Linda Y: Are debit credit cards safer than regular credit cards? Should you be as safe with them giving out the numbers to stores and ordering over the Internet?

JW: Debit cards are certainly becoming more popular, and you have good reason to be concerned. After checking around, I discovered that while federal laws say you’re not liable for more than $50 if your credit card is used for unauthorized charges, the money for debit card purchases is transferred almost immediately from your bank account, no matter what the amount. Continue reading Should I Use A Debit Card For Online Purchases? »

 

With fears about the credit crisis and uncertainty plaguing the economy, more and more Americans are feeling a financial pinch. Some homeowners are having difficulty making payments on their homes and are looking for help to meet their mortgage commitments. Unfortunately, there are scam artists looking to take advantage of homeowners’ vulnerability. If you find yourself in a tight situation, you should be aware of the signs that could help you identify which companies are fraudulent and which are legitimate. Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Avoid Falling Victim To A Foreclosure Rescue Scheme »

According to the Federal Trade Commission, millions of Americans are affected by telephone fraud every year. But did you know that you could be a victim of these crimes without ever answering a call? Unscrupulous companies can add unauthorized charges to your phone bill for services that you have never requested in a scam called “Phone Cramming.”

These crooks rely on lengthy and confusing phone bills to try and trick you into paying for long distance calls, toll calls, or unwanted services – even recurring monthly charges. Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Avoid Phone Cramming »

We’ve all received unwanted spam messages sent to our email inboxes. And now with more of us sending text messages, checking email and accessing the internet through our phones, we are opening ourselves up for a new area of vulnerability. Experts estimate that this year as many as 1.5 billion spam messages will be sent out to mobile devices.

In 2003, Congress passed the CAN-SPAM (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography) Act in order to help stop spam. However, there are some loopholes in the Act that may still leave you and your phone vulnerable to spammers. Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Don’t Be A Victim Of Smishing »