Author: Bob Sullivan

Venmo Adds New Feature and 3% Fee for ‘Refund Support’
Bob Sullivan on May 5, 2020
The service has quietly added a feature it’s calling the “Venmo Purchase Program.”

Here’s My Zoom Security Checklist
Bob Sullivan on April 7, 2020
You can make Zoom, the popular video conference software, a lot safer by following these steps.

What Can You Do with 60 Days? A Lot — Take the 2-Month Challenge
Bob Sullivan on April 2, 2020
Being stuck at home for two months is depressing — unless you have a goal. Then, your coronavirus quarantine could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Kids Studying at Home Now? Here Are 5 Survival Tips
Bob Sullivan on March 17, 2020
Parents trying to adjust to this new reality — many of whom also are trying to work remotely — might struggle at first.

Listen Carefully for Survivor Bias as You Hear Coronavirus Advice
Bob Sullivan on March 12, 2020
Most of us don’t appreciate the role of luck in our lives. If we did, we’d make better decisions — about money, work and viral outbreaks.

January Goals Fizzled? Try ‘Temptation Bundling’
Bob Sullivan on February 1, 2020
If you’re frustrated by the results you got in January, perhaps this is something you could try.

Smartphone Hijacking Hits the Big Time — Here’s How to Protect Yourself
Bob Sullivan on November 3, 2019
Criminals aren’t doing this for fun. They are doing it to steal money from you.

That Free Trial? Yeah, It Will Cost You
Bob Sullivan on November 2, 2019
And the more educated you are, the more likely you are to find yourself hit with surprise charges tied to “free” trials.

What’s in Your Wallet? A Lot Less Interest — Unless You Notice This 1 Word
Bob Sullivan on October 2, 2019
You don’t have to be a Capital One customer to learn from this maneuver.

Want Your Equifax Hack Settlement Money? There’s More Red Tape Now
Bob Sullivan on September 10, 2019
Equifax is making consumers jump through additional hoops to get compensated.

Zelle Hacker Steals $23,000 From Elderly Woman
Bob Sullivan on August 30, 2019
The victim’s bank — one of the biggest in America — initially would not refund the stolen funds to her.

Milk Still Expires, but Now — Mercifully — Your Passwords Won’t
Bob Sullivan on June 11, 2019
Microsoft is relaxing one of its password requirements. Here’s what that means for you.

The Side Income Trap, and the Rise of the ‘4-Income Household’
Bob Sullivan on June 10, 2019
The gig economy has a dark, dark side.

Why Is My Sleep App Recording Me at Night? Did I Consent to That?
Bob Sullivan on May 22, 2019
What happens when a smartphone app records you — and then charges you to hear your own recordings? Is that legal?

She Sued Equifax and Won
Bob Sullivan on April 26, 2019
Here’s why this woman in rural Vermont should be your new consumer hero.

Zelle Fraudsters Find New Victim Pool: Consumers Who Don’t Even Use Zelle
Bob Sullivan on April 23, 2019
Unfamiliar with Zelle? It doesn’t matter: Thieves could still use the payment app to steal money directly from your bank account.

Best Buy’s Next Act: Selling Big-Ticket Items for Twice the Price
Bob Sullivan on February 28, 2019
The electronics giant is launching a lease-to-buy program to capture customers with bad or no credit — but making those payments can be incredibly costly.

How Target Snooped on Shoppers, Changed Prices Based on Location
Bob Sullivan on February 16, 2019
A recent TV investigation suggests that Target effectively tracked shoppers to decide how much to charge them for items online. Here’s the take-away for every consumer.

Comcast Fee Has Jumped 900 Percent in 5 Years — for Free Channels
Bob Sullivan on January 22, 2019
Multiple traditional TV providers are charging customers for something they could get for free. Are you paying this fee every month?

Investing Pioneer Showed Us How Fees Rob Our Retirement Funds
Bob Sullivan on January 19, 2019
Vanguard Group founder and investor advocate John “Jack” Bogle died Wednesday at age 89. Here’s what his legacy means for your nest egg.
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