s dog, Oliver, and then came the phone call.

Kandi Harris: “She was found on the kitchen floor deceased.”

The healthy Kailagh with no known conditions was dead. Margate Police investigated.

Kandi Harris: “They said there was no sign of a break-in, no sign of forced entry. She didn’t have marks on her body. They didn’t know.”

A detective took Kailagh’s cell phone as part of the investigation. That was a year ago.

Kandi Harris: “The detective said he can’t give me the phone until they have an official cause of death.”

As Kandi mourns, she is filled with emotions. One for going on the cruise her daughter suggested she take….

Kandi Harris: “I felt guilty for going.”

Patrick Fraser: “Yeah, but that’s not your fault.”

Kandi Harris: “Yeah, but if I were here, maybe I could have saved her.”

Kailagh’s phone is in Kandi’s name, and she paid the monthly bill. But that’s not why she desperately wants the phone.

Kandi Harris: “I just want her pictures. She’s got two cats that she, they’re her babies, and I know she would constantly take selfies with her kitties.”

Kandi says it makes no sense to her why she can’t have it. Kailagh was cremated right after she was found dead, and Kandi doesn’t believe a toxicology report can take a year, blocking her from getting her daughter’s phone.

Kandi Harris: “‘Cause I can’t have her. I could at least have the pictures.”

Well, Howard, Kandi has her daughter’s ashes, but a year later, she can’t get her phone back. Right or wrong?

Howard Finkelstein: “This is wrong, painful to Kandi, and unnecessary. I say unnecessary because the police could have downloaded the information on the phone on the first day and returned it to Kandi. A toxicology report takes weeks and not a year. This doesn’t make sense, and they need to return the phone.”

I contacted the Broward Medical Examiner’s office. They told me the cause of death was ruled undetermined.

I then spoke to Margate Police. They wrote back: “Death Investigations do take time, and some reports come faster than others,” adding they had “just received the final report and would be reaching out to the family regarding the return of the cell phone.”

Kandi then picked up her daughter’s phone.

Kandi Harris: “Overwhelming. It brings me peace to hold the phone.”

As she scrolled through the phone, she saw a picture of her dog Oliver that Kailagh had taken on the day Kandi went on the cruise. Kailagh had said she would send it to show Oliver was OK. She died before she could.

But now, after Kandi’s call to Help Me Howard, she has all the pictures.

Kandi Harris: “I’m so thankful. I don’t think I would have the phone back or have a cause of death or anything if you all hadn’t stepped in. I really, really appreciate this. What you do to help people is wonderful.”

And we get to meet wonderful people like you, Kandi.

Now, Kandi didn’t know the password to open Kailagh’s phone. She tried a few things and failed. That night she told me Kailagh came to her in a dream and told her the password. Kandi said she woke up, tried it, and the phone opened. Wow!

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Pembroke Pines with many beautiful neighborhoods. Peaceful, comfortable–most of the time.

Ruby Freire: “I would like to know what’s going on.”

Ruby’s problems started with her next-door neighbor, who was a Pembroke Pines police officer. Ruby’s dog nipped his dog.

Ruby Freire: “Nobody came to investigate, nobody came to ask us questions, and we were cited $500.”

Ruby thought it was strange the city would only interview the officer and not her, but she didn’t complain and paid the fine.

Things were quiet for a while, till Ruby and her husband’s roof leaked and they put a tarp on it while they battled the insurance company.

Ruby Freire: “And we start getting code violations for the tarps.”

Not legal, Ruby told code enforcement.

Patrick Fraser: “The tarp was OK?”

Ruby Freire: “Right, because it was under litigation.”

But code enforcement wasn’t done.

Ruby Freire: “I got a code violation for my windows, a pergola, and a supposed concrete slab on the side of my home.”

Ruby removed the pergola and got a permit for the windows, which she took the blame for.

Ruby Freire: “My husband was about to be deployed for a year, so I took it upon myself in order to secure my home and feel safe.”

Ruby also removed the strip of concrete that was used to anchor her artificial turf, but…

Ruby Freire: “Then it became about, ‘Your artificial turf is eroding his yard.'”

By now, Ruby had had enough and wanted to know who was filing complaints about her property. She requested the turf complaint from the city.

Ruby Freire: “And they said, ‘Well, we can’t give you that information. It’s redacted.'”

The city said the person who complained was a police officer.

Ruby suspected it was her neighbor who was no longer a Pembroke Pines Police officer.

Ruby Freire: “You have to disclose who the complainant is, so come to find out, it was him.”

When the redaction was removed, it said, “Police Officer complainant: Timothy Cockrell.”

Now, a former officer who is employed by a company that works for Pembroke Pines.

Ruby Freire: “It’s targeted enforcement is what it feels like to me. It’s not just random.”

Turns out the artificial turf her neighbor complained about is legal, but Pembroke Pines believes rocks were installed underneath it, making it illegal.

Ruby Freire: “You’ve elevated the ground on your side, so now this is going to have to go to engineering. And I’m thinking, ‘Well, when does it stop?'”

Some violations were legit. Ruby says some were not. Howard, what can she do?

Howard Finkelstein: “First of all, Pembroke Pines did not follow the law that forces them to reveal who filed the turf complaint against Ruby. They have to do it even if it’s a cop or a former cop. As for the violations, you can’t do anything if they are legit. But how do you prove the city is targeting you for non-violations? It’s darn near impossible.”

I spoke to the head of Pembroke Pines Code Enforcement. Larry Diaco told me they were not targeting Ruby and her husband, that his officers were doing their job.

When I asked why they redacted the name of her neighbor and claimed it was a current police officer, Diaco said it was a mistake and they corrected it.

Ruby’s next-door neighbor, the former officer Tim Cockrell, said, “I don’t care about their violations. I only care about the artificial turf and the water flowing into my yard.”

Ruby then got a third property survey showing their yard had not been elevated. The city then declared they were in compliance.

Ruby Freire: “It’s a big relief to finally be at peace in my own home.”

With everything cleared up, Ruby hopes her battles with her neighbor and the city are over–permanently.

Ruby Freire: “It’s taken a long time for us to get here, and it shouldn’t have taken that long.”

Hopefully, no more headaches for Ruby.

And if code enforcement won’t tell you who filed a complaint against you, contact the city or county manager or attorney. If that doesn’t work, contact us.

Feeling violated? Got no enforcement ability? Come over to our turf cause we have the codes for solutions.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

When Patrick moved to Sunny Isles Beach many years ago, it was quiet. No towering condos.

And today…

Patrick Dunn: “And since then, as you notice along the coast, it’s become a developer’s dream, not necessarily mine.”

Lots of luxurious high rises lining the beach where condo residents vastly outnumber the 200 homeowners on Patrick’s side of the street.

Patrick Dunn: “Oh, we’re treated like the redheaded stepchild. I kid you not. These little 200 homes.”

But, Patrick says all the condo and homeowners have one thing in common — they are not heard.

Patrick Dunn: “Well, unfortunately, my city has taken it upon themselves to censor all public opinion, good or bad, on their social media accounts.”

Patrick reads Facebook and X, sees other cities’ social media accounts where they allow residents to comment. Thousands do, but not in Sunny Isles.

Patrick Dunn: “They only give you the ability to share the post that they make or to like it.”

Patrick says if you want to comment on the city’s no comment decision, you can only speak at the end of long council meetings — or use emails.

Patrick sent this one back in September to every council member asking questions about city proposals.

The response?

Patrick Dunn: “I have emails that have gone unanswered. I have phone calls that have gone unanswered. Not for weeks, maybe even months.”

From Miami Beach to Bal Harbour to Hallandale, residents can give their opinion on city proposals, say “great” or “big L for the country.”

Patrick says he remembers when Sunny Isles Beach allowed comments, but not anymore.

Patrick Dunn: “But honestly, I believe that it’s more like they’re trying to stifle someone’s opinion or point of view.”

The First Amendment of the constitution blocks the government from restricting free speech, and Patrick says you don’t need a long speech to point out the solution in his city.

Patrick Dunn: “I just want to see them open up, to allow the residents to be able to voice an opinion and unfortunately, that’s being censored.”

Well Howard, is stopping residents from commenting on a government account blocking free speech?

Howard Finkelstein: “In this case, no. A government agency cannot block viewpoints or comments that they do not like. In other words, allow positive comments but delete negative ones. However, if the city doesn’t allow any comments at all, that’s legal because they are using their webpage for informational purposes and not as a public forum.”

I contacted Sunny Isles Beach.

The city manager Stan Morris wrote to us:

The purpose of the city’s social media is to provide our residents with up-to-date information regarding city programs and relative emergency updates. Should residents or others wish to comment on city matters, they are welcome to provide that directly to me or our elected officials. They are also welcome to share their opinions on their own social media platforms.

Patrick Dunn: “I am extremely surprised.”

Patrick is disappointed the city won’t allow comments, but he is hopeful they will change to give the residents a voice.

Patrick Dunn: “Create an open forum for the residents to give them feedback, their insight on some of the decisions that our commission is making on our behalf.”

Freedom of speech. If a government agency won’t allow comments on their social media website, and your council members won’t respond to emails or calls, go to their social media sites and comment there.

Battling a problem that’s left you speechless? Tired of being at a loss for words? Speak up and voice your opinion with us ’cause we will never have no comment.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Pamela loves to travel. Her favorites? Foreign countries.

Pamela Bedeau: “The architecture. You get nice, good food. The culture is so great.”

Pamela works two jobs, and every year, she rewards herself with a trip to Europe.

Pamela Bedeau: “Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Greece, and this time Turkey.”

Notice Pamela’s reaction, because she has traveled a lot, but not like her trip to Turkey.

Pamela Bedeau: “One trip ticket from Miami to Istanbul and then from Istanbul to Nevsehir.”

Pamela had two separate tickets: the $1,277 round-trip ticket from Miami to Istanbul, and a $223 ticket from Istanbul to Nevsehir.

Pamela Bedeau: “Where they have the hot air balloon, and I really, really wanted to do that.”

The cost of both tickets showed up on her credit card, and then this $114 charge from Turkish Airlines appeared.

Pamela Bedeau: “I call and say, ‘What’s the $114 for?’ They said they don’t know. Turkish Airlines denied that they ever charged me $114.”

Pamela says an airline employee told her to dispute the $114 charge. She did, and her credit card company returned the money.

Then she got an email from Turkish Airlines.

Pamela Bedeau: “We’ve suspended your ticket until you withdraw the complaint.”

Pamela’s daughter replied: “The dispute was over the $114, not the $223 plane ticket.”

So Pamela headed to Turkey.

Pamela Bedeau: “You will love Turkey. Istanbul, the city, is so nice.”

After a few days in Istanbul, she headed to the airport for her trip to Nevsehir and was told she didn’t have a ticket.

Pamela Bedeau: “The system canceled your ticket, so I showed her my receipt with the ticket, and she said, ‘No, you don’t have a ticket.'”

Pamela was stranded because all the flights to Nevsehir were booked.

She couldn’t cancel her hotel in that city, lost that money, and had to buy a more expensive ticket to fly home to Miami.

Pamela Bedeau: “I had to pay about $700 to come back early.”

The confusion over the ticket, that’s no longer a ticket, cost her over $1,000 and a trip to Nevsehir.

Pamela Bedeau: “That was, I think, the most disappointing part, that I was not able to go in a hot air balloon.”

There is a lot of confusion here. So, whether it’s a U.S. or foreign airline, legally, what can you do, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “Usually, when you are dealing with foreign companies, it’s extremely difficult to get any kind of resolution, but you can file a complaint with the Federal Department of Transportation. Also, the United States and Turkey have signed the Montreal Convention Treaty, which allows someone like Pamela to sue the airline in small claims court in South Florida. If she wins, she will get reimbursed for the cancelled ticket, the lost hotel and any other money she had to spend because of their mistake.”

I contacted Turkish Airlines in Istanbul over and over. They didn’t respond.

I even tried talking to the Turkish Embassy in Miami to see if they had any contact information. They didn’t respond.

Pamela Bedeau: “Not surprised, just disappointed, because that’s the same thing I was going through when I was calling them.”

Pamela has filed her complaint with the Department of Transportation and is going to sue Turkish Airlines in small claims court to get back what she feels she deserves.

Pamela Bedeau: “I think I should get a free ticket since they cancelled my ticket. I think that’s the best thing to do: an accommodation.”

And Pamela is adamant she is going to sue the airline in small claims court. I can’t wait to be there to show you what happens.

Now, if you have any troubles with an airline you can’t work out with them, the link to file a complaint with the Department of Transportation is below. Give them a few days to respond because of the government shutdown.

Once flying high, now feeling grounded? Wanna be airborne again? Plane and simple, take a seat with us, ’cause that’s the ticket to a first-class ride.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

Department of Transportation complaints.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

She spent her morning having surgery. She spent her evening in jail.

Sandra Daniel: “Scary a little bit, frustrating.”

Let’s begin as Sandra got home with her four-year-old.

She noticed a white car that she says shouldn’t be in the parking space and snapped this picture.

Sandra Daniel: “I had an email from management requesting photos of vehicles that didn’t belong in our parking lot.”

Sandra then opened her garage door and says the driver of the car she had taken a picture of pulled up.

Sandra Daniel: “She rolls down the window, she starts screaming, insulting me.”

Sandra says she grabbed her groceries, her daughter and walked through the garage into the kitchen.

Sandra Daniel: “When I turn around she is right there and she’s like doing this. ‘Oh, who the [explicit] do you think you are taking pictures of the parking lot?'”

Obviously Sandra says she was scared.

Sandra Daniel: “I grab my firearm and I just said ‘Who the [explicit] do you think you are you need to get the [explicit] out of my house.'”

Sandra has a license to carry the gun and she says she wasn’t going to shoot anyone, just wanted the lady to go away.

She did and Sandra closed the garage door.

30 minutes later, Hialeah Police knocked at her front door.

Sandra Daniel: “Because they received a phone call saying that I waved a firearm at someone.”

The woman told police she was parked legally, and was sitting inside her vehicle when Sandra approached her saying she was going to shoot her.

Absolutely false, Sandra told police.

Patrick Fraser: “You told your side of the story.”

Sandra Daniel: “I sure did.”

Patrick Fraser: “She told her side of the story.”

Sandra Daniel: “Yes.”

Patrick Fraser: “They believed her.”

Sandra Daniel: “Apparently so.”

Patrick Fraser: “Why?”

Sandra Daniel: “I don’t know.”

Sandra was handcuffed and taken to jail, charged with aggravated assault with a firearm.

The troubles mounted. Police contacted the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Sandra Daniel: “They told children and families that I endangered my daughter’s life by owning a firearm.”

And after Sandra met with DCF, she got a letter from the landlord’s attorney.

Sandra Daniel: “Stating that they are terminating my lease and I have seven days to vacate. When I asked why, they said because I was arrested.”

Sandra tried to explain her side, that she did nothing wrong. Like the police, the apartment complex didn’t listen.

Sandra Daniel: “Because I was the person who got arrested, I’m the bad guy on paper. So I have to vacate in seven days.”

Three devastating blows, Sandra is stunned.

Sandra Daniel: “You know, if you protect yourself, you go to jail, why do I have to move?”

Let’s start there, Howard?

