Articles

Dishonest invention marketers lie about the profit potential of your invention to get you to pay for expensive, but often useless, services. Here’s what you need to know to avoid an invention marketing scam.

Thinking about getting your high school diploma? Here’s how to tell the difference between legit programs and diploma scams.

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.

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.

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.

Companies sometimes try to get new customers by sending “prescreened” offers. Learn how prescreening works and how to opt out.

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.

If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, it’s important to respond — either yourself or through an attorney. And remember, you have rights when it comes to dealing with debt collectors. Here are answers to some common questions you might have about the process.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.