It's National Consumer Protection Week. So I've come up with a list of our stories and columns that will help you learn what your rights are as a consumer and how to protect yourself. The Federal Trade commission also has consumer-protection resources you might want to check out.
Credit cards and banking
FAQs on the New Credit-Card Rules: Sweeping changes shift the game in consumers' favor.
A New Ban on Overdraft Fees: The Federal Reserve is providing more protections for consumers.
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Investing
Our Man Goes Undercover and Tells All: The free trading-education seminars he attended turned out to be short on wisdom and long on hard sell.
Why It's Hard to Fight Brokers: Mad as hell over losses? You can go to arbitration, but the deck will be stacked against you.
Loans
This Pitch Is Legit: Reverse loans let seniors convert equity to cash, but at a price.
beware refund-anticipation loans: there are other ways to get cash fast without the high interest rates and fees.
scams
Protect Your Identity During the 2010 Census: Here's what you should expect when the government starts collecting information about your household next month.
Protect Your Identity Every Day: Follow these tips so that you never become a victim of ID theft.
Services
Resources to Help You Check Out a Company: Here's how to learn about the reputation of a business before you sign on the dotted line.
Complain and Get Results: If you're unhappy with a product or service you received, here's how to effectively lodge a complaint.
Shopping
Showing ID When Paying With a Card: Here's why you should think twice about handing over identification when paying with a credit card -- and what to do if the merchant won't accept your card if you refuse to show ID.
Get Your Fair Share When a Company Goes Broke: Here's what happens if you buy a gift card or make a down payment with a retailer that files for bankruptcy.
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I'm want to give my 3 grandkids $5K each for Christmas.You're comfortably retired and want to give your grandkids a big Christmas check, but their parents are worried they might spend it all. We ask the pros for help.
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If You're Not Doing Roth Conversions, You Need to Read ThisRoth conversions and other Roth strategies can be complex, but don't dismiss these tax planning tools outright. They could really work for you and your heirs.
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Could Traditional Retirement Expectations Be Killing Us?A retirement psychologist makes the case: A fulfilling retirement begins with a blueprint for living, rather than simply the accumulation of a large nest egg.
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Seven Things You Should Do Now if You Think Your Identity Was StolenIf you suspect your identity was stolen, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself, but make sure you take action fast.
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The 8 Financial Documents You Should Always ShredIdentity Theft The financial documents piling up at home put you at risk of fraud. Learn the eight types of financial documents you should always shred to protect yourself.
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How to Guard Against the New Generation of Fraud and Identity TheftIdentity Theft Fraud and identity theft are getting more sophisticated and harder to spot. Stay ahead of the scammers with our advice.
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12 Ways to Protect Yourself From Fraud and ScamsIdentity Theft Think you can spot the telltale signs of frauds and scams? Follow these 12 tips to stay safe from evolving threats and prevent others from falling victim.
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Watch Out for These Travel Scams This SummerIdentity Theft These travel scams are easy to fall for and could wreck your summer. Take a moment to read up on the warning signs and simple ways to protect yourself.
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How to Guard Against Identity Theft in 2025Scammers are getting better at impersonating legitimate businesses.
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Social Media Scams Cost Consumers $2.7B, Study ShowsScams related to online shopping, investment schemes and romance top the FTC's social media list this year.
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Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
