Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.

How do you get on a car rental company’s Do Not Rent list? And can it really keep your money if you make a nonrefundable reservation?

I’m on a car rental company’s Do Not Rent list — now they’re keeping my money, too!

May 1, 2024April 1, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

How do you get on a car rental company’s Do Not Rent list? And can it really keep your money if you make a nonrefundable reservation?

Lisamarie Monaco never expected anyone to offer her a vacation do-over. She was staying at a resort hotel in Fort Lauderdale, and things were not going as planned.

When travel goes bad, can you get a vacation do-over?

January 19, 2024March 30, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Lisamarie Monaco never expected anyone to offer her a vacation do-over. She was staying at a resort hotel in Fort Lauderdale, and things were not going as planned.

Daniel Onn books a business class ticket on Amtrak. Then the rail carrier removes the business class car. Does it owe him anything?

Does Amtrak owe me anything for a forced downgrade?

January 19, 2024March 29, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Daniel Onn books a business class ticket on Amtrak. Then the rail carrier removes the business class car. Does it owe him anything?

When Maura Ruzhnikov sends money to a stranger by mistake on Zelle, she tries to undo the transaction. That's easier said than done. Will she ever get her money back?

I sent a stranger money through Zelle by mistake. How do I undo it?

January 19, 2024March 28, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

When Maura Ruzhnikov sends money to a stranger by mistake on Zelle, she tries to undo the transaction. That’s easier said than done. Will she ever get her money back?

Midway through her VRBO rental, a neighbor reveals a shocking secret about the host to Anne Penner. Will she still pay?

My VRBO vacation rental host is accused of arson and murder. Do I still have to pay?

January 19, 2024March 26, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

More than halfway through her stay in a Vrbo vacation rental in Mount Holly, N.C., a neighbor told Anne Penner a shocking secret about her host: He was about to go on trial for arson and murder.

It happened to Jason Loomis on a flight from Los Angeles to Boston. A passenger sitting in the row ahead of him became visibly upset and started shouting.

Sitting next to an unruly airline passenger? Here’s what to do

December 25, 2024March 23, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

It happened to Jason Loomis on a flight from Los Angeles to Boston. A passenger sitting in the row ahead of him became visibly upset and started shouting.

Quest Diagnostics charged Ro Dobkin an extra $353 for services. Can she get it back or is it lost forever?

Overcharged by Quest Diagnostics — can she get her $353 back?

January 19, 2024March 22, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Quest Diagnostics charged Ro Dobkin an extra $353 for services. Can she get it back or is it lost forever?

It's been four months since Brigitte Yvon bought her garage shelving along with installation from Home Depot. But no one has installed it yet. Can she get a refund?

Home Depot can’t install my garage shelving. Can I get a refund?

January 19, 2024March 20, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

It’s been four months since Brigitte Yvon bought her garage shelving along with installation from Home Depot. But no one has installed it yet. Can she get a refund?

Julie Duteau noticed something strange on her last two phone bills: a surprise $10 fee for a "modem lease." Problem is, she already owns her modem.

This surprise fee made her phone bill skyrocket

January 19, 2024March 18, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Julie Duteau noticed something strange on her last two phone bills: a surprise $10 fee for a “modem lease.” Find out how to avoid unwanted surcharges like this on your bill.

The start of the summer travel season is only a few weeks away, but people in the know have already identified the most pressing problem: dangerously cramped airline seats.

Airline passengers brace for the big summer squeeze

January 19, 2024March 16, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

The start of the summer travel season is only a few weeks away, but people in the know have already identified the most pressing problem: dangerously cramped airline seats.