Question 1. My husband went to company who claims they work with the mortgage company and negotiate on your behalf "for a fee." They claim we as homeowners cannot do this on our own. Now I am beginning to think we made a very big mistake. -- Worried in Florida
Consumers should be skeptical of health and weight-loss claims of the increasingly popular Brazilian fruit, acai, and the free trial offers that ask for their credit card information, a nonprofit health group said Monday.
As a record number of Americans collect unemployment benefits, some U.S. economists predict that jobless claims are "nowhere near their peak."
The federal government's plan to revive the ailing economy is stimulating business already - for con artists at least.
With the nation's unemployment rate at 7.6% and expectations for it to go even higher in this year, work-at-home Web sites which promise big money for little or no experience are extremely tempting in the best of times, but now more than ever, people are falling victims to work-at-home scams.
If your business has an online presence, picking a Web host is one of the most critical decisions you'll make. The host manages the servers on which your site will run and literally has control of your company's connection to its customers.
The Better Business Bureau is assuring individuals who recently received a check from a federal court in Pennsylvania that the checks are legitimate and part of a settlement agreement with Wachovia Bank related to telemarketing fraud.
As a rule, most travel agents are well-trained, competent professionals who work hard for you.
As the economy sinks deeper into a slump, Americans find it tougher to come up with extra money to chip away at their debts. And as the debt piles up, more consumers are getting calls from debt collectors looking for payment.
Loan modifications for homeowners in trouble: there are a lot of proposals out there. But what's the best way to go about reworking your mortgage terms? Here's what you need to know.
Question 1. My husband went to company who claims they work with the mortgage company and negotiate on your behalf "for a fee." They claim we as homeowners cannot do this on our own. Now I am beginning to think we made a very big mistake. -- Worried in Florida
Consumers should be skeptical of health and weight-loss claims of the increasingly popular Brazilian fruit, acai, and the free trial offers that ask for their credit card information, a nonprofit health group said Monday.
As a record number of Americans collect unemployment benefits, some U.S. economists predict that jobless claims are "nowhere near their peak."
The federal government's plan to revive the ailing economy is stimulating business already - for con artists at least.
With the nation's unemployment rate at 7.6% and expectations for it to go even higher in this year, work-at-home Web sites which promise big money for little or no experience are extremely tempting in the best of times, but now more than ever, people are falling victims to work-at-home scams.
If your business has an online presence, picking a Web host is one of the most critical decisions you'll make. The host manages the servers on which your site will run and literally has control of your company's connection to its customers.
The Better Business Bureau is assuring individuals who recently received a check from a federal court in Pennsylvania that the checks are legitimate and part of a settlement agreement with Wachovia Bank related to telemarketing fraud.
As a rule, most travel agents are well-trained, competent professionals who work hard for you.
As the economy sinks deeper into a slump, Americans find it tougher to come up with extra money to chip away at their debts. And as the debt piles up, more consumers are getting calls from debt collectors looking for payment.
Loan modifications for homeowners in trouble: there are a lot of proposals out there. But what's the best way to go about reworking your mortgage terms? Here's what you need to know.
Donna and David Sloat love to travel. When they got a postcard that claimed they could get 50 percent off the price of cruises and 75 percent off condo vacations, they were intrigued.
Looking for love this Valentine's day? Make sure Cupid's arrow doesn't hit your wallet.
One upside to the popped real estate bubble is that hiring contractors has suddenly become a lot easier. A couple of years ago, it seemed like you had to be an A-list celebrity or a hedge fund tycoon to get one to so much as call you back. But with homeowners increasingly hesitant to plow big bucks into home improvement, even the best contractors might pick up your call before the second ring.
If you've faced a financial catastrophe -- an illness or job layoff -- and you've fallen behind on some bills, you're well aware that debt collectors are eager to collect those payments.
When tour operators such as Traveland implode, their customers get burned. Here's what to do if ...
Banks are tightening their purse strings, making it harder to qualify for loans. And now the Better Business Bureau is warning that some companies are using the credit crunch to take advantage of consumers who want to clean up their credit. Here are some top tips on avoiding these scams.
Dear FSB: What is the best way to sell a small business valued between $1 to $2 million?
Dear FSB: I am in the process of opening a diner/ice cream parlor in town and am struggling with which credit card processing company to go with. There are many, and I have heard horror stories. I have also looked up several with the Better Business Bureau. Do you have any advice or recommendations for a first-time business owner?
Despite the credit crunch, Americans will donate more than $100 billion to charities. Here are the best ways you can make sure your donation is going to the right place.
Winter heating bills are going to be even more brutal than the government projected, according to a new report. The average household will pay $986 in heating costs this winter. This is up almost 11 percent from last season, according to the Energy Information Administration. To prevent skyrocketing bills, invest in an energy audit. We'll tell you how.
Whether your last move was across the country or across the street, it probably ended with two words: "Never again!" But you don't always have the luxury of staying in the same place forever. Sooner or later, you find yourself surrounded by cardboard boxes and packing tape again. Don't despair.
