Here’s where we feature news-you-can-use and other timely information to help you become a more informed consumer. Check back often to read what’s happening.
New Climate Law Provides Big Tax Credits for Electric Vehicle Purchases, but Few Models Qualify Right Now
The new Inflation Reduction Act provides billions of dollars in tax incentives for clean-car buyers. But the law includes restrictions that could make it difficult or impossible for you to take advantage of the tax break anytime soon.
DOT Fines 6 Airlines and Orders Them to Refund $600 Million to Stranded Passengers
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has ordered six airlines to pay $600 million in refunds to passengers who had their flights canceled or significantly delayed during the pandemic. Only one of the six, Frontier, is a U.S. airline.
FTC Proposes New Advertising Guidelines Against Misleading Endorsements
To avoid misleading consumers, endorsements should be genuine and honest, and any relationships (such as compensation) between the advertiser and the endorser should be disclosed. In May, the FTC proposed several revisions to its guides that would clarify and strengthen rules for traditional media, plus apply guidelines to cover influencer endorsements.
Can You Trust Online Reviews for Home Warranty Companies?
For decades Checkbook has urged against buying home warranty plans, which we see as terrible deals. Consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky, publisher of ConsumerWorld.org, found something curious when he looked into online reviews for American Home Shield.
Good News for Consumers: Credit Bureaus Agree to Change How They Report Medical Debt
Tens of millions of Americans have seen their creditworthiness plummet in recent years due to unpaid medical bills. Recently, the three major credit bureaus agreed to significantly change how they treat this debt.
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.
Headlight Ratings Encourage Automakers to Improve Safety; These 2021 Models Scored Best
To encourage automakers to improve inferior headlights, in 2016 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety began rating vehicles for this important safety issue. Here are the 2021 models that scored best.
New Report Warns of Bad Actors in the Interstate Moving Industry
During a move, you’re trusting a company to get your possessions from here to there on time, without damage, and at the agreed upon price. All too often that doesn’t happen, especially for long-distance interstate relocations.
Is This a Good Time to Buy a New or Used Car?
People are buying cars again. To regain lost business, car manufacturers and dealers are promoting steep discounts and special financing.
Update: Advice from a Patient Advocate for Families with Vulnerable Loved Ones
During the coronavirus pandemic, patient advocates can offer vital assistance to the families of those who are hospitalized or locked down in senior communities.
Air Passenger Rights During Coronavirus Crisis
An airline must give you a refund if it cancels your flight. Many carriers finally are granting more flexibility for flyers who wish to change their travel plans due to the coronavirus crisis.
Dealing with Debt: The Smart Way to Get Your Finances Back in Order
Credit card debt can lead to serious financial trouble. A trained credit counselor can help you pay down debt, even if it seems insurmountable, and teach you skills to remain on track.
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.
Saving on Gas: Which Rewards Credit Cards Offer the Best Deals at the Pump?
Gas prices in the U.S. are soaring to record levels. One way to reduce pain at the pump is to use a rewards credit card. While you might think the best choice of plastic when filling up are those partnered with big oil companies, general-purpose rewards cards tend to offer better deals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.