Welcome to Consumers’ Notebook, where we feature news-you-can-use and other timely information to help you become a more informed consumer. Check back often to read the latest pieces in our Notebook.
Important Tax Law Changes That May Affect Your 2021 Tax Return
In 2021, as in most years, tax laws were revised and tweaked, possibly impacting your return. Here is what to expect as we head into tax season.
Automakers Rev Up Subscription Services
When you buy or lease your next car, you might be required to pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee to activate some of its features.
How to Handle Holiday Gift Returns
Retailers are bracing for a record number of post-Christmas returns, and their customers expect stores (online and brick-and-mortar) to make it easy to return unwanted gifts and to provide speedy refunds.
Fraud Alert: Phone Scams Involving Amazon Impersonators Are Skyrocketing
Scammers impersonate all sorts of businesses, but Amazon is “a runaway favorite” of telephone fraudsters, according to a report from the Federal Trade Commission.
New Federal Rules Spell Out What Debt Collectors Can and Cannot Do
New debt collection regulations took effect at the end of November. The new rules focus on communications and disclosures from debt collectors, including what a collector can say, how often they can contact the consumer, what information must be provided, and what qualifies as harassment.
Marriott Settles Lawsuit and Agrees to Include ‘Resort Fees’ in Advertised Room Rates
In a major victory for travelers, last week Marriott International settled a consumer protection lawsuit brought by the Pennsylvania attorney general and agreed to begin disclosing upfront any mandatory fees, including resort fees.
Holiday Shopping Tips: Gift Yourself Less Stress and Lower Spending
For the 2021 holiday shopping season, brace yourself for shortages, shipping delays, changes to retailers’ traditional discounting practices, and more. But there are still plenty of ways to save money and make sure you cover everyone on your “nice” list. Here are our top tips for holiday shopping.
Attention Holiday Shoppers: The Pros and Cons of Retail Credit Cards
While having a store’s card may make sense for you, applying for credit can impact your credit score and overall finances, so it should never be done without careful consideration. You need to understand the terms, fees, and interest rate. Most retail credit cards have higher interest rates than traditional credit cards.
Get Ready for a Weird Black Friday This Year
Inflation, supply chain disruptions, and the pandemic are shaping this year’s Black Friday promotions, limiting the number of products retailers can advertise and the size of discounts they can offer.
Should You Use Buy Now, Pay Later for Your Holiday Shopping?
BNPL services market themselves as the consumer-friendly alternative to credit cards, but they don't offer the strong consumer protections you get from credit cards, and there is growing concern that many rely on profits from late fees from struggling consumers.
Fraud Alert: Scammers Target Those Looking for Work
Job scams increased dramatically during the pandemic––and they’re expected to flourish as America gets back to work. Last year, more than 16,000 people reported being victims of employment scams to the FBI.
Attending College Next Year? It’s Time to File Your FAFSA to Find Out About Financial Assistance
FAFSA is the gateway to your share of the nearly $150 billion in federal aid available from the U.S. Department of Education, plus assistance from state governments and most colleges and universities.
Early-Bird Holiday Shopping Might be the Smart Move This Year
We're again being told to “get going now” on our holiday shopping this year. Wait too long, retailers warn, and you might not find everything on your gift-giving list.
New Mortgage Underwriting Program Could Help More Renters Become Homeowners
As of September 18, Fannie Mae will consider rental payment history as part of its risk assessment for loan approval.
Fraud Alert: Malicious QR Codes Now Used by Online Scammers
The rapid acceptance of QR codes during the pandemic has been good for restaurants and retailers, but it’s also provided cyber criminals with a powerful new tool.
Pause on Student Loan Payments Ends in January; Here’s How to Prepare
The government-mandated pause on federal student loan repayments, interest, and collections—set to expire at the end of September—has been extended until Jan. 31, 2022. The Department of Education made it clear this is the “final pause.”...
Are You Sharing Your Wi-Fi with Amazon? If So, Should You Be Concerned?
Amazon Sidewalk, the retail giant’s new shared wireless network, is now up and running across the United States. If you have an Echo smart speaker or Ring security device, you may be powering Amazon’s “mesh network” without realizing it.
Data Breaches Skyrocket; Here’s How to Safeguard Your Online Accounts
Data breaches are up 58 percent in the first half of the year and are on a record-setting pace, according to a new report from the Identity Theft Resource Center. While that’s a staggering figure, you can still protect yourself by adopting some basic security habits.
FTC says Customers Have a 'Right to Repair' Products They Buy
When you buy a product and it breaks, your ability to repair it is often limited or prevented by the manufacturer or seller. The Federal Trade Commission announced it's going to fix this broken system by cracking down on illegal repair restrictions.
MoneyGram Refunds $125 Million to Scam Victims; Here's How to File a Claim
The FTC is trying to return $125 million to victims who wired money to con artists between 2013 and 2017 using MoneyGram. That money is part of a 2018 settlement with the FTC and Department of Justice.