Howard: “Sandra does not have to move. If I were her, I would send the attorney a letter declaring her innocence and her intent to stay. The association will then have to sue for eviction in court and prove she is guilty, which may be difficult in a she-said-she-said case. As for the criminal charges, if the state decides to move forward, that’s more difficult because they have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Sandra is guilty, and in a she-said-she-said case, it may not be enough to do that for the prosecution.”

In the police report the officer didn’t write about Sandra’s version of the woman coming into her kitchen, just that Sandra said the victim “walked into the garage.”

The officer wrote there were “no witnesses” and no video available at this time.

Hialeah Police said they would look into the case and get back to me but have not done so yet.

The association’s attorney didn’t respond to me and I tried to contact K. Meneses, the woman who accused Sandra. She didn’t respond to my calls.

Sandra Daniel: “The sense of uncertainty, of you don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

Sandra is fighting back.

She sent the letter to the association’s attorney for the landlord saying she will not vacate her apartment and will fight it in court, just like she will fight everything else in this case.

Sandra Daniel: “I want my name to be cleared, for sure, because I’m not a criminal. I’m a not a bad person.”

Right now, the State Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case to see whether they move forward or drop the charges. And how does Sandra prove she is not guilty? She doesn’t have to. The landlord and the state have to prove it. We will follow this one.

A problem handcuffing you? Looking for the key to a solution? Let us take charge, and give your headache a rest.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

She asked us not to identify her.

Patrick Fraser: “You did nothing wrong.”

Lolita: “I’m sorry, but it’s just very embarrassing to me.”

Lolita, as we will call her, is facing a major change in her life, after ICE arrested her husband.

Lolita: “He was almost crying because, you know, he had a life. Not only him, thousands of people that have taken, they have a life.”

Now the man who left Cuba 20 years ago to gain freedom is locked up, first at “Alligator Alcatraz” and now at a prison in Texas.

Lolita: “He didn’t want to tell me, but he had to sleep on the floor for 20 days or so.”

Her husband didn’t follow U.S. immigration laws. Lolita is an American citizen but doesn’t believe his punishment is right.

Lolita: “If they’re doing the right thing, if they’re working, I mean, why? It’s not fair, it’s not just.”

But its legal, and the financial effects are now hitting now Lolita.

Lolita: “Like I have that credit card problem. I’m not able to make the payments.”

Her husband was the breadwinner. Lolita only has a small Social Security check, and can’t afford the rent on their apartment.

Lolita: “I’m a nervous wreck.”

They lived in federal subsidized housing, where rent is based on income.

Lolita went to the manager to explain her husband and his paycheck were gone forever.

Lolita: “He has to come here and sign these papers so we can finish getting him off the lease.”

Of course, he can’t come in to sign anything since he is in a prison in Texas.

Lolita: “I just want them to do the right thing, you know, just lower the rent.”

And while she waits for a manager to determine her fate, she talks to other people like her, who lost a family member.

Lolita: “She talked to me for an hour and she’s devastated. She has a year old, seven year old.”

You can’t see her face, but she has no idea how she will survive, without her husband.

Lolita: “I don’t know, I do not know at all.”

Lolita will deal with the future tomorrow. The present is today.

And if you are in a lease, can you break it or get the rent lowered in a situation like this? Howard?

Howard: “In almost all cases you cannot break a lease or have your rent lowered because of a family member being arrested by ICE. However, in some situations where the government subsidizes your rent, there is a clause in the lease that allows a reduction in rent if one of the income producers loses their job, dies or gets arrested and that should be done for Lolita.”

I contacted the property manager. She didn’t return my calls.

But Lolita produced this document plus a letter showing her husband was in ICE custody and would not be returning.

That did it. Lolita then got a new lease, with the rent lowered to a price she can afford.

Lolita: “Yes, they did. Yes, they did.”

As we met with Lolita, she made coffee for us, because something her husband had said in their last conversation.

Lolita: “I miss my coffee, my cafe con leche.”

Lolita says she will get by, but she worries more about other families who had their breadwinner taken away.

Lolita: “And you see a lot of people that have small children, which must be much, much worse.”

It’s a strange, difficult time for people like Lolita.

And the irony, after deporting her husband, the U.S. Government will now have to pay more to help her with her rent.

Will she instead follow her husband when he is deported, she says she doesn’t know because of her bad health. Clearly, she’s overwhelmed right now.

A problem depressed you? Need to be lifted up? Send it to us to improve your spirits.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Hurdles happen in all our lives, but few have faced a headache like Allan.

Allan Nowak: “Well, I’m an unlucky guy.”

Ten years ago, Allan hired a company to move him half a mile away. They were scammers.

Allan Nowak: “$400,000 plus was either stolen or damaged.”

They stole his artwork and other valuables. Allan sued them and a judge ruled the movers owed Allan $408,000.

More bad news for Allan: the movers disappeared and he had to change directions.

Allan Nowak: “Then you move on to collecting your judgment because it’s an insurance company we’re dealing with.”

It took eight years and instead of the $408,000 judgment, the insurance company finally agreed to pay Allan $150,000.

The money was sent to his lawyer.

Allan Nowak: “Papers were signed, the money came into his trust account.”

Sounds like good news but Allan has a dark cloud over his head in this case, which continued when he asked his attorney to put the money into his girlfriend Lauren’s account.

Allan Nowak: “He wired the money but it never came in.”

The attorney had sent the money where, an email said, to a bank in Colorado.

Allan said he had emailed to wire it to a bank in Miami.

Allan Nowak: “And then he said, ‘I think you were hacked, or Lauren was hacked.'”

Allan didn’t believe he was to blame, and pointed the finger at his attorney.

Allan Nowak: “You had control of all the money, all the time. We had no control of the money.”

Allan notified police and the FBI. He was told it’s a civil matter.

The attorney said his insurance company is investigating.

But 10 years after Allan got ripped off by movers, he’s still fighting.

Allan Nowak: “It’s very frustrating, my whole life is dependent on that money.”

Well Howard, what does Allan do now?

Howard: “It depends, and while it seems simple, it’s complicated. If the lawyer got hacked or should have known that Allan or his girlfriend got hacked, his insurance company is responsible to reimburse Allan for the stolen $150,000. But if Allan or his girlfriend got hacked and the lawyer had no reason to know, the insurance company might not have to reimburse Allan. Like I said, it’s complicated.”

When I read emails between Allan and his attorney, at one point the hacker changed the address for Allan’s girlfriend Lauren from “cb1” to “clb01.”

The crook used that email address to get the money wired to the wrong account.

I spoke to Allan’s attorney, a well respected South Florida lawyer. His words: “I want this resolved as much as Allan does.”

He said because of attorney-client privilege, he couldn’t discuss his conversations with Allan but said his insurance company is investigating, and Allan says the attorney told him to expect good news regarding his $150,000.

Allan Nowak: “He says it could take anywhere from another four to six weeks.”

Patrick Fraser: “So in four to six weeks, your luck can change?”

Allan Nowak: “Yes, it can.”

If Allan gets the money, he can afford the down payment on a condo, but he won’t hire a mover this time.

Allan Nowak: “No, I’m going to do it myself one piece at a time.”

Battling for 10 years, wow. Hopefully your luck will change, Allan, and you get that money. We’ll let you know how it works out.

And with hackers hitting so many people, if you are wiring money, wire a portion and call the person to confirm, then wire the rest or write a check.

Moving in the wrong direction? Don’t get wired. Transfer the problem to us and let us hack away at them.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

As we looked at Chris’s beautiful antique pickup truck, the number 50 was appropriate.

Christopher Crespo: “So, 1953 is Ford’s 50th anniversary of producing and production of their cars.”

The 50th anniversary Ford, which Chris decided to give himself, on…Take a guess.

Christopher Crespo: “So when I turned 50, it was kind of coincidental, cool to have their 50th anniversary car. So you know, it was kind of a way to make those things memorable. I only turn 50 once.”

And Chris got something else on his 50th birthday: A $100 gift card from his mother.

Christopher Crespo: “To a restaurant that we go to at least once a week, if not once every two weeks.”

One of Chris and Elizabeth’s favorite restaurants.

Christopher Crespo: “And we know the servers, we know the bartender, they know my name, they know my cell phone number.”

After eating there in August, Chris took out the gift card to pay for dinner.

Christopher Crespo: “She took it to her manager, walked back, and she said, ‘My manager’s not accepting it.'”

Chris asked to speak to the manager, whom he had never seen before.

Christopher Crespo: “His words were, ‘We’re in the new management, so I can’t accept your card.'”

Fortunately, Chris had actually brought the receipt for the gift card and also scanned the QR code to show the $100 balance.

Christopher Crespo: “He looked it over, he paused for five, 10 seconds, and he still stayed on the same as, ‘We’re not going to accept your gift card.'”

Chris says he shook his head and pulled out his wallet.

Christopher Crespo: “We just paid our tab, cash, and we just left.”

Chris lost $100, a favorite restaurant, and they lost a good customer.

Christopher Crespo: “So since that day that this happened, which was maybe a little bit over a month ago, I haven’t been back.”

Chris has called and emailed the restaurant over and over. No one has responded, leaving him with a worthless gift card given to him by his mother.

Christopher Crespo: “So if I buy a gift card today and a week from now, you change managers or are under new management, do I lose my gift card?”

We all have gift cards, so what’s the law on them, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “In almost every case, the business has to honor the gift card. They don’t expire and are as good as cash. But if the business is sold, sometimes the card is no longer good. In this case, they just changed management, so the card has to be honored.”

I called La Romanita in Hialeah. I was told the manager would be in the next day. The next day, I was told the next day, same thing on the third day.

I can take a hint, so I stopped by. No manager was there, so I asked to have the owner get in touch with me. A few hours later, Julio Amores called me and said the manager who refused Chris’s gift card had been fired, and of course, they would accept the gift card.

Christopher Crespo: “That’s great to hear, that’s good. I am glad at least he is doing the right thing, not only for me but for everyone else that might have a gift card.”

The next day, Chris went to La Romanita. They took the gift card, he got a great meal, and he is happy after that call to Help Me Howard.

Christopher Crespo: “I am glad that I called you guys, and I am glad you were able to give me a positive outcome at the end of this whole entire ordeal.”

Glad to help you, Chris, and glad the restaurant did the right thing.

Now, if a business won’t accept a gift card, it’s not worth it to sue over $100, so go to social media, see if a post or two gets their attention. One more thing, if you have gift cards in a drawer, use them, cause most of us will forget them, or if you are like me, you will lose them.

A problem eating you up? Here is some food for thought. Fork it over to us and let us digest the situation.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

Joseph was in the Marines, joining the fight in Afghanistan for America.

Joseph Truscello: “Yes, I would not change anything for the world, honestly. If I had to do it again, I would definitely do it again.”

When Joseph returned to South Florida, he used some of the skills he learned rappelling from helicopters and towers to start a tree business.

Joseph Truscello: “So we do tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding.”

And to honor the men and women he served with in the military, the sergeant named his company Sergeant T’s Tree Service.

Joseph Truscello: “So that’s why I wanted it to be known that they have a local veteran business that they can count on to take care of things.”

Everything was great, till a neighbor complained that Joseph parked a couple of trucks in his backyard. Davie Code Enforcement cited him.

Joseph Tuscello: “They said that I cannot keep my business here unless I have an agricultural tax exemption.”

And that created problems.

In Afghanistan, Joseph was injured and was granted a veterans exemption, which lowers the property taxes on his house. To get the agriculture exemption, he would have to put a legitimate business, like a nursery, on his property and lose his veterans exemption on that part of the property.

Joseph Tuscello: “So I would have to basically forfeit my [Veterans Affairs] benefit for taxes to take on an agricultural exemption.”

It would be devastating for Joseph to give up his veterans exemption, because his property taxes would go from $325 to $10,000 a year.

Joseph Truscello: “It’s gonna hurt me to the point where I will not be able to afford to live here anymore and put the house up for sale.”

Joseph can’t afford to park his trucks at a warehouse, can’t afford to lose part of his veterans exemption, and is hoping for one thing.

Joseph Truscello: “If the town could make some kind of exception for me and my property, so that I can continue to live here.”

Well, Joseph successfully fought for his country, but how can he fight his way through government rules, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “First and foremost, Joseph has to protect his veterans exemption, and there are ways to do it and keep his trucks on his property. Two appear to be the best: Give Joseph a special permit to allow him to park his trucks behind his house. The city has never done it, but there’s a first time for everything. Also, Joseph told us he has a concrete slab in the backyard that was there when he bought the property. It’s big enough for his two trucks and equipment. If the concrete is up to code, he should be allowed to park his trucks there.”

I contacted Davie’s attorney, Allan Weinthal, who is also a veteran, and was a great help to Joseph and me, explaining what steps had to be taken.

Joseph Truscello: “I think the town of Davie is trying to work with me on this issue.”

Davie gave Joseph extensions to give him time to work through the situation. He tore down his fence and put in a new one to come up to code. He cleared the property behind his house, removing 200 yards of tree debris, revealing the concrete slab big enough to park the trucks. Joseph hopes the city accepts that solution.

Joseph Truscello: “That would be an ideal solution, I would say.”

If Davie approves the concrete, Joseph was told he would have to sod the remaining portion of his yard at a cost of $4,000. He doesn’t have that money now, but he finally has a path to save his house.

Joseph Truscello: “I really hope so, because this is like my livelihood. I don’t know what else I would do.”

We have been working with Joseph since February, and with Davie’s help, he’ll get through this and not be forced to sell his house.

Now, the expenses have been piling up for Joseph, and he still needs thousands to resod his property. Someone suggested a GoFundMe page. Joseph told me he didn’t want to do that. He’s proud. He’s a Marine.

Got a trunk full of problems? Need to cut through the mess? Branch out and call us. We don’t have military precision, but we would like to chip away at a solution.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

If you wake up this morning, no pain, things to look forward to, you’re lucky… Bill is not.

Bill Platt: “I am in constant pain, and it gets so tight at night that I literally cry. My wife will tell you that. I literally cry at night.”

Bill is sick, very sick.

Bill Platt: “I have an enlarged liver, I have tumors in my abdomen that are deteriorating into my other organs.”

We all will face passing away one day, but Bill says it’s hard to describe what it’s like.

Bill Platt: “You just can’t prepare for something, for death, you can’t.”

As his body weakened, doctors determined he was eligible for hospice care while living at home.

Bill Platt: “To keep me comfortable, it was all about pain medication.”

And Bill was told he wouldn’t be in hospice long.

Bill Platt: “They had told me if I make six months that I would be lucky.”

But Bill says with prayers, good nursing care and determination, he made it to six months.

Bill Platt: “I thought I was going to die a couple times, but I kept fighting it. I wanted to stay alive, I enjoy life.”

That surprised the doctors.

Then Bill got a surprise–he was no longer eligible for hospice care.

Bill Platt: “Is it because I didn’t die quick enough? He goes, ‘Basically yes. In other words, you didn’t die quick enough so we are not keeping you on.'”

Being released seems like a victory, but Bill says it’s not for his body.

Bill Platt: “And now it’s becoming worse and worse where I am deteriorating. I hate to use that word, but they keep using it to me.”

Under hospice, Bill says the team was able to control his pain.

Without that care at home, Bill knows what’s coming.

