Articles

Includes a list of contacts and practical steps to help you get your finances back on track after a weather emergency.

When it comes to preparing for weather emergencies or other disasters, financial readiness is as important as a flashlight with fully charged batteries. Leaving your home can be stressful, but knowing that your personal and financial documents are up to date, in one place, and easy to find can make a big difference. Here’s how to organize important papers before a disaster strikes.

Do you think an abusive partner or ex is monitoring you through your phone? They might be using stalkerware to secretly track your device activity. Learn more about stalkerware, how to tell if it’s on your device, and what to do if it is.

Here’s what to know about how to dispute errors on your credit report and avoid credit repair scams.

Scammers pretend to be from government agencies like the FTC, Social Security Administration, and  IRS — or say they're calling about your Medicare benefits. Learn the signs and avoid the scam.

Did you apply for credit and get turned down? Or did a lender offer you less favorable terms for credit? If so, they have to give you a notice with certain information. Improving your credit may take some time, but taking some steps will help you do it. 

Learn where to go for legitimate immigration help and avoid dealing with a scammer.

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.

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.

Someone calls or contacts you saying they’re a family member or close friend. They say they need money to get out of trouble. Not so fast. Is there really an emergency? Is that really your family or friend calling? It could be a scammer.

If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it's a robocall. Robocalls trying to sell you something are almost always illegal. Many are also probably scams. Here’s what to know about robocalls and what to do about them.

When you cosign a loan for a friend or family member, you put your finances and creditworthiness on the line. Here’s what you need to know before you cosign a loan.

If you don’t make your loan payments, you might owe extra fees, damage your credit score, and lose your home. Find out how to get legitimate help.

Dishonest advisers try to get veterans to transfer their assets so they appear to qualify for Aid & Attendance benefits but don’t inform them of the negative implications.