Articles

Do you owe back taxes and don’t know how you’re going to pay them? Tax relief companies say they can lower or get rid of your tax debts and stop back-tax collection. They say they’ll apply for IRS hardship programs on your behalf for an upfront fee. But in many cases, they leave you even further in debt. Your best bet is to try to work out a payment plan with the IRS for federal taxes or your state comptroller if you owe state taxes. 

Scammers advertise jobs the same way honest employers do — online (in ads, on job sites, and social media), in newspapers, and sometimes on TV and radio. They promise you a job, but what they want is your money and your personal information. Here are some examples of jobs scams and advice on how to avoid them.

Using a biologic medication and concerned about cost? You may want to talk with your doctor about switching to a biosimilar. Like generic drugs, biosimilars may save you money and are as safe and effective as the original biologic.

There are steps you can take to secure your home security camera. Read on to learn more. 

Here's what you can do to keep your voice assistant and recordings private and secure. 

Online reviews might help you decide what to buy or what company to hire. You should be able to trust that these reviews reflect the honest opinions of people who actually used a product or service. Unfortunately, some reviews are fake, deceptive, or manipulated — and that hurts both people and honest companies.

Use two-factor authentication to protect your accounts from hackers.

How to report suspicious online reviews across some popular websites.

Reverse mortgages let you cash in on the equity in your home: these mortgages can have serious implications.

Signing over your disability settlement payments to raise cash fast can hurt your finances in the long run. You may end up without enough money to live on. 

Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact you through popular social media sites like Instagram or Facebook. The scammers strike up a relationship with you to build up trust, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day. Then, they make up a story and ask for money. Learn how to avoid romance scams.

Scammers use rental listings to get you to pay in advance for a place to live or vacation.

Steps that can help protect your internet-connected devices.

Before you trade in, sell, give away, or recycle your phone, remove your personal information.

How to remove your personal information from your computer so it doesn’t end up in the hands of an identity thief.

Find out what to do if you paid someone you think is a scammer, or if you gave a scammer your personal information or access to your computer or phone.

Four steps to protect your phone from hackers.