Bill Platt: “I am dying, but who knows when. I won’t be able to take the pain, there’ll be no way.”

And facing that, his request is simple.

Bill Platt: “I’d like to see me be able to get back on hospice without any nonsense.”

You’ve heard Bill’s story, Howard. Legally, is he entitled to return to hospice care for his remaining days?

Howard Finkelstein: “In most cases, if doctors determine you are near death, you can return to hospice care. But unfortunately in Bill’s case, the cancer is so rare and the progression unknown, that the doctor cannot with certainty say his death is imminent. Therefore under the law, he does not have a right to hospice care, but he does have a right to proper pain medication.”

Making it difficult to help Bill under HIPAA laws, no one can discuss his case with us, but Paul Ledford, the president of the Florida Hospice Association, was very helpful.

Speaking in general, he wrote that to be eligible for hospice, two physicians certify the individual has a life expectancy of six months or less.

If it’s then determined the patient has improved or stabilized, Medicare no longer permits hospice services, and if a program retains the patient, it will be considered fraud under the False Claims Act.

Ledford added, a patient may be readmitted to hospice care if two physicians determine the patient is in decline.

But Bill says no more hospice for him.

Bill Platt: “I don’t think I want to go back in there, I would rather pass away at home.”

When we visited Bill again, he looked a little better–because he was able to get a doctor to prescribe powerful pain medication.

Bill says it’s still not enough.

Bill Platt: “Nah, I don’t feel that good. I don’t think I have much left.”

Bill called me to see what time he would be on TV. It made him happy, he laughed. Little things. God bless you, Bill.

Now, if you or someone you know may need hospice care there are people to talk to or a website to visit to get answers for you.

Not a good time for puns today.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News

Hospice information
https://lethospicehelp.org/
Toll free hospice help line: 800-282-6560

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Michael is a single guy who collects and cooks. Collects Funko Pops.

Michael Jacobs: “Definitely over, probably a hundred, I would imagine.”

And likes being in the kitchen.

Michael Jacobs: “I do cook quite often, pretty much like three or four times a week.”

But Michael is busy at work and can’t cook every day.

Michael Jacobs: “No, definitely not every day. Some days I definitely have to order out.”

His go-to delivery? Uber Eats, which is what he did for lunch one day.

Michael Jacobs: “Yeah, they delivered it here.”

Sort of. Let’s go to the cameras.

Here is the driver bringing Michael’s sandwiches. He puts the bag down, steps back and takes a picture.

Then watch this. He walks up to the food and picks it up.

Michael Jacobs: “He’s gone. He left with it. ‘He’s supposed to leave it,’ I thought.”

Michael had a second camera recording the delivery dropoff and takeoff.

Michael Jacobs: “This is outrageous. How can you take someone’s food? I was depending on it; I needed to eat.”

Michael had paid $32 dollars for the two subs. He contacted Uber to get his money back.

Michael Jacobs: “They said they had called the driver, and he said he did not have my food, but it has been delivered. Technically it was, but he left with it.”

Michael tried to send Uber the video to show the driver taking his sandwiches. He says their system would only allow him to send one picture, which didn’t show much of anything.

But Michael says an Uber rep did make a promise about their driver.

Michael Jacobs: “They told me he will not be matched with me again personally. Outrageous, in my opinion, how someone can clearly not do their job and keep their job.”

A driver took Michael’s food. Uber took his money and won’t return it.

Michael Jacobs: “That’s why I had to call you. I didn’t know what else to do. It’s ridiculous that they allow this kind of thing.”

Uber says their driver’s picture shows he delivered the food. Michael’s videos show he also took it.

Seems simple, Howard … or is it?

Howard Finkelstein, 7News legal expert: “Legally, this is an easy one. Companies rely on the picture their employees take to prove the delivery was made, but in this case, Michael’s video tells the entire story and shows the food was taken back. Therefore, no excuses. Legally, Uber has to return Michael’s money.”

I contacted Uber. Two hours later, they reached out to Michael.

Michael Jacobs: “They sent me an email saying I got my $32 or $33 back, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic about the situation.”

After an Uber rep asked what our deadline was, I didn’t hear from them anymore, but no matter. Michael got what he wanted, and he thinks he knows why Uber changed their mind.

Michael Jacobs: “They finally saw the video they wouldn’t let me send. I don’t know how you got them to watch it, but you did. Worked out very well.”

And Uber may have broken a Help Me Howard record … by resolving the problem in two hours.

Now, if Michael didn’t have a video, he would have lost, because the driver had a picture that he says showed he delivered. If you like to order food and can’t meet the delivery person at your door, you might want to get a camera or two.

A problem eating you up? Here is some food for thought. Deliver it to us, and let us digest your troubles.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

In our hectic, crazy lives, Alina has a quiet, peaceful getaway.

Alina Casal: “Yeah, it’s a nice place, you know. Relax, the lake, there’s a lot of ducks.”

Sit on her porch, with her dog, Jack, watching the wildlife and water.

Alina Casal: “That makes me very happy.”

But of course, it’s the real world, and headaches always find us.

Alina Casal: “The owner now, he does not let me go to the easement.”

Alina lives in a townhouse connected to others, and separated by a strip of land.

Alina Casal: “And, it is a common easement, and he put a gate, and they have a lock.”

The property survey shows the strip of land owned by her neighbor is a common easement.

Alina was always able to walk through it to get to the water’s edge and walk to her yard until a new neighbor put up the fence and locked the gate.

Alina asked for a key.

Alina Casal: “He said ‘No.'”

The big problem? Alina needs to do some landscaping in the backyard, and her trees are overgrown.

Alina Casal: “I wanted to trim the tree some because hurricane season is on, so, they’re getting big.”

Since the yard guys couldn’t go through the easement to get to her backyard, Alina let them come through her house, once.

Alina Casal: “Look how my floor has cracked from all those, you know, from those guys coming in with those machines.”

When Alina again tried to reason with her neighbor to get access through the easement for the yard guys, it got ugly.

Alina Casal: “It was crazy. Then the guy started telling me off, cops and everything, all because of the fence.”

Once so quiet, so peaceful, and now such a problem after a neighbor decided to lock the gate.

Alina Casal: “Selfish. Very selfish.”

That’s a fact to Alina. What are the facts according to the law, Howard?

Howard: “While Alina’s neighbor owns the strip of land, Alina has an easement—in other words, legally, she has the right to go in and out, the neighbor can put up a fence and a gate, but if its locked, Alina has to be given a key.”

I left a card for Alina’s neighbor, but he didn’t respond.

I contacted Miami-Dade County. They told me the the fence in question was properly permitted but the county does not enforce matters of access; this would be a civil matter between the neighbors. However, the owner should allow access when requested by the other unit owners.

Howard: “If the neighbor refuses to give her access, Alina can go to court and a judge will order them to. Hopefully the neighbor will do the right thing.”

And they did, three times I checked. Each time, the gate was unlocked.

Alina Casal: “I am so happy! I just love you, I love it, I love it!”

Alina’s yard guy can now get to work without going through her living room and Alina can relax again.

Alina Casal: “I love help me Howard. Can I give you a hug? Thank you for helping me.”

You’re too sweet, Alina.

Why can’t neighbors be nice to each other? Or if not nice, don’t be aggravating. You are going to be living side by side for years, so find a way to get along.

A problem got you fenced in? Cannot access any help? We have the key, to help you unlock a solution. Let us.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

When Hector’s office closed and his job ended, his wife had an idea.

Hector Mejia: “She offered me if we wanted to switch roles. She went back to work and I stayed home with the kids.”

Hector says being a stay at home dad with their children, was special.

Hector Mejia: “Yes, it’s very gratifying, I loved them when they were home.”

The kids are back in school now, giving Hector time to deal with a rental property problem.

Hector Mejia: “We bought it, and we renovated it, and then we put it out in the market to rent.”

Hector didn’t want to look for a tenant so he hired a company that specializes in that.

Hector Mejia: “The credit check, the background check, and so on.”

The salesperson sent Hector the contract, which he read.

Hector Mejia: “We agreed to half the month rent, which is about, $800-something.”

A one time $800 fee. He was then told to go to their website, provide his bank account information, and sign the contract. He did. And then…

Hector Mejia: “And then just last week, they sent me an invoice and withdrew $1,250 out of my account without any authorization.”

The contract the salesperson sent Hector read that the fee was “50 percent of one month’s rent,” which would have been $800. The contract that was on the business’s website said the minimum fee was $1250.

Hector Mejia: “And that’s when I found out the link that they gave me was different totally. It’s a different contract.”

Hector explained that to the salesperson. They didn’t budge.

Hector Mejia: “They’re sorry about how things went and unfortunately, they had to do it their way.”

But their way is not the right way, Hector believes. Instead of paying them $800, he now has to pay $1,250.

Hector Mejia: “The difference is not much, but it’s the principle of things.”

Well, what do you do in a case like this, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “If the electronic contract is different than the one he was provided, the electronic contract is not valid or binding and they have to charge Hector the fee he thought he was paying from the first contract.”

We contacted the property management company. They didn’t talk to us but said they would handle it with Hector directly. He then told us, he couldn’t discuss the dispute anymore.

Howard Finkelstein: “Usually, this means Hector signed a non-disclosure agreement. In return, the customer gets what they were asking for.”

Hector can’t talk about what he went through, but he can talk about one thing.

Hector Mejia: “I am very happy, I am very happy that Patrick and Howard could help me.”

Glad to help you. And Hector did the smart thing by reading the entire contract, but if they give you a different one, you have to read that one as well. I guess that old saying, “You can never be too careful,” sticks around cause its true.

Come in contract with a problem? The fine print got you fuming? Document it and contact us. Cause there is no fee, we’re free.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Residents like Alma Pinder Dalton and others said the Florida Keys in 1935 was gorgeous, beautiful and starting to grow.

“He had just built a new house,” said Alma Pinder Dalton, a resident who lived through the hurricane.

“We had a two story home on the beach,” said Norman, another resident who lived through the hurricane.

Back in that time, people built their wood frame houses right on the beach. There were roads and cars, but no bridges from island to island so people had to use the ferry.

To link the islands, a YouTube video shows the overseas highway under construction.

A thousand World War I vets were recruited to come down and do the highway construction work.

Then on Labor Day of 1935, word started to spread that there was a storm coming.

“The weather bureau said we wasn’t gonna get it,” said Pinder Dalton.

Pinder Dalton lived through the hurricane. She remembered the weather bureau saying the storm wasn’t coming, but she said her dad disagreed.

“We’re gonna get something. So we shuttered up the house and moved over to uncle Russell’s to sit the storm out,” said Dalton.

At the same time, the U.S. government sent down a train to evacuate the veterans, but it wouldn’t make it in time.

As the sun set, each family tried to find the safest, closest house.

“We moved up to a little cottage,” said Norman.

As it grew dark, the wind picked up and the nightmare began.

“The water started coming up. I remember the water around my feet and the roof went off,” said Norman.

“We all got to the back door to go out. We were following my daddy out and the house went to pieces,” said Dalton.

The wooden houses were destroyed. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters were left struggling in a 20 foot wall of water that swept over Matecumbe and Islamorada.

“I was just hanging on to uncle Fred,” said Dalton.

“We’re floating now, we’re a raft, we’re floating over the trees,” said Norman.

At the same time, the wind estimated at 185 miles per hour roared through. A devastating Category 5 storm.

“Everybody’s ears were peeled from the wind and the rain. It was terrible,” said Dalton.

“It was hard to breathe because of the pressure problem,” said Norman.

As the sun came up, Norman will never forget what he saw.

“A lot of us didn’t have any clothes because the wind had blown our clothes off,” said Norman.

And the beautiful Florida Keys were gone.

“Complete desolation,” said Norman.

“Everything was flat. It was just flat. There was nothing,” said Dalton.

The train that came to rescue the workers was torn from the tracks.

Sadly, there were fatalities from the storm.

“Sophie and aunt Camille was found under the refrigerator,” said Dalton.

Officials said 485 people died, including 228 civilians and 257 veterans.

So many bodies, they were tied to docks and stacked on land. Too many bodies to bury, so they cremated many of them.

“You’re looking at the dress that Alma Pinder Dalton wore in the ’35 hurricane,” said Barbara Edgar, a hurricane historian.

Barbara Edgar is now trying to preserve the history of the 1935 storm in honor of her father.

“He started researching it years ago and, of course, talking with the locals that went through it,” said Edgar.

Irving Eyster hosted many of the ceremonies at the monument to the victims in Islamorada and wanted to be sure the legacy of this storm lived on.

And if another one heads toward the Keys, Norman says “remember the 1935 storm and do something simple.”

“Secure what you got and leave,” said Norman.

It was good advice 90 years ago, it’s still good advice today.

Many people bake to enjoy the dish. Nicole bakes to make people smile.

Nicole Dechert: “I love creating cakes because we get to be a part of people’s special events, and that’s really special for us.”

Nicole owns The Cake Lovers in Broward.

Nicole Dechert: “I love my job so much. It’s very rewarding in so many ways, and I’ve worked extremely hard to get to where I’m at today.”

It’s a bakery with a great reputation for creative cakes and pastries … and since Nicole’s on Help Me Howard, a burning problem.

Nicole Dechert: “So this specific person decided that they had the right to use my business’ photographs on their Facebook, Instagram, their website.”

The employee had been with Nicole for four years and decided to start her own bakery. Then she is accused of using pictures of Nicole’s cakes to attract customers to her bakery.

Nicole Dechert: “This cake is on The Cake Lovers website, and here it is also by Elizabeth’s.”

Picture after picture. The one on the left is a cake the former employee posted on her website. On the right, the same cake from Nicole’s bakery.

Nicole Dechert: “So I reached out very kindly and said, ‘Hey, please take them down.'”

She didn’t. Nicole sent a cease and desist letter. She ignored it.

Nicole Dechert: “She has not taken the photographs down, and she’s continued posting my products as her own on her business page, which is not allowed.”

Taking not one photograph from Nicole’s bakery, not 10.

Nicole Dechert: “I’d have to sit there and count. There is probably over 100.”

Using Nicole’s pictures, even though she signed an agreement to not do that, that reads: “You could not use The Cake Lovers cakes and desserts as your own or to promote work on a side business.”

Nicole Dechert: “I’m flattered that she loves what I’m doing here and my brand. However, it’s not yours. Create your own thing, your own design.”

The former employee even admitted she was using pictures from Nicole’s business writing on her website: “Some images displayed depict cakes and desserts made by me while employed by previous professional bakeries.”

But you can’t do that, Nicole countered.

Nicole Dechert: “I don’t even have the words to describe how frustrating and upsetting it is, especially after all I’ve done for that individual.”

Nicole worked 15 years to build The Cake Lovers. Can a former employee use her pictures that could damage Nicole’s bakery, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “No. Copyright and trademark laws prohibit you from using someone’s creations or even your creations while you were employed by them. And just saying the pictures came from a prior employer is still infringement. You have no right to use it. If you don’t stop and get sued, it will cost you financially.”

I tried to speak to the former employee several times. Elizabeth Sabella didn’t respond to emails or phone calls. Finally, after a few weeks, she sent an email demanding I “cease all direct and indirect contact” with her, “prompted by false claims made by a former employer.”

I emailed back: “What are the false claims?”

She didn’t respond, leaving Nicole with one last option.

