In the News
Credit Card Issuers Raising Rates Ahead of New Law
As posted on July 2, 2009 on www.washingtonpost.com
Banks hike credit card rates and fees before new credit card law takes effect...
FTC Cracks Down on Scammers Trying to Take Advantage of the Economic Downturn
As posted on July 1, 2009 on www.ftc.gov
FTC announces law enforcement crackdown on fraudsters and new consumer education effort...
Don't get hooked by fishy scare tactics
From the June 10, 2009 edition, USA Today, Page 1B
Pitches for fake Internet security show up in surprising places...
Reforms aimed at consumers
From the June 7, 2009 edition, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Financial reforms offer greater protections to consumers...
Debt-collection tactics under scrutiny
From the June 7, 2009 edition, The Christian-Science Monitor
At issue: Coercing debtors into waiving rights they don't know they have.
Dietary supplements can hurt health, wallet
As posted on May 31, 2009 on www.ajc.com
Scammers deceive consumers with false product claims and hidden charges...
Job scams take toll on the desperate
As posted on May 26, 2009 on www.ajc.com
Easy-money ploys flourish in recession. Be wary of any request for upfront payment, the experts warn.
What the New Credit Card Law Means For You
As posted on May 19, 2009 on www.cnbc.com
The new federal credit card law will provide more transparency and greater protections for consumers...
Swine flu scammers driving consumers to pharmacy Web sites
As posted on May 1, 2009 on www.bizjournals.com
Emails with "swine flu" in subject line may be scams...
Scams are feeding on desperation
From the April 20, 2009 edition, USA Today, Page 3B
People grasping for hope can fall victim...
Regulators struggle to contain foreclosure fraud
As posted on April 6, 2009 on www.msnbc.com
Distressed homeowners fall victim to scams promising to save their homes...
Government cracking down on mortgage scams
As posted on April 6, 2009 on http://news.yahoo.com
Con artists prey on struggling home owners by offering fraudulent loan modifications for up-front fees.
How to Blow Your Credit Limit -- Without Spending
As posted on www.smartmoney.com on March 12, 2009
Credit card companies create credit woes for consumers by cutting back credit limits to below customers' current balances...
Folding dealers shock car buyers with unpaid liens
As posted on February 1, 2009 on http://news.yahoo.com
Dealers that go under often leave consumers stuck with unpaid loans on their trade-ins...
Data-stealing scams have kicked into high gear since last fall
From the January 29, 2009 edition, USA Today, page 1A
Internet crime has sky-rocketed with worsening economic crisis...
Navigating disputes over credit card charges
From the January 26, 2009 edition, USA Today, page 3B
When you disagree with credit card charges, it pays to know the rules...
Liquidation sales: Big numbers - but are they bargains?
As posted on January 26, 2009 on www.jacksonville.com
Appeal of slashed prices is strong, but comparison shopping is crucial.
Circuit City, R.I.P.
As posted on January 16, 2009 on www.yahoo.com
Bankrupt Circuit City to liquidate merchandise in all remaining US stores.
Resolved: This Year, I'll Keep More Cash
From the January 2009 edition, Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine
Seven easy ways to save nearly $10,000 in 2009...
Mysterious credit card charge may have hit millions of users
As posted on January 11, 2009 on www.bostonglobe.com
Small, fraudulent credit card charges may pay off big for identity thieves...
The Debt Trap: Colleges Profit as Banks Market Credit Cards to Students
From the January 1, 2009 edition, New York Times, New York Edition, page B1
Colleges may be encouraging student credit card debt by selling students' addresses to banks...