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Looking for some life hacks or advice about managing money? There’s no shortage of online influencers ready to help. But not all advice is good advice (or truthful). And in some cases, what they’re telling you might be more than a bad idea — it might be illegal.

If you’re taking stock of your finances, setting goals, and preparing for a fresh start in 2026, make protecting yourself against identity theft part of your 2026 planning. Why? Identity thieves can drain your bank account, ruin your credit, and even block access to your health benefits and tax refund. On the bright side, there are ways to protect yourself. Identity Theft Awareness Week (IDTAW) is a great opportunity to learn more about getting started.

Need better credit to do things like get a loan, buy a car, or rent an apartment? There are things you can do, but don’t believe a credit repair company that promises to remove accurate and up-to-date information.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosts free events like the National Veterans Golden Age Games to encourage older adults in the veteran community to get active for better health and wellness. But veterans are reporting finding websites or pages on social media that charge a fee to register for the games. These are fakes. Whether you’re looking to compete or just want to watch the games, here’s how to cross the finish line without running into a scam.

People in the military are known for looking out for one another. That’s why scammers set up camp outside military banks pretending to need help — just to get through the holidays. But take a tactical pause. This might be a scammer looking to use your phone to drain your bank accounts. Learn to spot and avoid this scam.

You never know where your big Hollywood break will come from. But it probably won’t start with an unexpected text message about a virtual casting call. That’s likely a scam. Learn the cues to avoid this type of phishing scam.

A work-from-home job promising easy money and a fancy title like “delivery operations specialist” or “quality control manager” might sound great. But if the offer says all you need to do is receive shipments, repackage them, and send them on to a new address, it’s a reshipping scam. Here’s what the “employer” leaves out of the job description.

Chances are, you’re probably already hearing from charities about Giving Tuesday. It’s a great time to support the work of charities around the country. Unfortunately, not everyone asking for money is a real charity. As the year comes to a close, you’ll likely get calls, texts, and emails asking for donations. Here’s how to make sure your money goes to real causes that matter to you instead of to a scammer. Confirm the charity is legit. Make sure...

Does it feel like the holidays come around faster and faster every year? If you’re looking to save time by avoiding the crowds and doing some holiday shopping online, know that scammers camp out online all year long. So if you’re planning to shop online for holiday gifts, how can you avoid accidentally running into a scam?

Online safety starts with protecting your kids’ devices from hackers and scammers. Here are some steps to keep kids safer while they’re on a phone, tablet, or laptop.