Nicole Dechert: “Now, I’m going to have to take her to court and pursue legal action at this point. It’s the last thing I wanted to do.”

It will be expensive, but Nicole believes it has to be done to protect her Cake Lovers creation.

Nicole Dechert: “I worked really hard to earn this business, and I have this successful business for many years, and she doesn’t have the right to take it as her own.”

Why does the former employee think its OK to use The Cake Lovers’ pictures? She wouldn’t talk to me, but when Nicole sues, she will have to talk to the judge, or she can simply solve the problem by taking the pictures down.

A problem left you glazed over? Tired of the half-baked scheme? Turn up the heat and let us provide the icing on the cake.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

It was nice to hear from Denny again.

The reason he called, though, was not so pleasant.

Denny Dorcey: “It’s just so ridiculous. I mean, the whole thing.”

Let’s go back to December. Denny had contacted Help Me Howard after he got letters from the City of Oakland Park, announcing fines he had to pay.

Denny Dorcey: “The letter said that I owed the city over $1 million for code violation fines.”

One-million ninety-seven-thousand four hundred dollars to be exact.

Denny Dorcey: “It was like having a bomb dropped on me, I just couldn’t believe it.”

We did a little digging; the fines were slapped on a prior owner of the property back in 2010.

Denny then bought the house in foreclosure in 2014, and the city never notified him about the fines until 2024 when they soared past $1 million.

Denny Dorcey: “Because this is a monster that’s way too big for me to handle.”

Legally, Howard thought it was clear.

Howard Finkelstein: “Since Denny bought the house in foreclosure, state law requires any liens and fines to be lifted and wiped out.”

Oakland Park agreed with us.

Denny Dorcey: “With your help, it went away, and they told me that everything was taken care of; I owed nothing, I had to pay nothing.”

Getting the fines and liens removed had an enormous impact on Denny.

Denny Dorcey: “I couldn’t sleep over this whole thing; the mental anguish was terrible, and then I went back to work, that got me back into shape and I thought I was almost feeling normal again.”

Everything was great, and then this month, Oakland Park sent another letter.

Denny Dorcey: “This one was like $500,000 and change.”

The city that fined Denny $1,097,400, that admitted it was a mistake, had reinstated the same violation for $502,200, signed by the same city official who Denny spoke to back in December.

Denny Dorcey: “He assured me this was taken care of and resolved. This was not resolved.”

Clearly Denny doesn’t owe it, but it’s not clear what he needs to do now.

Denny Dorcey: “All I’m wondering is, you know, what’s the city going to do next?”

Well Howard, legally, what does the city need to do to stop this?

Howard: “Clearly the city made a mistake, again. It’s up to them to fix it, and to change their procedures to make sure it doesn’t happen to Denny and anyone else.”

I contacted Oakland Park about the half-million dollar fine.

The next day, they said they “issued that letter in error,” adding they “apologize for the confusion” and their “records have been corrected to prevent a recurrence,” relieving Denny, again.

Denny Dorcey: “You bet I am, and I am glad you guys are here for the community of South Florida because we need you, man.”

Denny is happy but, after being hit with those outrageous fines twice, a little skeptical.

Denny Dorcey: “I always believed that you should have good, old-fashioned trust and pride in the city you live in, but I just don’t trust these people.”

Well they tell us it’s fixed Denny, but we will stick with you to make sure those fines are gone for good.

And it is illegal to try to collect a debt that is not owed, but the law does not apply to government agencies. Plus, this wasn’t intentional; it was accidental.

Mistakes messing up your life? Wanna feel fine again? Lien on us to leave you feeling like a million bucks, or half a million.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Phyllis and Stanley got married. After 30 years, they got divorced. And today they know which era is better.

Phyllis Jacobs: “Divorced. We are much better friends.”

Friends who still hug and help each other, which is why Phyllis was at Stanley’s townhouse.

Phyllis Jacobs: “Everybody has termites.”

Termite wings and droppings are all over the home. Normally, you’d tent to kill them, but Stanley can’t since he lives in a townhouse.

Phyllis Jacobs: “Four of us have agreed to be tented, but our next-door neighbor does not agreed to be tented.”

The five houses are connected. You can’t tent just one, and spot treatments haven’t worked either.

Phyllis Jacobs: “Right, everybody’s sprayed, and every time you spray it’s really expensive, and they tell you that it doesn’t help, that you have to tent.”

The cost to tent would be around $850 per unit owner. Stanley offered to pay the bill for the neighbor who won’t tent. She said no.

Phyllis Jacobs: “We’re offering to pay for this. What is – what is the reason? And she never gave me one.”

Stunning to Stanley, as he constantly has to clean up termite droppings.

Stanley Jacobs: “The termite eats the furring strips up in the attic, and then the drywall falls. It comes loose and falls.”

There is no association here. No property manager. So the residents have to work things out with each other.

Phyllis Jacobs: “All the houses are going to get destroyed. I don’t understand why this lady doesn’t want to tent. Her house is being destroyed.”

Stanley owns the house, but feels like he doesn’t control it.

Phyllis Jacobs: “And everybody needs to know that when you’re living in connected houses like this, your neighbors control what you can do.”

Or do they, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “When there is no law on the books to force a holdout to tent, the law allows you to seek injunctive relief. In other words, sue in county court to force the owner to allow the tenting and pay their share of the extermination bill. And in many cases, the judge will force the person refusing to tent to pay the legal fees for the people who sued to get the tenting done.”

In our interview, Phyllis said she would pay for the neighbor’s extermination bill to help Stanley. I contacted the woman who doesn’t want to tent.

She said she didn’t have termites and was tired of Stanley and other neighbors harassing her about it. Then she told me, if Phyllis would pay for her share of the tenting, she would allow it. Then she and Stanley started battling over a code violation on their shared wall, and the deal fell apart.

Meaning Stanley may have to go to court.

Stanley Jacobs: “If the only process is to sue her to get this tenting done, than I am going to do whatever I have to do to do that.”

Stanley expects to win in court, but never thought he would be held hostage as termites chew through his house.

Stanley Jacobs: “It’s been a nightmare. Almost two years I have been dealing with this, Patrick.”

We will follow Stanley in court, unless the holdout agrees to allow the tenting when she realizes she will probably face big legal fees when the neighbors win in court.

And Stanley wants the county or state to change the law so other people don’t go through what he is going through, which the government may be able to do. We will see.

Problems swarming around you? Tired of being bugged? Let us wing it to exterminate the pest for you.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Vania has a spectacular view of South Florida from her 51st-story condo.

Vania Fernandez: “When I walked out, it was a little impressive, and it takes your breath away.”

It is impressive and it does take your breath away. Too much for some people.

Vania Fernandez: “When they get close to the balcony, they sort of step back a little bit.”

Over the past three years, Vania has been remodelling her place to make the view inside as impressive as outside…

Vania Fernandez: “So we took down this wall.”

She also redid a bathroom—adding a nice jacuzzi tub.

Vania Fernandez: “I wanted the jets in the back so that when you are sitting, you can have a massage on your back.”

The tub was installed in the marble case, with the plumbing and electric hooked up, and…

Vania Fernandez: “The breaker started tripping.”

The electrician was brought back.

The tub was filled with water and turned on, and it was electric, literally.

Vania Fernandez: “He put the meter into the water and noticed there was electricity in it above the acceptable level.”

One technician wrote “the voltage level in the water [was] low,” but “dangerous.”

Another technician came in and replaced a few parts.

Vania Fernandez: “Not only is there more electricity detected in the water than before, but there’s a leak in the tub.”

With water leaking and an electric current flowing, Vania contacted the manufacturer to get the tub repaired or replaced.

More bad news.

Vania Fernandez: “They say that because of the contractor, our warranty is void.”

The manufacturer wrote “the tub was not water tested before installation, and this voids their warranty.”

The contractor replied “the tub was water tested.”

Vania Fernandez: “And then the contractor says that the manufacturer is responsible for providing a working product.”

And stuck in the middle is Vania.

Vania Fernandez: “All I want is for the tub to work.”

But right now she is high and dry. 51 stories high in a dry tub.

Legally, your turn, Howard.

Howard Finkelstein: “The manufacturer is responsible for repairing or replacing the tub unless the installer, in this case, the contractor installs it incorrectly, creating a problem. How do you prove who is responsible? It’s difficult and expensive. You have to hire lawyers, experts, and hope you win in court, or give up and buy a new tub.”

This took a while, back and forth.

The tub manufacturer told me the jacuzzi “was probably not grounded properly,” tripping the breakers, and added “nothing electrical in the tub touches the water.”

The contractor tested the tub again, said they couldn’t find the problem, and added, “It’s an appliance, all we did was plug it in and hook up the plumbing.”

Vania Fernandez: “So we were basically at a standstill when we last spoke, so nobody was moving because everybody was pointing fingers.”

Then a representative from the manufacturer, Hydro System, broke the logjam.

Writing “nothing positive will come from continuing to debate back and forth with the contractor.”

Hydro Systems then said “Ship [the] tub back to us. Any problems will be addressed, and the tub will be returned” to Vania.

The general contractor then offered to remove the tub for free and the store where Vania bought it offered to pack up the tub and ship it out for the repairs for free.

Vania Fernandez: “I’m definitely moving forward.”

Just what Vania had been hoping for, for months.

Vania Fernandez: “It was so wonderful to see the goodwill and people working together to try to come to a solution, and that only happened after you were involved.”

And the next time we see Vania, hopefully, she’ll have that nice jacuzzi tub installed.

Now, if you’re getting a product that requires installation, if you can, get a factory-authorized rep to do it, to avoid any finger pointing if something goes wrong.

A problem left you shocked? Want to unplug from it? Don’t accept a watered-down solution. Let us leave you feeling sky high.

With this Help me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Back in the day, Oscar took your kids to school.

Oscar Alicea: “I used to drive a school bus for 10 years, and I was a mechanic at the same time.”

And he took being trusted with children seriously.

Oscar Alicea: “You know, and I know, the safety of all the school zones. I know everything. I know you’re not supposed to be speeding and everything.”

But this summer, Oscar got hit for speeding through a school zone near his home.

Oscar Alicea: “Two weeks later, you get a fine in the mail when the schools are closed. Why is that? I don’t understand.”

Public schools in Miami-Dade closed on June 5. Oscar got four tickets for going over 15 mph on June 12, 13, 16, and 17.

Oscar Alicea: “And there’s no light flashing, there’s nothing. I know the school’s closed, but they’re closed. Everything’s closed. There are no kids, there is nothing.”

The sign says “15 miles per hour on school days when flashing.”

Oscar Alicea: “If the light is flashing, I will go my speed limit, but it’s not.”

The signs on 22 Avenue are a little confusing.

One says the school zone is 7:15 to 4:15, others say the standard times.

Oscar Alicea: “And the tickets that I have, there’s no school in session, they’re closed. It’s crazy!”

There is a private school on 22 Avenue that didn’t end classes for a couple of weeks after public schools.

But Oscar counters: the flashing lights were off, and the ticket cameras kept clicking.

Oscar Alicea: Why am I keeping getting fines? You know, it’s not right.”

Oscar now has four $100 tickets. $400 in fines, meaning if guilty, his license will be suspended.

Oscar Alicea: “That’s why I contact you guys, because this bothers me, I never got a ticket in my life. Never. Never, for nothing.”

So, should Oscar be ticketed in a school zone when public schools are closed and the light is not flashing, Howard?

Howard: “It’s imperative that the children are protected around schools, but it’s also important that the signs and lights are consistent. If you have a light that’s not flashing and you ticket a driver who relied on that light, it’s unfair. A state statute says you can have a sign with times, and you can have a light, but they can’t contradict themselves like in this case. In my opinion, the tickets should be dismissed.”

I contacted the Miami Gardens Police Department, where Oscar was cited.

They told me that flashing lights are not required to issue a ticket, that the cameras were deactivated after the private school ended classes.

When I asked why the flashing lights were turned off, then and tickets were still being issued, I was told the state controls the lights.

But then Miami Gardens did the commendable thing. Writing “Oscar’s tickets have been dismissed” as well as other drivers because of “residents being unaware that the [private] school in that area was still in session.”

Oscar’s reaction when I told him the tickets were wiped out?

Oscar Alicea: “When you go to Puerto Rico, everybody, when they’re singing or dancing or anything to celebrate, wepa, wepa, that’s the way it is.”

Patrick Fraser: “And that’s the way you feel right now?”

Oscar Alicea: “That’s the way I feel right now, happy.”

Happy his tickets were dismissed, and happy about his determination.

Oscar Alicea: “I didn’t give up. Wepa. Ha-ha-ha.”

Glad we could help you, Oscar. Wepa!

Now schools are starting back, so slow down in the school zones and also don’t go by a bus when it’s stopped and the lights are flashing, or you’ll get a ticket there, too.

Zoning out, trying to solve a problem? No solution flashing in front of you? Bus us in to stop you from getting schooled.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

A bus driver needs a bus to do their job. A photographer needs a camera to snap pictures. And a boat mechanic can’t fix anything without tools.

Jeffrey Mauk: “You’re useless. It’s like you got a bowl of soup and you got a fork.”

Jeffrey has been in the marine business for 35 years.

Jeffrey Mauk: “This is a $500 setup right here, just this.”

Buying hundreds of tools in his career.

Jeffrey Mauk: “About $60,000 invested in tools over the years.”

These things are actually priceless to Jeffrey, because most shops won’t hire you if you don’t have your own tools.

Jeffrey Mauk: “From a car dealership to a marina to a carpenter, you have to have your own tools. Everybody knows that.”

Then one day, Jeffrey showed up at work and found the door locked.

Jeffrey Mauk: “There’s a message on the door: ‘Broward County Sheriff eviction notice.'”

The shop owner, Jeffrey’s boss, was a few days late with rent.

So Jeffrey called the landlord and asked to get this tools back. The reply?

Jeffrey Mauk: “‘Those are my tools now. It’s my right that I can liquidate the entire contents of the building.'”

Jeffrey countered, the battle is between the landlord and the man renting the shop, not him.

Jeffrey Mauk: “I’m an employee. I’m not the one that pays the rent.”

No luck, leaving Jeffrey locked out and the $60,000 in tools that took decades to acquire now untouchable.

Jeffrey Mauk: “It just makes you sick. It makes you want to just break down. I’ve been robbed; that’s how I feel.”

Jeffrey can’t afford a lawyer to fight in court. Then he looked up at his TV.

Jeffrey Mauk: “Channel 7 was on, it was about lunchtime, and my one friend, I said, ‘Hey, I’m going to call Help Me Howard.’ He goes, ‘That’s like a lottery if you’re lucky.'”

You don’t have to win the lottery to find out if the landlord can keep your tools, Jeffrey.

Go ahead, Howard.

Howard Finkelstein: “They absolutely cannot keep Jeffrey’s tools. Many commercial leases allow the property owner to keep the tenant’s property if they do not pay the rent, but they cannot keep the property of the tenant’s employees or customers if they evict the tenant.”

This has never happened before.

Minutes after we interviewed Jeffrey, he called me and said, “Don’t contact the property owner, yet.” The owner of the shop where Jeffrey worked was trying to put together a deal to reopen the business for a few weeks.

He succeeded.