Jennifer Falke and her family had been in their Columbus, Ohio, home for nearly 12 years when they hit a rough patch in 2006. Falke was out of work and fell behind on the mortgage.
Parents beware - financial aid scams are growing. Complaints are up 60 percent last year, according to the Better Business Bureau. Here's what you need to watch out for.
Parents beware. Financial aid scams are growing. Complaints were up 60 percent in 2006, according to the Better Business Bureau. Here's what you need to watch out for.
With the tax filing deadline less than two weeks away, the Justice Department announced it is suing five companies that operate Jackson Hewitt Tax Services franchises, accusing them of preparing fraudulent tax returns.
Here's a staggering number: American consumers owe nearly two-and-a-half trillion dollars.
Giving a present that also benefits charities may seem like the perfect holiday gift, but in most cause-related marketing, less than 10 percent of proceeds go to charities.
The holiday season brings out more than yuletide and cheer. Thieves are also hard at work.
If someone is pitching you a financial product (such as a stock, a bond or an investment fund)...
REBATES WOULD SEEM TO BE THE PERFECT SALES TOOL. The promised savings bring in customers, many of whom never claim the rebate that drew them. University of South Carolina professor Timothy Silk est...
So you're standing in the yard of your new house--only it's missing its windows, a shower is on the front porch, and there's rainwater inside because of a hole in the roof the size of a Hyundai. Oh...
So you're standing in the yard of your new house - only it's missing its windows, a shower is on the front porch, and there's rainwater inside because of a hole in the roof the size of a Hyundai. Oh, and your contractor? Apparently he's gone into the witness protection program.
Just about anyone can set up a shingle and call themselves an accountant. And when tax time approaches, having the right person handling your financial accounts is more important than ever.
No one likes a hangover -- least of all corporate America. According to the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, sick days after overindulgent nights cost the U.S. economy $148 billion annually. Bu...
Chimneys are going to be puffing away soon as homeowners look to snuggle up to their fireplaces this winter season. In today's top 5 tips we're going to give you some chimney safety ideas and advise you on how to avoid getting swindled by bogus chimney sweeps.
Rebates are supposed to help you save some cash on your purchases, but are consumers getting the short end of deal?
LOWER YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS!
Tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes.
Lower your monthly payments! Reduce your debt in seconds!! Watch your credit scores soar!!!
All the recent talk about the changing bankruptcy law may have you taking a second look at your finances.
Remember WIN buttons? (The little lapel pins that read "Whip Inflation Now" from the Ford administration of the 1970s). Pretty soon you may have to. Energy prices, from gas to electricity, are on the rise.
Tens of thousands of children are going to starve to death in the West African Nation of Niger unless they get aid. In fact, 1.2 million people are starving. It's a crisis that could have been avoided, according to the United Nations. But it seems no one was listening to the warnings last year.
Sybil Pryor thought she was getting a deal. Early last year, a contractor showed up at the 77-year-old's Oakland, Calif. home and offered to install a new roof and and new siding. The cost? Not to ...
Sybil Pryor thought she was getting a deal.
Consider these odds: About 2.6 percent of Americans have their homes burglarized in a year. But about 4.25 percent of adults (or 9.3 million Americans) are hit by ID theft, the Better Business Bureau and Javelin Strategy & Research estimate.
It can be so infuriating when the dry-cleaner ruins another pair of your pants. And what about those annoying spam e-mails you get everyday? Or maybe your car has a major flaw, like the recent one Ford Explorers are being recalled for: an incinerating engine.
At a time of unprecedented giving, the FBI warns that Internet scams are emerging.
Once you've identified the causes that matter most to you, find the specific charities that best fit your giving goals.
'Tis the season for giving. And, for many people that means more than just buying presents for friends and family -- it means giving to charity.
More and more Americans are skipping the mall and shopping online.
Oh, the irony: Scammers are invoking the name of our government to rip off unsuspecting sorts. Callers from "U.S. Federal Grant Information Central" or the "Government Grant Information Guide" deli...
If you drive a lemon off the lot, nowadays you have a good option for solving your beef with the car maker: arbitration. But there's a right way to do it and a wrong way. Scott Taylor learned that ...
In the wake of a disaster like Hurricane Charley, fraud artists come quickly out of the woodwork to prey on shell-shocked storm victims.
In the wake of a disaster like Hurricane Frances, fraud artists come quickly out of the woodwork to prey on shell-shocked storm victims.
The Internet is a wealth of information, and, as it turns out, unconventional gift ideas. This Mother's Day, you can send Mom anything from bath beads to precious stones to peonies, all with the click of a mouse. You can also send help to people around the world in honor of someone who has undoubtedly helped you over the years: mom.
More and more Americans are skipping the mall and heading online to shop. In each of the next five years, sales via the web will grow at a 19 percent clip, says Forrester Research. By 2008, consumers will spend nearly $230 billion or 10 percent of all retail sales online.
Giving to a good cause just got easier. No, we're not talking about finding the extra bucks to donate, but about separating well-run charities from well-intentioned money wasters. A new website cal...
