If you’ve recently noticed the incessant advertisements for fantasy sports websites with cash prizes and wondered, “Why isn’t this gambling?” you aren’t alone. New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone is wondering, too, and he’s called for Congressional hearings on the matter. Online gambling is illegal. Gambling on sporting events is illegal [Keep reading]
Expedia.com has asked me to warn consumers that the firm is getting complaints about a travel scam targeting Expedia consumers. In this scam, con artists call consumers claiming to be from Expedia, then tell listeners they’ve won a prize. After a bit more trickery, targets are asked to pay a fee in [Keep reading]
There’s a very hot place in Hell for people who steal money from the elderly, but I’m hoping there’s an even hotter place for criminals who pose as desperate grandchildren when they do so. I know many of you know about Facebook friend scams and the “grandparent scam” version of [Keep reading]
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There’s a reason people live on America’s east or west coast: That’s where the opportunities are. But New York / Washington / Los Angeles / San Francisco have a lot of other natural advantages. There’s something primal about being near the ocean. There’s something historic about being near New York. [Keep reading]
Two of the nation’s largest debt collectors must refund nearly $60 million to consumers and stop trying to collect on another $128 million in debts, after an action filed by federal regulators Wednesday. San Diego-based Encore Capital Group and Virginia-based Portfolio Recovery Associates are accused of pressuring consumers with false statements [Keep reading]
Big changes are coming to both credit scores and credit reports – some as soon as September. Thanks to a combination of state lawsuits, federal regulation, and old-fashioned competitive pressures, the way Americans are graded on their ability to pay back loans is about to enter a bit of a [Keep reading]
One of Heidi’s biggest fears is growing old with credit card debt, but it sure looked like she was headed that way last year. That’s why Heidi took a second job. The 41-year-old, who lives near Pittsburgh, has about $30,000 in credit card debt. Right now Heidi — who asked [Keep reading]
Get ready for your home Internet to feel like your smartphone — bound by data caps, a large overage fee waiting to happen. Comcast gave some users the bad news Thursday — not surprisingly before a long weekend. Consumers who exceed 300 GB in a month will have to pay for [Keep reading]
Jim has a two-month old baby. He’s working at 10 p.m. when I meet him, and the baby — his wife stopped in to say hi. It unclear when she will go back to work. You’d think Jim is sleep-deprived from working long hours or a second job. But he’s not [Keep reading]
Bob Sullivan