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.

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

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

Spot and avoid real estate investment seminar scams, investment coaching scams, and precious metals and coins investment scams.

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

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.

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. 

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.