Extortion e-mails are increasing

While most of these brainless scams are so obvious that they are mildly amusing, there are other vicious and terrorizing scams that use extortion tactics. (”My week of e-mail scams,” May 11.)

I turned my threatening letter – “You have an enemy that wants you dead, and I have been hired to kill you unless you send money now” – over to the local police, who calmly informed us that these are becoming more frequent.

Daniel Koral

Beverly Hills

Trust doctors over drug ads

I agree completely with the doctors’ side in the argument over direct-to-consumer drug ads. (”Drug ads a test of doctors’ patience,” Consumer Confidential, May 14.)

If I trust my doctor and am open with him about any symptoms or complaints, he should know what medicines, if any, I should be taking, based on my information and his examination.

The idea that I know, based on some TV ad, about some new condition that I didn’t know before that I had, and can inform the doctor what to do about it, assumes that the ad is a more useful or reliable source of information than the doctor.

Jim Mentzer

Los Angeles

A word on fiscal responsibility

In regard to Personal Finance (”Take an interest in the fine print”) and Money Makeover (”Trying to survive a sub-prime squeeze”) on May 11:

In the first, a gentleman whines about not fully understanding his “zero interest” purchase. Does he believe all businesses will offer anyone 12 months of free money? Was he not curious enough to ask or take the time to look at the fine print? Sorry, no pity here.

The second is one I have empathy for: a single mother struggling with a refi. However, it is diminished by her fiscal irresponsibility, despite earning a solid middle-class income.

A divorce is painful, but with her lack of spending constraint coupled with a declining market, perhaps she should not be an owner now.

Russell Eagan

Valencia

Megabus keeps itself well hidden

The Megabus in Los Angeles is impossible to locate, and very few employees at Union Station have ever heard about it. (”Megabus may pull out of L.A.,” May 13.)

There is no advertising or signs at the terminal, and there is almost no parking.

I thoroughly enjoyed my Megabus trip to Las Vegas, despite the parking and lack-of-direction problems.

With some good public relations and a true desire to serve, this could have been a great alternative to driving.

Zena Ginsberg

West Hollywood

Rush-hour answer to gas problem

The story on gas mileage missed a low-cost solution.(”Breaking the car habit,” May 9.)

Ban big trucks from freeways during morning and evening rush hours. Huge trucks clog freeways at those times.

Of course, the truckers may not like it, but they may find the freeways moving better during off hours.

Larry Greiner

Palos Verdes

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