When an Online Friendship Starts Asking for Money
My friend Joyce lost her husband four years ago. Last winter, a man named "David" started chatting with her o…
Read more →Scams & Safety
Spot scams and protect yourself online and on the phone, before they get you.
What to Do After Sending Money to a Scammer
My neighbor Walt called me on a Thursday evening, and I barely recognized his voice. "Bob, I think I did some…
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Selling on Facebook Marketplace? Never Send a Buyer a Code
Last spring I finally cleaned out the garage and listed my old riding lawnmower on Facebook Marketplace for $…
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A Caller Wants Your Verification Code? Here's What to Do
My old coworker Stan got a call on a Wednesday afternoon from a friendly young man who said he was with his b…
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A Free Credit Freeze Can Stop Thieves From Opening Accounts in Your Name
My cousin Vern opened his mail one Saturday and found a welcome letter for a department store credit card. He…
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Before You Scan a Parking Meter QR Code, Check for This
Cindy and I drove downtown for her eye appointment last spring. We found a spot right in front of the buildin…
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Got a Surprise Subscription Renewal Email? Don't Call That Number
My brother-in-law Gary is a retired accountant, so he notices numbers. When an email showed up saying his com…
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Your Bank Says Move Your Money to Safety? Stop and Call Them Yourself
My friend Ray is the most careful man I know. He balances his checkbook to the penny. So when he told me how …
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When a Family Emergency Call Sounds Exactly Right: How to Check
My cousin Linda's phone rang at 6:40 on a Tuesday morning. The voice on the other end was crying. "Grandma, i…
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