Jeffrey Mauk: “Yeah, we’re going to take care of the existing customers that were in line to be served.”

Jeffrey has his tools back, and will not let them get taken from him again.

Jeffrey Mauk: “I am so happy to have that, because now I can make money, you know? Without it, I was just stranded.”

We’re happy for you, Jeffrey. Now, if something like this happens to you, and things can’t be worked out, the solution is what the law calls a writ of replevin, where you ask a judge to force the property owner to release you valuables. You can do that without an attorney.

And if you suspect the business you work for is about to go under, take your valuables home with you.

Feel like someone is treating you like a tool? Can’t wrench yourself out of the way? Let us motor in and leave them in your wake.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7news.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Ulyana is a swimming coach.

Ulyana Navarro: “I work with the little kids. I really enjoy working with them.”

Not only does Ulyana like coaching kids, she makes a splash as an instructor. Her two children are proof.

Ulyana Navarro: “The oldest son, he is in the national level. And my little guy, he is probably the top 100 in the country right now.”

The water is good to Ulyana. Some blood work has her sunk.

Ulyana Navarro: “So I went to my doctor’s office, and they sent me to do my blood work.”

If you have insurance like Ulyana, it usually covers most or all of the lab work, but not in this case.

Ulyana Navarro: “After a while, I received the bill for almost $300, and I said, ‘What happened? I have the insurance.'”

Ulyana called the lab to find out why she was being billed for a simple Vitamin D test.

Ulyana Navarro: “They said, ‘Well, the wrong code was being sent to us. Let’s say the code is 5678, and they put 5679 instead of the 8.”

Ulyana contacted her doctor’s office to try to straighten it out.

Ulyana Navarro: “They assured me that they sent the right code, everything is solved.”

But it wasn’t resolved, as Ulyana felt like she was swimming upstream trying to solve her problem.

Ulyana Navarro: “I email many times. I called many times, and I came in person many times, and nothing is done.”

Ulyana thought about paying the $294 bill, but decided no.

Ulyana Navarro: “We are already paying insurance, we are already doing what we have to do. So why would I have to pay for somebody’s mistake?”

The news got worse, as Ulyana got a letter from a collection agency demanding she pay the $294.

Ulyana Navarro: “My credit score is 820. So, my credit score go down.”

Clearly, the swim coach is frustrated.

Ulyana Navarro: “I’m just stuck. I’m stuck in the middle of the pool. There’s no way out.”

Or is there a way out, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “If the insurance company tells you the code for the blood work is not covered, contact your doctor’s office to correct it. Now, if the code is correct, the patient is responsible for the bill. But the doctor should tell you before the test that insurance won’t cover it, so you decide if you want the blood work done.”

I contacted the hospital where the doctor’s office is located. A Mount Sinai spokesperson couldn’t discuss Ulyana’s medical records with us. But it was explained to her.

Ulyana Navarro: “According to insurance, you need to have a pre-existing condition to do this kind of test.”

Ulyana didn’t have the condition, so the lab work wasn’t covered by insurance, but Mount Sinai was great.

A spokesperson wrote to us: “MSMC confirmed with Quest that the bill is being taken care of as an act of goodwill, and she will not receive any more statements.”

Just what Ulyana was hoping for when she called Help Me Howard.

Ulyana Navarro: “It took me over a year, and nothing was done. My problem got solved in less than two weeks. Mr. Patrick is a real magician.”

Ah, we just got lucky, Ulyana. Now, Ulyana needs to check her credit score, and if it was affected, she needs to let the credit bureaus know that the bill has been satisfied.

Finally, how do you know if it’s the right code for medical work? You have to depend on the doctor’s office, and before you get any procedure, make sure your insurance covers it.

Getting needled by someone? Tired of the bloody mess? Let us prescribe a solution to nurse you back to peacefulness.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Stephen has a great attitude. Remarkable considering the hand life has dealt him.

Stephen Miller: “I was born with cerebral palsy.”

Today, Stephen takes care of himself and his brother Joseph, who is mentally challenged. And Joseph helps Stephen, as well.

Stephen Miller: “I’m glad he’s here. If he wasn’t here, it would be almost impossible.”

They get by on disability checks. But a few years ago, Stephen had $9,200 and got some strange advice.

Stephen Miller: “‘Well, put your money in the cashier’s check, and it’ll be safe. It’ll be good for seven years.'”

That was 2018. Stephen hid the cashier’s check and forgot about it. Then, his ceiling cracked. His wheelchair started to break down.

Stephen Miller: “The wheels need to be replaced.”

He had to borrow $3,500 to fix a plumbing problem and his floor buckled making it difficult for Stephen to get around his own house.

Stephen didn’t have the money to fix things, but he thought he got a break while looking through some drawers and found the $9,200 dollar cashier’s check. He headed to the bank

Stephen Miller: “‘Sorry, Mr. Miller, this is no payee file found.’ So, basically, the check is null and void.”

The bank told him to check the unclaimed funds website in Florida and in Ohio, where the bank is headquartered.

Stephen Miller: “You know, there’s like a million Stephen Millers and Stephen Michael Millers. It’s not there and it’s, like, a crushing feeling.”

Stephen and Joseph have so many repairs to make, but the $9,200 that would pay for most of it can’t be found.

Stephen Miller: “I reached out to Channel 7 and Help Me Howard, I’ve seen how you guys do your damndest to help people.”

If you forget about your money in a bank account, can it just disappear after a few years, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “Legally, it can’t disappear, but after a number of years, the bank no longer has to maintain the account. However, they do have to send the money to the state’s unclaimed fund account, where a record is created, so the owner of the money or their heirs can get it.”

I first contacted Chase. A bank spokesperson quickly responded writing, “We can confirm that the funds from the cashier’s check were “escheated” (reverted) to the state of Ohio.”

I contacted the Ohio Department of Commerce. They were nice enough to give me the name of a woman to personally help Stephen find his money.

Stephen Miller: “‘I need your social security number.’ She generated a claim and I had them notarized and I just sent them back to them on Friday.”

While he waits for the $9,200, Stephen got a fellow to temporarily patch his floor so he can get around, and hopefully, he will soon be able to pay for all the repairs after that call to Help Me Howard

Stephen Miller: “You guys are like my lifeboat, you know. I was sinking and about ready to drown.”

Great metaphor, Stephen, I might call you for some writing tips.

Now while the cashier’s check was good for seven years in Florida, Chase went by Ohio law, where it’s good for five years. Either way, Stephen will get his money.

And if you want to see if you have any forgotten money in Florida, or maybe a relative who has passed has money there, click here to find out.

A problem floored you? Want to patch things up? Check with us to help you cash in.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

People work hard, which is why it’s nice to relax a little.

Suhrud Rajguru: “So I love to exercise.”

And then about a year ago, Suhrud met some fellows who exercised by playing frisbee.

Suhrud Rajguru: “They invited me to join their little pick-up group.”

Every week or two they text each other and get together at Armbrister Park in Coconut Grove.

Suhrud Rajguru: “That is really fun, to get around with a bunch of people, throw around, play Ultimate Frisbee.”

A lot of fun … till it wasn’t.

Suhrud Rajguru: “We get approached by the manager from the parks at Armbrister, and they tell us that we need to have a permit.”

A permit to play in the park. Suhrud explained they are no different than kids playing on the basketball court.

Suhrud Rajguru: “We’re not an organization. We don’t charge any member to play. Why would we need a permit?”

The answer from the park rep?

Suhrud Rajguru: “Because we had more than 10 people, they deemed us as an organization, and we needed a permit.”

Suhrud explained that only eight people play the frisbee game at a time, below their 10-player limit, and they only use a small part of the field.

Suhrud Rajguru: “Typically we play at night, between 8 to 10 p.m., and usually there is nobody here.”

Suhrud read the City of Miami permit handbook and thought it was clear the guys didn’t need a permit, but he went ahead and asked about the cost of a permit.

Suhrud Rajguru: “To have an event one time would require around somewhere between $80 to $100-something.”

Suhrud was told the $80 permit fee was only good for two hours, meaning if they played once a week it would be $4,160 a year to play frisbee.

Patrick Fraser: “And you paid for this park with your taxes.”

Suhrud Rajguru: “Correct.”

Patrick Fraser: “But you can’t use this park.”

Suhrud Rajguru: “Correct.”

Patrick Fraser: “Well, you can for $4,100.”

Suhrud Rajguru: “Correct.”

Suhrud Rajguru: “All we want to do is just get together, have fun, play, relax.”

Cities and counties encourage residents to use the park, but can they block them in this case, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein, 7News legal expert: “Miami has a right to control their parks, but I never heard of a city who thought it was a problem for eight people to play frisbee. In this case, their own rules say the players do not need a permit because it’s less than 10 people. But even it was 10 kids playing basketball or baseball, or adults playing frisbee, it’s what parks were made for. Let them play.”

From the believe-it-or-not category, when we went over to Armbrister Park to talk to Suhrud, three fellows came over. The first words, about a permit.

Park employee: “Have they got the permit already?”

Patrick Fraser: “We don’t need a permit to interview someone.”

He took his phone call, and they walked away.

I contacted the City of Miami about the frisbee players haveing to have a permit. A spokesperson wrote: “The purpose of our rules is to prevent organizations from exploiting public spaces for profit.”

Then the good news for Suhrud and his friends: “It is not mandated to have a permit for this size group, and we encourage them to continue to use our wonderful parks.”

Suhrud Rajguru: “It’s great that the city understood that we’re just citizens trying to enjoy the park.”

Now is a few kids want to play basketball, they don’t have to pay, and adults don’t need a permit to throw a frisbee.

Suhrud Rajguru: “Thank you so much, Patrick, Johnnie and Channel 7 News. I really, really appreciate all of you.”

Johnnie is our photographer, who shoots all the Help Me Howards.

Glad we could straighten out that little misunderstanding at the park, and I admire people like Suhrud, who see something wrong and want to fix it. It’s the kind of people that make doing Help Me Howard so much fun for us.

Someone parked a problem with you? Wanna exercise your rights? Toss it our way, and permit us to help … for free.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Meryl is so lucky to still be able to sit on the porch with her mother.

Meryl Leaman: “She’s going to be 96. I’m thankful every day.”

Dortha Moore: “I will be old enough to vote.”

Dortha jokes about her age, but why she has to sit outside on a 90-degree day with fans blowing doesn’t amuse her.

Dortha Moore: “It’s actually cooler out here on the porch than it is in the house.”

That’s because two weeks ago,their air conditioner broke — for the fourth time.

Meryl Leaman: “It’s the same issue every time: the evaporator coil. There’s oil inside, no freon, just leaked everywhere.”

An AC person repairs the coil again and again, and then it leaks again. He has now given up.

Meryl Leaman: “And he said to me, ‘This can’t be fixed.'”

Then more bad news.

Meryl Leaman: “They’re now telling me that the coil is no longer readily available and would have to be built.”

No one has any idea how long that will take, leaving them in a house where the thermostat hits 92 degrees in the daytime.

Dortha Moore: “I have neuropathy, and the heat is making them worse. They’re swelling real bad.”

Since the unit is under warranty, Meryl called the manufacturer and asked for a replacement air conditioner. She said they said, ‘No. Wait for the replacement coil,’ irritating her.

Meryl Leaman: “This needs to get resolved sooner than later, so you’ll hear from me every day.”

There is another option, but buying another $8,000 unit is impossible for Meryl.

Meryl Leaman: “I’m actually out of work right now, and she’s on Social Security.”

They did get a portable air conditioner for the kitchen so Dortha can sleep in a chair. But that only lowered the temperature to 84 degrees in that room.

Meryl Leaman: “She even said last night that she can’t do this much longer. It’s just really taking its toll on her.”

Dortha can’t stand it, Kiana isn’t happy, and their failure to get a replacement air conditioner has them all steaming.

Meryl Leaman: “It’s frustrating, and it’s annoying. They don’t want to listen to me. So that’s why I’m reaching out to Help Me Howard.”

Well, Howard, does the warranty require the company to replace the unit?

Howard Finkelstein: “It’s actually complicated. A warranty for a product like an air conditioner requires repairs if it breaks down. If it cannot be repaired again and again, it has to be replaced, but the law doesn’t specifically say how many attempts they get to repair it before they have to replace it.”

I contacted the AC company corporate office. A Trane rep told me: “We escalated this to our Residential HVAC Customer Relations team.”

After a few more emails back and forth, good news.

A representative wrote to Meryl: “In special consideration of your situation, as a one-time goodwill gesture, Trane will provide a replacement unit at no cost.”

Dortha Moore: “Well, I was happy that they were going to replace it.”

Meryl Leaman: “I was surprised, because they had initially told me they weren’t going to.”

Nice of Trane to do that, since they could have kept trying to repair the air conditioner. But now, no more sweating for Meryl and her mother.

Meryl Leaman: “I am so glad that I called you, and so thankful for Channel 7 and Help Me Howard for getting this done.”

‘Cause it’s not healthy to live in a 90-degree home.

Now, when it comes to a warranty, read it, because you wanna know what you are facing if something goes wrong. In this case, things turned out alright.

Is the heat on you? Tired of things being frosty? Don’t get hot about it. Chill and let us cool things off.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Its Morningside—Miami’s oldest historic neighborhood—filled with beautiful homes and tall towering trees.

Brett Ury: “We have trees that date back to the original plot that were designed with trees that are 100 years old.”

Mango, Gumbo Limbo, Royal Poinciana, and now many of them will become sawdust.

Alexandra Sarmiento: “I think it’s a tragedy.”

The trees will be cut down to make room for sidewalks on both sides of Northeast Fifth Avenue and 50th Terrace. Also being ripped out: hedges, ornamental landscaping, and driveways in the city’s easement.

Sandy Moise: “Esthetically, it’s going to take away much of our lush landscaping that truly is the charm of Morningside.”

The sidewalk plan was proposed by Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo back in August of 2024.

But many residents say they didn’t find out till last month.

Brett Ury: “It seems sneaky to me.”

According to the city plans, 229 trees are in the path of the sidewalks, but it’s not clear if they will all be affected.

In Barry’s case, the sidewalk will be closer to his house than the street. Same for his neighbor.

Brett Ury: “We would be walking through this family’s yard right here.”

Up and down the street, tree after tree, coming down.

Brett Ury: “Gumbo Limbo tree is gone and that mango tree is dead in the center of the path as well.”

The oaks and many are protected and can’t be cut down, but to install the sidewalks, Barry said the city will have to come close to this tree’s roots.

Brett Ury: “Because if they have to cut this out, they’re going to destabilize the tree. It can fall and hit my house.”

The Morningside Civic Association did vote for the sidewalks.

Sandy Moise is on the board but opposes the project.

Sandy Moise: “Absolutely. The city is definitely wasting their time trying to destroy a beautiful neighborhood.”

But can a city commissioner and a council cut down trees that have been here for decades? Howard?

Howard: “Yes, if it’s in what’s called the easement, which is a portion of your property that the government has the right to control meaning they can cut down your trees to install a sidewalk. But elections have consequences and if you don’t like what your commissioner or council member is doing pressure them to change their mind and if not, vote them out of office.”

I tried to speak to the city commissioner backing the sidewalk plan. Damian Pardo didn’t respond to me.

But a spokesperson for Pardo did send an email, explaining where the idea for sidewalks came from.

