Credit security freezes are often held up as the gold standard to protect consumers fromidentity theft. Much more restrictive than traditional fraud alerts, credit freezes prevent anyone from opening up new accounts using a consumer’s Social Security number — including the rightful owner of the number. To get credit, a [Keep reading]
January brings a lot of sobering realities. Most of us start the month with a literal or metaphorical headache. We’ll likely be heavier, facing bigger credit card bills, and headed away from our families and back to the grind. We’ll probably be facing the worst weather of the year and the darkest days, [Keep reading]
Is there a way to beat gotcha artists at their own game? To make money off those who make money by tricking consumers? Two brothers in Tennessee may have figured out how to do just that. Their proposition is simple. Feel like you’ve been mistreated by a company and you’ve [Keep reading]
A deal is a deal. Unless that deal is made on Stubhub, it would appear. Here’s a cautionary tale for anyone who dabbled in online ticket event sales, brought to light earlier today by a website named TheLeadSports.com. Click on that link for all the details, they deserve the traffic, [Keep reading]
It’s the time of year when people look at their bank accounts — and their scales — and resolve to do a bit better next year. There’s more than a coincidental connection between eating healthy and saving money. Researchers have found that, at least in some cases, the same part [Keep reading]
Those who know me know that for about 15 years, I’ve made a calendar for my family with landscape pictures from my travels. This is mostly so my mother knows where I’ve been and why I don’t call home as often as I should. But through the years, I’ve taken [Keep reading]
Uber’s critical fare estimate tool seemed to disappear for some consumers during the New Year’s Eve crush — right when it was needed most. I first reported on the problems this weekend. The firm initially said the tool was working normally, but it has now confirmed something was amiss. An Uber spokesperson [Keep reading]
UPDATE, 12:19 p.m., 1/3/2016: Uber has been aware of the disappearing fare estimate button for months. Asked on Twitter if it had removed the button, Uber’s Boston account Tweeter to a consumer in October: “Definitely not. There is currently a bug that is effecting (sic) that feature. Thanks for your [Keep reading]
Will 2016 be the year people really start buying things with their phones? The year a hacker finally turns the lights off? Or a self-driving car causes an accident? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe some of these things won’t happen until January 2017 — the 12-month time horizon is pretty arbitrary — but these [Keep reading]
Starbucks’ app and gift card attacks. Comcast’s “free” modem, surprise fees, and free hotspot complaints. Mobile deposit problems. Where the heck can families afford to live in America? Why Ubernomics is destined to fail. These topics and stories form the core of my most popular posts in 2015. The list [Keep reading]
Bob Sullivan