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.
Zelle Scams Spike; Banks Often Refuse to Help
Use a payment platform provided by your bank or credit union, and you probably assume your financial institution will be there to help if there’s a problem. Don’t count on it. Customers tricked into sending money to scammers via Zelle are learning that lesson the hard way.
Robocalls on the Rise: How You Can Fight Back
For years, we’ve been promised that new technology would solve the robocall problem. But phones keep ringing.
Drivers Beware: Most States Still Allow Predatory Towing Schemes
“Predatory towing,” where towing companies pay kickbacks to private businesses or law enforcement, is banned in only 17 states, and continues to create needless problems for drivers, according to a new report from the consumer advocates at the U.S. PIRG Education Fund.
Student Loan Payment Pause Will End Soon, Here’s How to Prepare
Unless another extension gets issued, payments will resume in September for the 37 million borrowers who have benefited from the program.
Is It Time to Buy an Electric Vehicle?
Electric vehicle sales are still a tiny part of the U.S. auto market. But surging gas prices are driving up demand and automakers are racing to get new plug-in hybrids and all-electric models to market.
IRS Has $1.5 Billion in Refunds for Taxpayers Who Did Not File a 2018 Return; Deadline is April 18
Time is running out for the estimated 1.5 million people who did not file a 2018 federal income tax return. After April 18, these unclaimed refunds—totaling almost $1.5 billion—will become property of the U.S. Treasury Department.
Fraud Alert: Criminals Pitch Bogus Cryptocurrency Investments
A gold-rush mentality created by the cryptocurrency craze has people sending money to companies that promise huge returns in days or weeks without first checking them out. Often, they’re scams—cyber criminals are increasingly luring victims who hope to get rich quick.
Do I Owe Taxes on My Cryptocurrency Investments?
If you sold or exchanged any virtual currency last year—including using it to buy goods or services—and the value of that crypto was higher than when you acquired it, you likely made a taxable capital gain, subject to federal taxation.
Escalated Threat of Cyber Attack Makes Good Computer Hygiene Even More Critical
Your digital devices are vulnerable to a malware attack anytime they’re connected to the internet, but the war in Ukraine has raised this risk. It is more important than ever to break bad computing habits.
How to Save Money at the Pump and Boost Your Car’s Gas Mileage
Unless you can park your car and drive less, there are three ways to deal with soaring gasoline prices: Hunt for the lowest price; chose the best way to pay; and then squeeze the most miles out of every gallon you buy.
Data Breaches Soar to New Record in 2021, Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Cyber criminals compromised 1,862 databases in the U.S. last year, according to the annual data breach report from the non-profit Identity Theft Resource Center. That’s a 68 percent jump from 2020, and a 23 percent increase from the previous record of 1,506, set in 2017.
Social Media Scams Are Skyrocketing. Here’s How to Protect Yourself.
Social media websites and apps are increasingly magnets for crooks looking for victims. About one quarter of all fraud losses reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last year resulted from scams that started with social media ads, posts, or messages.
Don’t Get Left Behind When Your Airline Travel Credits Expire
Millions of Americans who had flights canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic are still sitting on billions of dollars in unused airline credits. The clock is ticking: Many vouchers expire soon. Unfortunately, airlines often make it complicated, if not impossible, for consumers to use them.
Higher Interest Rates Are on the Way; Here’s How to Prepare
To combat inflation, the Federal Reserve is expected to increase the federal funds rate three times during 2022, and possibly more in 2023. Here’s a quick look at how these increases are likely to affect consumer borrowing and saving.
Credit Score Myths vs. Reality: Don’t Let These Common Misconceptions Hold You Back
Although good credit is important for so many reasons, many people don’t understand how the system works and instead make decisions based on misinformation. Checkbook asked Liz Weston, a personal finance columnist and author, to separate myths from facts.
3G Wireless Service Will End in 2022, Stranding Millions of Mobile Devices
This year, U.S. wireless carriers will turn off their old 3G (third-generation wireless) networks to make room for 4G and 5G traffic. The first shutdown starts next week, when AT&T throws its switch on Feb. 22.
Five Ways to Save Money on Valentine’s Day Flowers
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Here are some tips on how to get beautiful blooms for less green.
Court Approves Equifax Breach Settlement: Money for Some, Free Credit Monitoring for All
Equifax will pay up to $425 million in restitution to those directly impacted by the massive data breach of the credit bureau in 2017. Settlement notices are now being sent to those who previously filed claims for monetary compensation or free credit monitoring.
Amazon Ends Its ‘Sold by Amazon’ Program to Settle Price-Fixing Investigation
Amazon settled a lawsuit brought by Washington state’s Attorney General by permanently shutting down its “Sold by Amazon” program. The lawsuit alleged Amazon used the program to unlawfully fix prices to boost profits.
New Government Report: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion Rarely Act on Complaints About Credit File Errors
If you spot a mistake on your credit report and contact the credit bureau, there’s a good chance nothing will happen. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion together provided relief when alerted to errors less than two percent of the time last year, according to a new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.