That Commissioner Pardo was approached by residents concerned about hazardous traffic on Northeast Fifth and 50th.

Many residents have a simpler cheaper solution than sidewalks.

Sandy Moise: “Put in a couple traffic calming devices, speed bumps, a little bit more signage.”

Pardo’s spokesperson said the commissioner put out brochures on doors regarding projects in Morningside that included a survey that showed residents overwhelmingly support the sidewalks.

The homeowners living on the affected streets counter with their petition showing 42 of 43 owners opposing sidewalks.

According to a transcript of Pardo’s meeting in June, he said “We went door to door” to talk about the sidewalks. One homeowner replied, “That’s a lie.”

The city is now looking at a revised plan to drop one sidewalk, but still install the other three sidewalks. Something homeowners don’t want.

Alexandra Sarmiento: “And this is just regretful.”

Right now residents are worried about their trees and the way Morningside has looked for 100 years.

Brett Ury: “To come in here and change the aesthetics of such a beautiful street is insane.”

Finally, I did speak to the head of the Morningside Civic Association, Mark Supino, who said the board did vote for sidewalks in general but no specific plans.

And he hopes there’s time to find a solution that will make everyone happy. We will keep following this.

A problem towering over you? Can’t seem to cut into it? Branch out and contact us. So you don’t have to uproot your life. With this Help me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Buying a home has been called the American Dream. At least it is in the beginning.

Tracy Pereira: “It was supposed to be my sanctuary, my home.”

Tracy filled her townhouse with wooden pieces of art that caught her eye.

Tracy Pereira: “My favorite is ‘Crazy Man Number Six’ over there.”

But now, one big problem.

Tracy Pereira: “The problem is, I have mold due to a leak.”

It began when water started pouring down from the apartment above Tracy.

Tracy Pereira: “The entire bathroom was so wet that a wood vanity that was anchored into the wall fell off the wall, breaking the toilet tank, sending all that water downstairs.”

The leak was apparently fixed, but left behind water damage in the upstairs bathroom.

The bedroom is so damp, Tracy says it caused the wooden ceiling fan to droop, mold in another bedroom, the water dripping from a rusty pipe stained her floors, and more damage downstairs.

Tracy Pereira: “I’ve just been so overwhelmed, and I just feel so defeated.”

Tracy says she contacted the property manager.

Tracy Pereira: “Started with phone calls. Constantly dismissed, put off.”

As time passed, Tracy noticed a change, in herself.

Tracy Pereira: “There’s not one moment of the day where I feel normal. There’s double vision, there’s dizziness.”

Tracy then hired a mold inspection company to check out her home.

Patrick Fraser: “What did they find?”

Tracy Pereira: “Mold. At least four different types of mold.”

Tracy says she sent that report to the association. When nothing was done, she had to rent an apartment to protect her health.

Tracy Pereira: “To pay out two different places? My life is totally different.”

Tracy doesn’t have insurance because her townhouse is paid for. But after an hour in her home, the mold even had an effect on us. Tight chest, coughing, in what used to be Tracy’s dream home.

Tracy Pereira: “I felt very defeated. I need help.”

Mold. Step in, Howard.

Howard Finkelstein: “First thing, stop the water leak, and that seems to have been done in Tracy’s case. Next, determine who is responsible. If it’s a neighbor or the association, and they fix the leak quickly, you have to take care of your damage. Now, if the leak is not fixed quickly, the neighbor or the association is responsible for your mold removal and any property damage.”

Instead of contacting the local property manager, I contacted the regional boss.

He said he was not aware of Tracy’s mold problem. He sent a company in that confirmed the mold and wanted to pay a different company $4,500 to take care of the problem.

Tracy said that was not enough, because that price wouldn’t cover all the work that needs to be done.

Tracy Pereira: “He wants to come out and cut out a moldy patch of a wall. If you don’t clean the mold and remediate it, it’s just absolutely pointless.”

We then did a three-way call with Tracy and the management company. Nothing could be worked out.

Tracy says she will now have to sue the association to get the work done the way she wants.

Tracy Pereira: “It’s devastating.”

Not what she expected when she bought her dream home.

Tracy Pereira: “It’s the exact opposite of everything it was for the last 14 years.”

We were able to help Tracy get things moving towards a solution, but it may take a judge to resolve this. We’ll keep an eye on this case for you and let you know what happens. And even if your place is paid for, you might want to get homeowner’s insurance to cover things like mold.

A damp problem left you swamped? Wanna leak out the details? Pour it into our laps so we can soak up a solution.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

It’s a nice property, a nice place for Sonia.

Sonia Polanco: “It has a little lake with some ducks. We have a pool in the back, I enjoy living here.”

There is also a fence for security surrounding the complex, and that’s why Sonia’s happy home has became a headache.

Sonia Polanco: “And I feel like this is ridiculously unfair and unjust.”

It began when Sonia’s visitor didn’t do a good job of parking.

Sonia Polanco: “This is where the vehicle ran over this, this is the mark. It stopped right here.”

The car did hit the fence, barely bending it, Sonia says.

Sonia Polanco: “And when we went to pull it in a little bit, this broke! That’s the only thing that broke, this.”

Sonia then got an invoice from the property manager to repair the damage.

Sonia Polanco: “And I am being charged $2,250 for a bracket like this.”

Sonia was given a seven day notice to cure, a fancy way of saying ‘fix the fence’.

She contacted two fence companies.

Sonia Polanco: “One offered me a $300 estimate, the other one offered me a $50 estimate.”

Sonia called the property manager.

Sonia Polanco: “They told me ‘No, you can’t fix it. You’re not allowed to have no one to come and fix it.’ These people still want me to pay $2,250.”

Sonia didn’t take pictures after her visitor hit the fence, but she believes there is some confusion that she is getting a bill to repair damage made to other parts of the fence by other people.

Sonia Polanco: “There’s more damages here. There’s a damage here that they probably going to want to charge me for but it don’t have nothing to do with me.”

The management company did offer to let Sonia pay $150 a month to pay off the repair bill. She says she can’t afford that, doesn’t think she should have to pay, and worries she will be evicted if she does not.

Sonia Polanco: “Honestly? I’m even embarrassed to tell you. I felt suicidal, honestly. I felt like, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to be homeless. I’m gonna be in the street.'”

Sonia has problems with this fence- Got some answers, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “Yes. First, if a visitor damages the property, you are responsible if they won’t pay to repair it. But they have to show proof of what it’s costing and it has to be a reasonable price. One more thing, they get to choose the repair person—not you.”

I contacted the property management company.

They said there was extensive damage to the fence, but they didn’t have any pictures either.

We talked back and forth for a month…

I won’t bore you with the details, but I was told the owner liked Help Me Howard and would lower the $2,250 bill to $400.

If Sonia paid that, they would consider this over and guarantee they would renew her lease.

Sonia’s reply…

Sonia Polanco: “Woo, Jesus! Thank you, lord! Hallelujah, praise the lord for Help Me Howard!”

I think it’s safe to say Sonia is glad she called Help Me Howard.

Sonia Polanco: “They helped me for real, only $400 from $2,250 only because I called Help Me Howard. Thank you, Patrick.”

You are welcome, Sonia, and she told me she paid the $400 bill that day.

Also, it was nice of the complex owner and his rep to lower the bill to something Sonia could afford.

And finally, how badly was the fence damaged? Without any pictures, who knows. But we know it’s over and Sonia is happy.

A problem got you fenced in? Tired of railing against it? Contact us, and picture this: we open the gate to a solution. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

It’s stunningly hot outside. Even hotter inside for Marisol and her family.

Marisol Pagan: “The AC broke in our apartment.”

That would make life tough for anyone, especially Marvin.

Marisol Pagan: “He has cerebral palsy, and he wears diapers. He’s 20 years old, but he has a state of mind of 8 years old.”

On the day we were there, it was 90 degrees inside the apartment.

Marisol Pagan: “It’s been unbearable. I mean, we’re basically miserable at times.”

Marvin doesn’t understand what’s going on, leaving him irritated and angry at the discomfort.

Marisol Pagan: “Acted very aggressive, and he charged at me, and then he went ahead and he scratched me here.”

When Marvin gets upset, his boxer Booster, who’s always with him, comes to calm him down.

Marisol Pagan: “You see the dog is right next to him. That’s where the dog stays. So they have a very special bond. I think they’ve had it for over eight years.”

A sweet, calm dog, and believe it or not, Marisol says he is the reason the property manager won’t fix the AC.

Marisol Pagan: “And I told her, ‘Listen, I can’t deal with this heat. Can you please come and fix it?’ She’s like, ‘No, they’re not going in there because that dog is too big.'”

Marisol offered to take the dog to a park while the air conditioner was repaired, but Marvin’s grandmother thinks they are trying to get Booster permanently removed.

She told 7News in Spanish, “And I’m never going to take that puppy away from him, because this is part of my grandson’s life.”

When we spoke to Marisol, it was the 13th straight day with no air conditioning. Marvin was showing the effects of the heat.

Marisol Pagan: “Yeah, he started bleeding three times already. He bled through his nose.”

Marisol is concerned about Marvin, but it’s hurting her as well.

Marisol Pagan: “And I had seizures for. It took a couple of minutes for that seizure to go away, and it was due to the heatstroke. I just couldn’t breathe.”

They’ve tried sleeping on the balcony. They can’t afford a hotel, can’t afford to move out, and can’t believe what’s happening to them.

Marisol Pagan: “And spoke to her again and nothing. The same thing, ‘Remove the dog, or I’m not going to fix it.'”

Well, can a manager refuse to fix your air conditioner because of a dog, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “No. You have a right to a service or emotional support animal in your apartment, and the landlord cannot refuse to fix the AC because you have a dog. They can require you to put the animal in a bedroom while the repair is being done. But if they still refuse to fix the air conditioner, file a complaint with the state or federal government. We will give you the links.”

Maybe it was a coincidence, but the day we were at the complex, the repairman came by and fixed the air conditioner. The dog was put in a separate room.

I wanted to know why the dog had anything to do with the 13-day delay.

The property manager didn’t return my calls, and when we went to the office to leave a card to call us, the person there handed it back to us.

We went to the corporate office. The door was locked. I left a card asking them to call me. They did not.

After the AC was running, and the apartment was cooled off, Marisol didn’t want to talk to us anymore. But we don’t mind; the family got what they wanted.

Thirteen days with no air conditioning. I cannot imagine it. And one more note: If something like this happens to you, you can get rent money back, since it took too long to fix the air conditioner.

Also, Howard mentioned filing complaints about housing issues. The links are under this story.

Things heating up in your life? Tired of just chilling? Flip the switch to us, ’cause we won’t dog it while trying to help you.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

FOR MORE INFO:
Federal Complaint
State of Florida Complaint

Some things in life don’t seem to make sense. It began with Miriam driving a few miles from her house.

Miriam Rodriguez: “And I saw this huge amount of white pigeons, and I said, ‘God, if I could only have one at home.'”

Now the unexplainable.

Miriam Rodriguez: “Less than a week later, one showed up. Two days later, two were together.”

And now, seven years later…

Patrick Fraser: “How many pigeons do you think you have now?

Miriam Rodriguez: “About 70 or 80.”

Miriam loves the peaceful sounds the pigeons make as she feeds them.

The cooing distracts her from something she badly needs: money.

Miriam Rodriguez: “To pay bills, to get a new roof, which I need, big time.”

Miriam is retired and can’t work. Getting by on Social Security is nearly impossible for her.

And then she thought of something.

Miriam Rodriguez: “‘Wait a minute. I have all this amount of coins that maybe they’re worth some money.’ You can feel the weight on the coins itself.”

Silver dollars from the 1970s, $2 bills.

Miriam Rodriguez: “I want to know how real they are. I wanna know how much they’re worth.”

Miriam could go online and use an app to guess the value.

Patrick Fraser: “You don’t trust the app?”

Miriam Rodriguez: “No.”

There are people who will give you a price for the coins, but Miriam knows crooks are everywhere.

Patrick Fraser: “How do you know you’re not getting ripped off?”

Miriam Rodriguez: “That’s the reason why I called Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.”

Well, Howard, how can Miriam protect herself if she tries to sell her coins?

Howard Finkelstein: “There are no specific laws to protect consumers when they buy and sell traditional coins like nickels, dimes and dollars. That’s why you need to find someone who has a great reputation to get what your coins are worth.”

We went to see Pat Olive at the Gables Coin & Stamp Shop in Coral Gables.

Pat Olive: “Anytime you see copper, just go ahead and spend it. They’re just regular money.”

Olive has a reputation for being honest and the knowledge to help Miriam.

Pat Olive: “See where it says, ‘This note is legal tender.’ In 1928, it says this note is payable in gold.”

Unfortunately for Miriam, her two dollar bills are from 1934.

Pat Olive: “This one here, it’s just a regular $2 bill.”

But at least Miriam’s coins are authentic, not like these fake ones Pat showed us that someone tried to sell.

Pat Olive: “That’s why I say be careful what you buy online.”

Being in the coin shop was like being on an old movie set, as people brought in gold, silver and coins.

Pat Olive: “You never know what you’re gonna find. So, yeah, I enjoy it a lot.”

Sadly for Miriam, none of her coins were rare or valuable.

Miriam Rodriguez: “I’m excited because I learned something new: that I had no clue. Disappointed because it’s not worth anything.”

We left, leaving Miriam to find another way to pay her bills. Not what she had hoped for, but not a wasted day, either.

Miriam Rodriguez: “But it’s been interesting, very interesting.”

Sorry you didn’t have a valuable coin, Miriam. Now, to pay for a new roof, to pay her property taxes, Miriam is considering a reverse mortgage on her house. We’ll do what we can to help her with that.

Problems flocking to you? Feel like they’re for the birds? A penny for your thoughts, so we can coin a phrase to help you.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

This could be you. You get on the road, you’re careful, they’re not.

Gyna Hightower: “Someone hit me from behind. It caused me to hit an 18-wheeler which bounced me off of it. I hit the wall.”

Gyna was OK. Her car was not.

Gyna Hightower: “The bumper was destroyed all around. The car was destroyed.”

Gyna then got a break. A good Samaritan followed the hit-and-run driver.

Gyna Hightower: “And they reported it to the state troopers and they were able to catch her.”

That turned out to be important because Gyna only has personal injury protection, which doesn’t cover collision damage.

But the driver who hit her had collision insurance, so she filed a claim with that insurance company.

Gyna Hightower: “Allstate declared the car a total loss.”

Gyna said it was not a total loss, just body damage. So she paid a repair shop $4,500 and she was back on the road.

Gyna Hightower: “The car was in good shape. I love my car.”

She met with the insurance rep again. They offered her 5,000 dollars, but…

Gyna Hightower: “I would give them the title of the car, declare the car a total loss.”

Accepting that offer means Gyna would have give her car to the insurance company.

Gyna Hightower: “It is sad.”

Sad because if she took the $5,000 the insurance company is offering after she spent $4,500 to repair her car, she would be left with $500, no car, then have to buy another one.

Gyna Hightower: “Well, my car was paid for. I’m not trying to get into another car payment right now.”

Gyna’s Nissan lists anywhere from $5,800 through $9,900.

She said she is not giving her car to the insurance company to basically collect $500.

