Articles

These tips can help you hang up on a phone scammer and hold onto your money.

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.

Explains auto warranties and auto service contracts and their differences. Also describes extended warranty scams and your rights.

Learn ways to helps kids reduce the risks that come with socializing online.

Are you having trouble paying your car loan and thinking about doing business with a company that promises to get you a loan with lower monthly payments? Not all refinancing companies play by the rules. Learn how to recognize, avoid, and report auto loan refinancing scams.

There are lots of ways to protect your personal information and data from scammers. But what happens if your email or social media account gets hacked? Here are some quick steps to help you recover your email or social media account.

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.

Got a phone? Then chances are you get calls from scammers. Scammers don’t care if you’re on the National Do Not Call Registry. That’s why your best defense against unwanted calls is call blocking and call labeling. Here’s how to block and report unwanted calls on cell phones and home phones.

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

Need cash fast to deal with an emergency, bills, or rent? A payday loan or car title loan might be tempting. But these are expensive loans and they can trap you in debt. Find out how they work and about other possible ways to get money or credit quickly.

Recognizing these common signs of a scam could help you avoid one.

Your caller ID might show a real government agency or company name or number. But scammers can fake caller ID. Don't trust it — even if it looks real.

What to do about illegal robocalls.

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. 

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?

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.