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.

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?

“Buy now, pay later,” rent-to-own, lease-to-own, and layaway plans let you buy things without paying in full right away. Before you say yes to one of these plans, find out the details. Depending on the type of plan you choose, you could end up paying a lot more than you expected.

“Buy now, pay later,” rent-to-own, lease-to-own, and layaway plans let you buy things without paying in full right away. Before you say yes to one of these plans, find out the details. Depending on the type of plan you choose, you could end up paying a lot more than you expected.

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 to know about the rules and your rights when a collector contacts you about a deceased relative’s debts.

Caregiver websites can help you find jobs. But scammers also use them to find people to rip off.

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.

Scammers promise to make changes to your mortgage loan or take other steps to save your home, but they don’t deliver. Never pay a company upfront for promises to help you get relief on paying your mortgage.

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.