Gyna Hightower: “And it’s just not fair. I would just like to be reimbursed what I paid, which is $4,500, to get the car repaired.”

Might not be fair, but is it legal Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “Gyna is entitled to get the car repaired unless it costs more than 80% of what the car is worth. In this case, if its worth $7,000 and the repairs cost $4,500, it makes it less than 80%. So not only should the insurance company have to pay for the repairs, they have to pay for a rental car for Gyna as well.”

I contacted Allstate in April. After asking “Would you mind sharing your deadline?” They did not respond to a dozen emails and phone calls.

When I told them the story was going to air this week, they wrote: “We are working with the customer to resolve the claim.”

But Gyna said she has not heard from anyone at Allstate in months.

Gyna Hightower: “Sort of surprised, but not so surprised. They’ve been some tough people to deal with.”

Howard?

Gyna Hightower: “If they do not pay Gyna, the best option: Sue in small claims court. It’s inexpensive and you can do it yourself.”

Gyna hopes Allstate comes through and she doesn’t have to go to court to get reimbursed for repairing damage that was their customer’s fault.

Gyna Hightower: “The reason I’m bringing it to you guys is I hope I can retrieve what I’ve paid out, but if not, at least it gives exposure to the big business of business.”

It’s an unusual one since Gyna paid to repair the car and doesn’t want to give it to the insurance company.

That’s why if it’s not settled, it may take a judge to decide. We will follow along and let you know what happens.

Crashed into a problem? Want to insure you get help? Contact us! You will be in good hands cause we won’t hit-and-run. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

The email to us came from Victor Estefan — but it wasn’t from Victor Estefan.

Sujey Estefan: “We have it like that because we honor him every day.”

Victor Estefan — a Miami Police officer murdered by two men at a traffic stop in 1988.

Sujey Estefan: “I go to the cemetery, I go the mausoleum, I clean it, I talk to him.”

Sujey is his daughter-in-law, and when you hear “fallen but not forgotten,” they are not just words in the law enforcement community.

Sujey Estefan: “And I go to these memorials, and we have to share our stories. So he would always be remembered.”

It’s Sujey’s support of the police that got her so irritated with the texts she keeps getting.

Sujey Estefan: “You’re wondering, ‘Is this true? Is this false? What’s going on?'”

It seems everyone with an iPhone is getting hit with these texts.

Sujey Estefan: “‘You still have an outstanding traffic ticket.'”

They claim to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles or SunPass.

Person reading text: “‘You have an unpaid toll bill.'”

Person reading text: “‘If you do not complete payment, we will suspend your vehicle registration.'”

Person reading text: “‘You may be prosecuted.'”

Sujey wasn’t fooled.

Sujey Estefan: “I knew that it was a fake thing, saying that we had to pay tolls, and I’m like, ‘I don’t even drive through the toll.'”

The texts tell you to ‘Hit Y’ or go to the website they provide to pay your bill. Once you give them your credit card number, you are scammed.

Sujey Estefan: “Don’t try to click on it, because they’ll steal your information.”

You can spot the scammers’ texts because some are sent from area codes like +63 in the Philippines, +44 from the United Kingdom.

Look at this one: Msprvs1. Easy to see they’re not from Florida.

But many of us know people getting fooled.

Sujey Estefan: “And he’s like, ‘We have to pay the toll.’ I’m like, ‘What toll? We don’t go through the tolls, relax.'”

Sujey knows the hackers do it to make money. What she doesn’t know is who’s doing it.

Sujey Estefan: “Help Me Howard can do an investigation and find out who’s behind texting.”

Your turn, Howard.

Howard Finkelstein: “Because these crooks are so sophisticated, it’s almost impossible for law enforcement to track them down, and most of them bounce from server to server in different countries, so even if you tracked them down, you couldn’t arrest them or get any money back.”

We contacted the Florida Turnpike, which runs SunPass. A spokesperson said they’ve shut down 4,200 websites the scammers have created this year to lure in Floridians.

They have also put up billboards to warn people about the scam and even a message when you call SunPass.

Operator: “SunPass does not ask customers via text to make a payment or to take immediate action on their account.”

Apparently, the warnings from SunPass are working, because the scammers are shifting from claiming you have unpaid tolls with SunPass to unpaid tickets from the Department of Motor Vehicles. They are also now impersonating the Postal Service and sending out texts — like this one from Toronto to me — that says, “Are you free to have afternoon tea with me today?”

Sujey Estefan: “And he sacrificed his life being an officer.”

And Sujey, from a law enforcement family, wants it all to stop.

Sujey Estefan: “And that’s why we’re here to warn people that these text messages are false.”

And we cannot find a single person in Florida who has been arrested for these scams. The only way to stop them is to hit delete. With no money coming in, they’ll have to try something else, or consider getting a real job.

Problem taking a toll on you? Ready to shake up the scammers. Send it to us, ’cause our price is right. We don’t charge anything.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Kearra was hit with so many emotions in 2024. At the beginning of the year, her father suddenly died.

Kearra Holmes: “A lovable man. Honest, very honest.”

But by the end of the year, the sadness was replaced by celebration as her boyfriend asked her to marry him.

Kearra Holmes: “That’s every girl’s dream to be like a princess, have a whole day all about you.”

The planning began as the couple found a site for the special day.

Kearra Holmes: “We got the venue for the wedding. It’s an indoor-outdoor for 130 guests.”

Kearra and her mother would pay for the wedding from money her father left them.

Kearra Holmes: “His insurance policy.”

Patrick: “So in reality, your dad’s paying for your wedding.”

Kearra Holmes: “Yes.”

The wedding was scheduled for May of 2026. Kearra could make monthly payments but decided to put down $11,700. And then she and her fiancé broke up.

Kearra Holmes: “We kept arguing about the same situation, and it’s just like, ‘OK, let’s just, be friends about it.'”

The wedding was cancelled. Kearra called the venue to get her $11,700 back.

Kearra Holmes: “And he’s like, ‘We don’t do that.’ ‘But the wedding’s canceled,’ and he’s like, ‘No refunds.'”

The venue did offer to host a family party that day or another event on a different day. Kearra said no.

Kearra Holmes: “We just want to cancel. He said, ‘The contract says no refund.'”

Patrick: “When was the wedding scheduled for?”

Kearra Holmes: “Next year, May 9.”

Patrick: “So it’s a full year.”

Kearra Holmes: “Yes.”

Patrick: “Do you think that they could find another event for that day?”

Kearra Holmes: “Yes.”

Eleven-thousand-seven-hundred dollars of her late father’s money for her wedding down the drain.

Patrick: “Which is worse: losing the wedding or losing the money?”

Kearra Holmes: “Losing the money. The wedding can come another day, but $11,000, that’s my whole car right there. I could just pay off my car.”

That’s funny. Losing $11,700 is not. But is the money gone, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “The contract is valid and, if Kearra paid according to the payment schedule, she doesn’t get the $11,700 back. But, and it’s a big but, she paid nearly $5,800 earlier than she was required to, so legally, she is entitled to get that money back.”

I spoke to the owner of the wedding venue. He could not have been nicer, explaining he had to institute the no refund policy because of cancellations days before an event. I pointed out that technically Kearra had paid more than she had to in advance and was owed at least $5,846 of the $11,700. He said, ‘Tell Kearra to call me.’

Kearra Holmes: “I spoke to the owner and he agreed to give me the money back.”

Not just a portion. The entire $11,700. Kearra said “Wait a minute.”

Kearra Holmes: “I felt like it was fair to give him a cancelation fee, so I said I’ll give you a thousand dollars for a cancelation fee.”

Kearra got $10,700 back, way more than she expected when she called Help Me Howard.

Kearra Holmes: “Now, it goes back into my account where my dad left it, and I’m hoping for the next time. Thank you for your help.”

You are welcome, Kearra. To avoid a headache when you book any party, read the contract carefully to know what to expect and don’t make the payments until you are required to do it. Kearra got lucky getting her money back, but you might not be so lucky.

Married to a problem you want to break up with? It’s no party solving it, so here is a proposal. Contact us. Hopefully, we can make you feel like you’re on a honeymoon.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Very few things are better than a wonderful family.

Priscilla Huntley: “And I do appreciate her, because she’s good to me. She’s very good to me.”

Priscilla adores her granddaughter, and Kristie loves her grandmother.

Kristie Mion: “She’s helped me so many times throughout my life, and I want to do whatever I can to help her out of this mess.”

And it is a very complicated, painful mess.

Priscilla Huntley: “It’s very uncomfortable, because I can’t eat anything. Everything I eat has got to be very soft food.”

Priscilla had gone to a Pembroke Pines dental office to get posts installed and new dentures. They got half right.

Priscilla Huntley: “And the tops fit, the bottoms didn’t fit from the very, very beginning.”

Priscilla had paid $3,500 to replace these faulty bottom dentures. The dentist’s office opened a credit card in Priscilla’s name.

Priscilla Huntley: “They just kept trying to make them over and over again, and I’ve been doing this for over a year now.”

The bill for the work kept increasing. The credit card charges now total $8,119.

Priscilla Huntley: “They never give me an itemized bill. They just kept charging my credit card every time I’d go in.”

Then the office called to tell her the new bottom dentures were ready. Priscilla went there.

Priscilla Huntley: “And they were closed down already, ao I never got to see them anymore.”

Closed and the doors locked, because the owners were arrested and charged with insurance fraud for allegedly racking up fees for work not performed, leaving Priscilla without her new bottom dentures and a big credit card bill.

Kristie Mion: “The credit card company is saying that she needs to start making payments this month.”

Priscilla Huntley: “I don’t think it’s a fair price. I think they overcharged me, first off.”

Without her new dentures, Priscilla sometimes uses the old faulty dentures that she had to pay the dentist’s office for.

Priscilla Huntley: “And they rub, and they hurt like crazy, so they don’t fit me right.”

Howard, we said it was a mess. So, legally, how can Priscilla get her bottom dentures and her medical records?

Howard Finkelstein: “Clearly Priscilla is entitled to her dentures and records. But complicating this: the arrests of the owners of the dental office, making it a criminal investigation. The prosecutor may be able to give Priscilla what she wants immediately, but legally can refuse until the investigation is over, which could be a year or two. It’s really terrible for Priscilla and others.”

I contacted the state agency that oversees dentists. They didn’t help at all. I emailed the prosecutor’s office and got nowhere.

The property manager of the locked dentist’s office told me “they could not unlock the door” for Priscilla because the “tenant was still paying rent,” but a new dentist was hoping to take over, and that “might give Priscilla access to her records and dentures.”

Then we got a nice break. I contacted the attorneys for Evelyn Cruz, who’s charged in the case.

Jason Weiss wrote: “Ms. Cruz will be able to provide Ms. Huntley with her dentures. If you can get me the name and address of the new provider, I will make sure that it is shipped.”

Good news for Priscilla.

Priscilla Huntley: “I am going to be so happy if I can get my dentures back.”

It took a few weeks, but Priscilla’s call to Help Me Howard is paying off.

Priscilla Huntley: “And I want to thank Patrick Fraser for doing all he has done to help me get my dentures back from the dentist’s office that closed down.”

And we’ll be so happy for you when you get those dentures, Priscilla. Now, does Priscilla have to pay that large credit card bill? If the bill is legit, yes, but maybe not, because the dentist’s office was accused of operating illegally.

I contacted the credit card company’s representatives, and they said they are going to look into it for Priscilla.

Got a problem you want us to sink our teeth into? Let us brush on the law, and then we’ll fight tooth and nail for you.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Travis can joke and keep a straight face. Wanna see? Ask him what it’s like to be a father.

Travis Frost: “Horrible. Exhausting. Expensive.”

Elizabeth tries not to laugh cause she knows how he cares about her.

Travis Frost: “Yeah, it’s a constant worry. It is a constant concern of her safety, I think it’s any parent.”

To make the family more comfortable, the Frosts rely on cell phones to keep track of each other.

Travis Frost: “Everybody in our house has a phone and that’s how we communicate. I think for most parents, being able to have that quick response, if there is a concern, you can text or call.”

And Elizabeth’s phone created a problem after a teacher confiscated it when the 11-year-old and a friend took pictures of each other in class.

Elizabeth Frost: “Um, it was my fault for taking out my phone.”

School district policy says the parent is to be notified if a phone is seized. They did call Elizabeth’s mother who was in Washington D.C. in a class and couldn’t notify Travis in time. And Elizabeth couldn’t call after school to let her father know why he couldn’t get in touch with her.

Travis Frost: “Not just going home without it, but she would be at home without it.”

Elizabeth walked home. Six-tenths of a mile.

Travis Frost: “Many things that could potentially go wrong in six-tenths of a mile for an 11-year-old.”

Elizabeth Frost: “When I have my phone, I’m like OK, but not having my phone anything can go wrong.”

When Travis got home from work, Elizabeth told him what happened. At 4 o’clock, he went to the school to get the phone and could not.

Travis Frost: “Nobody was able to access the safe that was at school.”

It’s 2025. Every parent worries about their children. That day, if someone tried to grab Elizabeth on the way home, she wouldn’t have been able to dial 911 or her father.

Travis Frost: “If something had happened, in an instance like this, we’re going to have this phone locked in a safe that nobody can access…”

Travis is fine with confiscating a student’s phone, but not happy the school wouldn’t return it to his daughter after school was over.

Travis Frost: “It’s very frustrating.”

Howard, your turn.

Howard Finkelstein: “Legally, you can seize the phone and the district rules says you have to notify a parent, which they did. But here is the problem. If a parent cannot be there to pickup the child, you need to give the phone to the student because sending an 11-year-old on a long walk home without a phone is dangerous and legally, the district could be held responsible if something bad happened to the child.”

We contacted the Broward school district. A spokesperson said the “school followed the district policy” on that day. That when they “notified the mother,” she told them she “would contact Travis.”

Travis said she couldn’t get in touch with him until after Elizabeth got home.

The district spokesperson added, “Their policy only allows them to return the phone to the parent, but they compromised and gave it to Elizabeth the next day because of the parent’s concerns for her safety while walking home.”

Travis Frost: “I emailed the rep for our school board but nobody ever responded.”

Clearly, Travis is frustrated but hopes the school board changes their policy before a child is hurt.”

Travis Frost: “And I want to ensure that it’s not Broward County school district’s view that they can take the phone and hold on to it as they see fit, because I don’t think they should be able to.”

The school year is about to end and the school board has a couple of months to make changes, if they want to. Now, there are school districts in Florida that return the phone to the student at the end of the day, cause as everyone can agree, your child’s safety is the most important thing.

Getting schooled by someone? Don’t give up and phone it in. Let us seize the problem and return it to you solved. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

When Anthony reached out to us, he was getting ready to graduate from Florida State University.

Anthony Rodriguez: “I was up in Tallahassee for grad school. I did my master’s in sports management up there.”

But the Tallahassee resident is a South Florida boy.

Anthony Rodriguez: “Yes, I did grow up in Miami, born and raised.”

From Miami, in Tallahassee, with a Texas problem.

Anthony Rodriguez: “It’s showing on my record that I was involved in a car accident that wasn’t mine.”

The information about the crash on Anthony’s record came from LexisNexis, where insurance companies can get information about customers.

Anthony Rodriguez: “They confused me with someone else. Another Anthony Rodriguez, who’s from El Paso, Texas.”

