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Having a problem with a product or service can be frustrating. When you’re trying to resolve a problem with a company, the first step should be to discuss your concerns with a representative of the business. If a phone call or email doesn’t resolve the problem, consider writing a complaint letter.

If you’re a servicemember you know you’re part of a special group – those who have answered the call to serve our country. You also know that being in the military may mean long periods of time away from home – and your finances. Being away and mission-focused means you won’t be able to regularly check your accounts or credit report, so you may be at increased risk for fraud or identity theft. Today, we’re releasing our Fraud Alert Fact Sheet, which provides you with the information you need to know about getting protective alerts inserted into your credit reports when you’re away. Few servicemembers sign up for protective alerts Since October 2012, over 650 active-duty servicemembers have submitted complaints to the CFPB about their credit reports, and one in six of those complaints involved reports of identity theft or account misuse. However, out of those over 650 complaints, less than one percent reported putting an Active Duty Alert in place before leaving for active duty.

For nearly 10 years, a Washington couple, Peter and Carolyn Cook, claimed to help their clients navigate applications for state and federal need-based programs for necessary care — namely, Medicaid and veterans’ Aid and Attendance benefits. But Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson says they failed to do that and filed a lawsuit alleging the Cooks deceptively promised veterans they would provide attorneys to review the veterans’ applications and assets. The Cooks also did not have the Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation needed to advise and charge their clients regarding benefits. Only accredited agents or attorneys may charge veterans a fee to prepare such paperwork and only in certain circumstances. In fact, some veterans service organizations offer vets and spouses free help submitting applications.

“Hi, this is Rachel from Card Services calling about your credit card account. It appears that you are now eligible for a significantly lower interest rate on your account. However, this offer is about to expire, so please press 1 now to be transferred to a live representative who can assist you in securing your lower interest rate.” Rachel and her cohorts — Anne, Tiffany, Michael, Heather and others — from “Card Services” have been annoying people for years with their illegal robocalls. And the FTC is working hard to stop them — both bringing cases and hosting competitions to develop robocall-blocking technology. So, what’s the deal with these calls, and why won’t they stop? We’ve got answers to your top 3 questions.

Want to work from home? How about a job helping small businesses get loans or cash advances? For people recruited by Money Now Funding (aka Nationwide Lending, among other names), it seemed like a great opportunity. In reality, it was a con. People were left loaded with debt — sometimes tens of thousands of dollars of debt — and no income. Today the FTC announced that the companies behind the scheme have been shut down.

Nowadays, you can encounter a scam artist just about anywhere — online, over the phone and even at your door. Here are a few ruses that might come a’ knocking, and tips to avoid getting taken:

If the dog days of summer have you panting for an indoor workout, you might be thinking of joining a gym. But before you sign on the dotted line, here are a few tips to help you find a club that best fits your needs — and wallet.

It’s back to school time. That means forms, forms and more forms – the school directory, scholarships, sports teams, scouts, and the list goes on. As you get started, consider these tips for keeping your child’s personal information safe, from pre-school through college.

In order to attract unsuspecting investors and gain their trust, fraudsters may boast about credentials they do not have. They may fabricate, exaggerate, or hide facts about their backgrounds to portray themselves as successful professionals and to make you believe that the investments they offer are legitimate. Others may repeat these misrepresentations and contribute – perhaps unintentionally – to a fraudster’s false reputation of success and professional accomplishment.

If you're part of the millennial generation, your financial life is probably no walk down easy street. A new study by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, The Financial Capability of Young Adults—A Generational View, reveals that American millennials—those born between 1978 and 1994—show concern about their debt, engage in problematic financial behaviors and display low levels of financial literacy. The study examined financial attitudes, behaviors and knowledge of more than 6,700 millennials—and while most respondents were civilians, millennials make up the largest cohort within the armed forces. Survey results paint a troubling financial portrait of the millennial generation: