Stephanie Zimmermann
Consumer investigations reporter
Stephanie Zimmermann is an award-winning investigative reporter who focuses on consumer issues, defined broadly to include credit and debt, insurance, food, housing, health, transportation, technology, unsafe products, scams/frauds and other issues that affect everyday people.
Application fees. Credit check fees. Move-in fees. Move-out fees. Such fees are pushing the true cost of renting an apartment in Chicago far above the listed price for rent.
People say they were taken for a ride by alternative energy suppliers. How you can protect yourself.
Despite new consumer protections, people are still complaining about higher bills and questionable business tactics. Sticking with your gas or electricity utility is usually a better deal, experts say.
Got a consumer problem? Help is out there. Keep this list for the next time you have an intractable issue with a retailer or service provider.
Amir Yass was told an international calling plan was added to his cellphone before his trip to Iraq, but something went horribly wrong.
After hearing thieves in action, Sun-Times consumer Watchdogs reporter Stephanie Zimmermann wondered why so many of the devices are being taken and where the parts end up.
There’s no federal law to keep them from selling used vehicles with open, unaddressed recalls for defects that could kill you. What we found available might surprise you.
A jury in California convicted two executives from Gree USA Inc. for not telling the government what it knew about the defects. The appliances were widely sold under well-known brand names.
Several justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts, seemed sympathetic toward James Rudisill, who says the VA thwarted his dream of attending Yale’s divinity school.
Bernice Heiderman, a University of Illinois Chicago grad, died after contracting malaria while serving in East Africa. A Peace Corps doctor never tested her for the treatable illness.