Articles on Consumer Affairs

3 Ways to Ban Spam and Stop Junk

Junk mail kills trees; Spam and unsolicited phone calls kill your day. Here's the best way to get rid of all three!

Warning: The Government Mail You Received Might Be a Scam

Scam artists are constantly bombarding you with bills that look like official government mail. It is one of the most effective scams, and there’s a good chance you are already a vi

Secrets of Telemarketing From an Industry Insider

Recently, someone from "behind enemy lines" came forward to give us all invaluable tips on dealing with those harassing calls from telemarketers. Learn the secrets you need to know

Recession Journal VI: It's OVER!!!!!!!!!!!! Any Questions?

The recession is technically over, officially over, numerically over. How do you feel now and what are you gonna do about it?

The Best 4-Step Plan to Manage Your Medical Correspondence

How do you process the deluge of statements, notices, and bills for your healthcare? Processing them with these four steps could make the difference between overlooking important p

Thirteen Minutes to a Lower Cable Bill

As with many overpriced services, getting a better deal on pay-TV isn't hard. Just call armed with better competitive offers and threaten to leave. I did it on-camera in this story

Walt Disney Offers Refunds for Baby Einstein DVDs

A group of lawyers threatened a class action lawsuit last year against Disney for deceptive practices since their Baby Einstein videos are heavily marketed as educational but resea

What Is a “Value-Added Tax,” Anyway?

Probably due to the fact that my monthly health insurance premiums rose dramatically this year, and also because I am about to take a state-mandated 5% pay cut, my ears really per

$80 for an HDMI Cable? Give Me a Break!

"You should never pay more than $10 for a standard six-foot HDMI cable" -CNET

Should There Be a "Fat Tax" on Junk Food?

Yes. Well, that's just my humble opinion, but I really don't see why this has so many people throwing their arms up in the air with shock. We tax liquor and cigarettes, neither of

Recession Journal V: Mind, The GAP

Some well known mainstays of Corporate America have decided not to wait for an official recovery but to sell the idea of it to you. Can we collectively as corporate citizens and co

Phishing Scams Continue to Plague Social Media Sites

Social Media networks like Facebook and Twitter are going through unprecedented growth. Unfortunately, this growth makes them a target for spammers and scammers. We break down a

Is a Prepaid Debit Card Really Cheaper and Better than a Bank Debit Card?

A few month ago, my husband received an unsolicited Visa Debit Card from NetSpend and I wrote about it here on Wise Bread. What I found interesting was that several commenters defe

Tips and Tricks for Dealing with a Recalcitrant HMO

Most of us will, at one time or another, have to struggle with our insurance company over payment approval, referral approval, or any one of a myriad of other common issues. Here a

Reject Variable Terms and Conditions

Ordinary business transactions used to be governed by long-standing laws and customs that had been developed to make them fair to both sides. Over the last fifty years or so--basic

Recession Journal Part IV: The Double-Dip Trip

So everybody is saying it may finally be over, this recession. And it may very well be but if you're thinking that a turnaround is here and your money is burning a hole in your poc

Are Most Businesses Going Green Just to Save Some Green?

I heard an interesting story the other day. A radio DJ was annoyed because when he went to pick up his boarding passes from the check in counter, he was handed them without any kin

How to Remove Yourself from Mailing Lists and Eliminate Junk Mail

My blood boils when I have a full mailbox, but not one item is personal in nature. Here is how to remove yourself from most mailing lists, eliminating unnecessary junk mail.

New Home Loan Rules Will Take Effect on July 30, 2009

If you are in the process of buying a new primary residence or second home, or considering refinancing a loan, a new set of federal consumer protection rules taking effect on July

Food, Inc. and the Origins of Your Food: 3 Reasons to Remain Ignorant (Plus Free Movie Screenings)

Food, Inc., a movie detailing the origins and production of food, came to theaters last month. While I'm glad I've become more knowledgeable about food, in light of Food, Inc.'s re