The Texas Anthony was in a car crash where he was found at fault and got one, two, three speeding tickets. But it was all put on the Florida Anthony’s LexisNexis record.

Anthony Rodriguez: “We both live in different states, we have different driver’s license numbers, we have different dates of birth. I mean, it’s ridiculous.”

Anthony found out about the mistake in February when his family’s car insurance rates went up.

Anthony Rodriguez: “I had complete coverage before, so we couldn’t afford that, and I had to downgrade to [personal injury protection] coverage. That was the only way to do it.”

Anthony checked his Florida driving record and saw he had four points for the other fellow’s accident.

He contacted his insurance company. They said LexisNexis had to clear it up. He contacted them. They sent him his records, but didn’t remove the crash from his report.

Anthony Rodriguez: “They just had to look at the record, which they provided me with, and they can clearly see that there was a mix-up.”

And so, even though he had gone away to college, he thought back to his childhood watching Help Me Howard.

Anthony Rodriguez: “We still watch it till this day, and my mom, she was the one who said, ‘Listen, Anthony, why don’t you reach out to Help Me Howard and Patrick Fraser, maybe they can help you out.'”

Allr ight, Anthony, we’ll try. So, legally, Howard, what can you do with a mess like this?

Howard Finkelstein: “We all make mistakes, but once you’ve been told your information is wrong, legally you have an obligation to correct the error. If you do not, you could be responsible for any monetary damages your mistake causes.”

I contacted LexisNexis. They responded within minutes and told me they would talk to Anthony.

Two days later, he got an email saying, “The auto claim and the moving violations have been removed from your LexisNexis data.”

Anthony Rodriguez: “They finally agreed to clear my record.”

With his graduation behind him, Anthony is now looking for a job, and he can do it with a clean driving record, after that email from Tallahassee to his hometown.

Anthony Rodriguez: “I’m glad, man! You guys are heroes. I appreciate what you guys have done for me.”

Glad we could help you, Anthony. And give LexisNexis credit for moving quickly after I contacted them.

Now, Howard mentioned that if they hadn’t, they would have been responsible for any damages they caused Anthony.

That law also applies to credit bureaus and agencies that keep information about your rental or medical history. If they won’t fix a mistake, file a complaint with the state or the feds. The links are under this Help Me Howard story.

Something graduated from a pain to a problem? Driven to find a solution? Make no mistake, we can identify the right solution, ’cause we’ve mastered working hard for you … or so we tell ourselves. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

FOR MORE INFO:
Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
State of Florida

Twenty-two years ago, Lillian walked onto the property, strolled into a condo and was sold.

Lillian Ferraro: “Everybody would love to buy a place with the beautiful view of a pool.”

When Lillian looked out her kitchen window, she saw the property and the pool, and she is in the kitchen a lot.

Lillian Ferraro: “I love to cook.”

Then in 2019, the association decided to plant three palm trees below her 4th-floor condo.

Lillian Ferraro: “It’s right in front of my kitchen window. It’s going to grow. So he said, ‘No, it’s not. Don’t worry about it. It’ll take 20 years.'”

Mother Nature said, “You wanna bet?”

Lillian Ferraro: “I can even pull it, as you can see.”

It took the palms just six years to grow even with her kitchen window.

Lillian Ferraro: “You can’t even see out your window. You can’t even see the view.”

For a while, Lillian said the board would allow the landscapers to trim the palm fronds to give her a partial view.

Then they got a new board, and Lillian had the same request.

Lillian Ferraro: “Would they help me cut a few fronds from the palm tree? And the answer was no, again.”

When Lillian saw the landscapers on the property, she asked them to cut some palm fronds.

Lillian Ferraro: “So he said, ‘No problem. You know, I’ll come over sometime today.'”

But they didn’t cut any fronds, and instead, Lillian got a warning letter from the condo board saying, “No resident or member may contact a vendor directly to request services.”

So Lillian said she contacted the board president.

Lillian Ferraro: “He was like, ‘Listen, if it’s about the tree, I don’t want to hear it. It’s closed case.’ ‘I just have a question.’ ‘No questions.'”

But Lillian wanted answers and said she contacted the manager’s office.

Lillian Ferraro: “I went there three times. I couldn’t get a hold of our manager.”

A few days later, the board got in touch with her, though, fining her “$100 for harassing not just one, but two board members.”

Lillian Ferraro: “And I never harassed anybody, believe me. That is not harassment, just to inquire.”

Even more aggravating to Lillian, the latest letter said, if she brings up the palm frond issue again, she will be hit with another violation and a fine of $100 per day per occurrence.

Lillian Ferraro: “And I feel I need that $100 to buy food. So, it just seems like they’re trying to push me out of here.”

We always tell people to be the squeaky wheel. So, Howard, can a condo resident be fined for being that squeaky wheel?

Howard Finkelstein: “It’s legal to be a squeaky wheel, and it can be a violation of the rules to harass a board member. If they feel it’s harassment, they can fine you. So what is the line separating a squeaky wheel from harrassment? The people on either side can’t determine that, so it would take a judge to decide.”

I contacted the property manager at Deer Creek Condominium. She said it costs $12,000 to trim all the palms on the property, and because of that, they can only do it once a year.

She said they believe nothing short of cutting the trees down will make Lillian happy, that the trees are trimmed to code, that Lillian badgers them about trimming and “we have told her in a kind but firm way to stop it.” The property manager then said the board was going to waive the $100 fine, so Lillian doesn’t have to pay anything.

Lillian Ferraro: “And you all have helped me tremendously.”

The board waived the fine goodbye, but I am not sure they can wave goodbye to Lillian’s efforts to get some palm fronds removed.

Lillian Ferraro: “I’m not going to stop, and I can ask questions as long as I want.”

All right, Lillian. So, to avoid the board considering it harassment, put your questions or requests about the palms in writing: an email or a letter. That way, it’s clear what was said, and it avoids the face-to-face confrontation that might bother a board member or property manager.

A problem uprooting your life? Questioning what you should do? Don’t put your palms up and give up. Let’s see if we can find a solution that’ll grow on you. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

South Florida is a beautiful place to live, but it can also be frustrating with many hurdles to overcome, like enormous special assessments for condo owners.

Jeanette Delegram: “And so I’m back working again in order to pay all this. They don’t care.”

Crooked used car dealers—

Voicemail: “Your engine is burning oil.”

And not to be left out: crooked contractors.

Kevin Chin: “It’s been four months and he still hasn’t finished the job.”

A lot of problems. So let’s bring in the man with a lot of answers: Howard Finkelstein.

Howard, let’s start with people getting ripped off by contractors.

Howard Finkelstein: “Make sure the license is in the contractor’s name and to protect yourself, pay as you go. That way you have money left over if they walk away.”

Something that has exploded over the past few months are condo owners that cannot afford the special assessments boards have to impose to pass certification. What if you can’t afford it, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “You can lose your condo, so either get time to pay it, get a home equity line or get a reverse mortgage to stay in your home.”

Something less complicated. A woman asked who is responsible for the damage to her car after a neighbor’s tree fell on it?

Howard Finkelstein: “If the tree is healthy, your neighbor is not responsible and remember you can trim any branches on your side of the property.”

Speaking of cars, these bad, unreputable used car dealers sell older cars and they quickly break down. Howard, what can you do to protect yourself?

Howard Finkelstein: “Never buy a used car without your mechanic inspecting it and don’t buy as is. Make sure it has a warranty.”

Here is an unusual one. People dump trash in an alley behind a woman’s house and the city says she has to pay to clean it up. Why?

Howard Finkelstein: “An alley is like a swale. It’s considered your responsibility and you have to pay to clean it up. Even if they dump the trash in your front yard.”

We began with condo owners. Let’s end with renters.

One guy was told he can’t park his pick up truck in his space because the property doesn’t allow it. Legal or illegal, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “Legal if the association has written rules prohibiting trucks. You can park the pickup if they do not have written rules.”

One family couldn’t get the landlord to fix a leaky roof. The ceiling collapsed on their child.

Natalia couldn’t get her air conditioning fixed. So what can renters do about unbearable problems, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “It’s the seven-day letter. Give it to your landlord. If they don’t fix a major problem, you can move out after seven days and they have to return your security deposit plus any rent money they owe you.”

Fortunately, Natalia got lucky after she called Help Me Howard. We contacted a wonderful couple who let them use their Airbnb while her landlord got the A/C working at her apartment

Natalia Wulfan: “Oh, my God, you guys were like God’s angels, like sent from heaven. I can’t even express enough how amazing it is to have you guys help.”

When Howard and I started 26 years ago, we thought ‘Solve some problems and we won’t be needed much anymore.’ But the problems keep pouring in, so if you need our help, let us know.

With Mr. Finkelstein, I am Patrick Fraser 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Get away. In a car. On a plane. Go away and enjoy yourself.

Joanne Chalom: “Yes, we travel a lot. We like going places, new adventures.”

Joanne and her husband have seen the states and the world.

Joanne Chalom: “We have been to Spain, Portugal, we recently went to Mexico. It was a great experience, except for the last day.”

Notice that pause from Joanne — because of a stop at a souvenir shop in Mexico.

Joanne Chalom: “We picked up this decorative plate. You can see it goes really nicely with the ones we picked up from Portugal and Spain.”

She charged the $41 for the plate on her credit card. A couple of days later, when Joanne got back to South Florida, she checked her statement.

Joanne Chalom: “I got a big surprise when I got home. There was an additional charge: $1,400 for a jewelry store.”

The problem? Joanne had not purchased anything from a jewelry store, so she moved quickly.

Joanne Chalom: “OK, I’ll just call my credit card company and report the fraud, and it’ll be taken care of.”

When Joanne disputed it, the $1,440.79 charge disappeared while the credit card company investigated.

Two months later, they wrote to Joanne that the charge was “valid,” because the card was “in your possession” and “chip card technology cannot be counterfeited.”

Joanne Chalom: “Because I have the physical card, it had to be my responsibility.”

Meaning the $1,440, plus interest, was back on her statement.

Joanne Chalom: “So I’m stuck paying $1,400 for something I never purchased.”

Joanne kept fighting and asked the credit card company for a receipt to show where the jewelry charge was made. They didn’t supply it, but in turn asked her for a receipt.

Joanne Chalom: “They want me to prove the impossible. How am I supposed to present to them a receipt for a product I never purchased?”

Joanne went online to try to find the store where the charge was made. As far as she could tell, it doesn’t exist.

Joanne Chalom: “And this has been going on for months. It’s frustrating. Can you help me, Patrick? Can you help me, Howard?”

We will try, Joanne.

And after a little digging, we think we know what might have happened. Wanna explain it, Howard?

Howard Finkelstein: “I would bet there was a second machine under the counter registered to a different business, and the clerk swiped the card on that machine, creating the $1,440 charge. More importantly, Joanne does not have to pay, because federal law limits her liability to $50 for any unauthorized use, which this clearly was.”

I contacted Joanne’s credit card company, Barclays. They were great. They told me they would look into it.

A few days later, I got an email that began: “The investigation is complete. It’s a positive outcome.”

We will let Joanne pick it up from there.

Joanne Chalom: “Finally, will permanently remove the unauthorized charge and the interest for the charge.”

Joanne then asked Barclays to waive the $99 fee for her credit card for the next year.

Joanne Chalom: “As a kind of thank you for the frustration that they caused.”

Patrick Fraser: “And they said?”

Joanne Chalom: “They said, ‘Sure!'”

Her credit card headache is gone. Joanne is happy, after her call to Help Me Howard.

Joanne Chalom: “You managed to make more headway in two days than I could in five months. So, thank you.”

You are welcome, Joanne, and glad we could help you.

Now, if you get a false charge or don’t get something you paid for with a credit card, be sure to dispute it, but to avoid phony charges, never let the card out of your sight in places like a store or a restaurant.

Need some tips on how to handle credit card disputes? The links are under this Help Me Howard story.

Your travels caused troubles? Feel like taking flight to avoid them? Let us take charge, and you don’t even have to give us credit for helping.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News

FOR MORE INFO:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Tips
Federal Trade Commission Tips

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN

Cookie is a remarkable woman.

Cookie Linda: “I have lost three children out of five, and people say, ‘how do you go on?’ I have a relationship with God. And I believe that God puts everybody on this earth and they have a job to do.”

Cookie doesn’t just talk about her faith, she follows it.

Cookie Linda: “And that’s me at the bottom.”

When her daughter died, she started searching for someone who needed her wheelchair ramp.

Cookie Linda: “Solid steel, professional.”

Cookie heard about a woman named Marie, who lived a few blocks away. She went to meet her.

Marie Griffin: “I need that ramp real bad.”

Marie had to crawl down her steps to get outside but she can’t crawl back up the stairs.

Marie Griffin: “I’m a straight-out prisoner. I have to call the ambulance or even the fire department in order to put me back in the house.”

A prisoner that Cookie thought her ramp would set free. They searched. People wanted thousands to install it. Neither woman had the money.

Cookie Linda: “I said ‘No, you don’t pay nobody anything.’ You know, I’ve got the tenacity of a bulldog, we are gonna find help here.”

But as time passed with no help, Marie was giving up hope.

Cookie Linda: “I said ‘Marie, don’t worry about it. I’m calling Help Me Howard.'”

As I met with Cookie and Marie, my first thought was the Center for Independent Living. I contacted them.

Brian Johnson: “We’re a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities become more independent and self-sufficient.”

Brian contacted Next Day Access and the mother-son owners went to see Marie. They determined Cookie’s ramp wouldn’t fit at Marie’s home, but after the Center for Independent Living agreed to pay for a new ramp, Next Day Access offered to supply it at an enormous discount.

Geri Castaldo: “If there’s a way that we can help, make a little less profit for a good cause, then we’re all about that.”

At 10 a.m., the ramp installation began. Marie couldn’t get up to see but she could hear it.

Marie Griffin: “Isn’t it beautiful, I tell you? Oh my god, I’m just so happy. I am so, so, so happy.”

As the work progressed, the two women brought together by a ramp celebrated.

Marie Griffin: “I thank God for her because if it wasn’t for her and my lord and savior, I tell you, I don’t know what I would have did.”

Three hours later, the wheelchair ramp was ready. Brian tested it out. Jesse brought up Marie’s scooter. It took Marie a while to get up. She said she didn’t want any help for this first trip. Instead of crawling down stairs or calling firefighters to carry her, Marie was in charge. Truly independent again.

Marie Griffin: “I’ve not had any sun for two months.”

Hadn’t been outside for two months. It all happened because Cookie called us.

Cookie Linda: “God used me to help her and that makes me happy.”

We called the Center for Independent Living. They hired Next Day Access.

Geri Castaldo: “Very rewarding.”

Together, everyone changed a woman’s life in a wonderful way.

Marie Griffin: “Thank you, everybody, so much. Thank you so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

That was nice to be a part of.

If you would like to get help from the Center for Independent Living or donate to help them help others, their contact info is under this story.

A problem left you feeling imprisoned? Don’t say that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Let us scoot in and ramp up a solution for you. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.

FOR MORE INFO:
Center for Independant Living in Broward
https://www.cilbroward.org/
954-722-6400

Next Day Access
https://www.nextdayaccess.com/boca-raton-fl/
561-546 3396

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmehoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN