Articles

Your tenant background check report can affect whether you get rental housing, the terms of your lease, and how much you pay for rent or a security deposit.

If you’re thinking about buying a timeshare or joining a vacation club, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into.

If you’ve been scammed, someone might promise to help you get your money back –– if you pay in advance. That’s another scam.

Offers ways to spot and avoid scams when shopping for a home security system.

Scammers pressure you to wire money to them because it’s easy to take your money and disappear. Wiring money with services like MoneyGram, Ria, and Western Union is like sending cash — once you send it, you usually can’t get it back. Never wire money to anyone you haven’t met in person — no matter the reason they give.

When you decide to support a cause you care about, you want your donation to count. Here are tips to help you plan your donation – and avoid scams.

Here's a sample to help you write a complaint letter about a product or service.

Generic drugs work just as well as brand-name drugs, and they can save you money.

Take time to find a lawyer with relevant experience in the legal area you need. Find out about experience, fees, and possible outcomes. Get agreements in writing.

Comparing prices online can save you a bundle when you rent a car. Learn how to compare the total cost — not just the advertised price. Fees and options can increase the base price dramatically.

If you don’t make your car payments on time, your lender might have the right to take your car without going to court or telling you first. Here’s what to do if you can’t make car payments or if your car is repossessed.

Some car dealers advertise that, when you trade in your car to buy another one, they’ll pay off the balance of your loan. No matter how much you owe. But what if you owe more than the car is worth? That’s called “negative equity,” and the dealer’s promises to pay off your loan may be misleading. Learn how negative equity works and how to deal with it.

Need to replace a light bulb? People used to shop for light bulbs by the watt, but wattage only tells you how much energy a bulb uses — not how bright it is. That takes lumens. Here’s what to know as you shop around for a new light bulb.

Only scammers will tell you to buy a gift card, like a Google Play or Apple Card, and give them the numbers off the back of the card. No matter what they say, that’s a scam. No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Always keep a copy of your gift card and store receipt. Use them to report gift card scams to the gift card company and ask for your money back.

Heating and cooling your home can take a lot of energy. But there are things you can do to make your home more energy efficient, which might even lower your heating and cooling bills. Here’s what to know.

A warranty is a manufacturer's promise to stand behind its product. Read the warranty to see what is and isn’t covered, and what to do in case of problems

Before you buy an extended warranty or service contract, compare it to the warranty that came with the product. Will buying the coverage add extra benefits?