Since concerns about security, privacy or scams linger around Internet shopping, it's no surprise that an industry has popped up that aims to assuage those fears with a seal of approval. But the me...
Until recently I almost never wore a watch. I didn't like the way one felt strapped to my wrist, so I simply learned to do without, relying on those big clocks outside banks or craning my neck to s...
In many a holiday home, atop the growing mat of needles from the Christmas tree, there's a pile of gifts to be returned for another size or color, or some other item entirely. In fact, 11% of all g...
In the Fall of 1995, Jo Pettit, a writer from Amityville, N.Y., emptied out a safe-deposit box at her hometown bank, Columbia Federal Savings. The following January, the bank mailed her an annual b...
You need to find a reputable moving company fast. Or maybe the car muffler you just had installed went south while you were headed north, and when you dialed the repair shop where you got it, a rec...
Nightly TV news images of needy people including the 2 million Rwandan refugees may leave you wanting to help but unsure of how to do that effectively. Each year Money helps readers to size up char...
Telephone con artists are moving into the charity-scam business in a big way. "Telemarketers who used to peddle nonexistent oil leases or 'rare' coins are turning to fake charity solicitations and ...
Q. My father died recently, leaving my healthy, active 72-year-old mother with homes in New York and Florida, 10,000 shares of Philip Morris stock worth about $472,500, and $1.3 million in tax-free...
"Many people aren't happy with their lawyers because they feel overcharged," says Paula Monopoli at L.A.'s Southwestern University Law School. But you can take some practical steps to avoid that re...
South Florida, long a haven for boiler-room operations, now harbors a new form of flimflam: phony employment agencies that collect up-front fees -- typically $200 to $300 -- from people around the ...
So many customers got sore at their dry cleaners last year that the industry zoomed from No. 11 to No. 7 on the Better Business Bureau's list of the top & consumer complaints -- beating out even au...
Budget cuts have squeezed many state consumer agencies and Better Business Bureaus. For advice on how people can best protect themselves today, MONEY writer Penelope Wang interviewed Steve Gardner,...
Starting out The Common-Sense Mortgage: How to Cut the Cost of Home Ownership by $100,000 or More by Peter G. Miller (Harper Perennial, $8.95). This guide tells house hunters what to seek and avoid...
Before giving money to a charity, you surely want to feel confident that the group will put your dollars to good use. The exclusive MONEY honor roll of the 10 best-managed large U.S. charities (pre...
America's big charities seem to be spending your money more wisely. Roughly three-quarters of the 100 largest groups, listed at right and on page 136, spent more than 70% of the money they raised i...
All travelers may have undeniable rights to the comfort and convenience they pay for, but that hardly means suppliers automatically deliver. ''You must assert yourself,'' says San Francisco travel ...
When you give to a charity, you want to make sure that your hard-earned dollars will be used to help the causes that concern you -- the homeless, saving the whales or finding a cure for cancer -- r...
ACTOR DON JOHNSON WAS the perfect expression of mid-'80s cool when he played detective Sonny Crockett on Miami Vice. But in real life, Johnson can get hot. Just ask him about building contractors. ...
Actor Don Johnson was the perfect expression of mid-'80s cool when he played detective Sonny Crockett on Miami Vice. But in real life, Johnson can get hot. Just ask him about building contractors. ...
Tis the season to help others -- and with the homeless crisis, Hurricane Hugo and the California earthquake fresh in their minds, Americans are expected to contribute a record $22.5 billion to char...
If during a bout of insomnia you have ever snapped on the television, chances are you've seen an ''infomercial'': a five-to-30-minute commercial, often disguised as a talk show, that usually airs d...
MARKETING GIMMICKS Q. I recently received a letter from a company called Healthway Products of Texas in San Antonio telling me that I had won one of five awards ranging from a 1989 Ford Taurus to a...
As Samuel Johnson, the 18th-century English lexicographer, observed, ''Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.'' Beginners in perso...
When Barry and Karen Wiedemann of Placerville, Calif. noticed white smoke spewing from the tailpipe of their 1980 Mazda 626 last July, the local mechanic they turned to said they needed a new engin...
When a one-inch-by-one-inch ad in your Sunday newspaper promises a round-trip flight to Paris for only $400, or to Tokyo for $600, is it too good to be true? Not necessarily. The slack demand for f...
Sun block is not all you need to avoid getting burned on your next vacation or business trip. If you plan to rent a car, pack a magnifying glass and calculator. Once you read the fine print of the ...
Your friends' living room looks as if they had just casually tossed it together but everything landed in the perfect place in the perfect color and in perfect taste. Don't envy their decorating gen...
ROSS PEROT is giving away his $2.5-billion fortune. He says it is all going to charity, ''the best and highest use.'' Over the past two decades he has parted with more than $100 million, and in the...
If all the gold that has been taken from the earth in all of recorded history could be molded into one cube, it would measure only 18 yards to a side -- small enough to fit in a modest suburban bac...
Whether you are lord of a modest manor whose treasure chest holds just a weekly paycheck or you preside over a sprawling financial kingdom whose coffers bulge with assets, at some time you are goin...
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