That Free Gas Postcard in Your Mailbox Could Be a Scam
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY NETWORK on September 26, 2026
A fake $309.64 voucher promise can lead to $5 fees, unauthorized charges and recurring subscriptions that drain your account
A New Tax Break Gives Seniors up to $6,000 Back. Here’s Who Qualifies.
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on August 20, 2026
A new temporary tax deduction allows individuals aged 65 and older to deduct up to $6,000 in income on their 2025 federal returns, though income limits and other restrictions apply.
Parents Are Dreaming Big about Trump Accounts. Here’s the Reality
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY NETWORK on August 4, 2026
A $1,000 government seed deposit could grow to $243,000 by age 55 — or stall near $39,000, depending on family income and how long the money stays invested.
She Thought She Donated $50. A Tap-to-Pay Scam Took $1,000 Instead
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY NETWORK on July 27, 2026
AARP’s fraud chief says a stranger’s sob story and an unchecked tap-to-pay screen could cost you far more than you agreed to give.
IRS Raises Mileage Rate Midyear. Here’s Who Benefits in 2026
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY NETWORK on July 16, 2026
After a brutal gas-price spike, the IRS quietly bumped its business mileage rate mid-year for only the third time in decades.
TreasuryDirect Email Sparks Scam Fears as Alert Hits Savers
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY NETWORK on July 7, 2026
Treasury confirms a surprise ‘account hygiene’ email is legitimate, but here’s how to verify it safely before clicking anything.
401(k) Balances Drop in 2026. See How Your Savings Compare
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY NETWORK on June 1, 2026
Fidelity’s Q1 data puts the average 401(k) balance at $141,000 — down 4% — but nearly 1 in 5 savers still quietly increased their contributions.
Why More Homeowners Owe Capital Gains Tax When They Sell
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY NETWORK on May 31, 2026
The $250,000 capital gains exclusion for home sellers hasn’t changed since 1997, and 13 million homeowners may already be sitting on gains that exceed it.
AI Is Making Job Scams Harder to Spot — and More Expensive for Victims
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on May 21, 2026
Job scam losses soared to $79.5 million in 2025, nearly 10 times the 2021 total, as AI helps fraudsters craft eerily personal pitches at massive scale.
Facebook Scams Surged as $794M in Losses Spark Lawsuit Against Meta
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY NETWORK on May 6, 2026
FTC data shows consumers lost $794 million to Facebook scams in 2025 alone — and a major consumer watchdog just sued Meta to force accountability.
How Borrowers Can Beat High Interest Rates While the Fed Waits
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY NETWORK on May 4, 2026
With the Fed frozen at 3.5%–3.75% all year, borrowers who shop smart can still snag car loans at 5.3% and mortgages below 6%.
As Inflation Reignites, Should You Consider I Bonds?
Susan Tompor and USA TODAY on April 26, 2026
With consumer prices up 3.3% year-over-year and gas prices surging 18.9%, I Bonds are projected to hit a 4.26% annualized rate starting May 1 — and there’s still a brief window to act.
IRS Finalizes ‘No Tax on Tips’ Rules Days Before April 15
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on April 14, 2026
The final rules name more than 70 qualifying occupations — including gas pump attendants and visual artists — and set the exact income thresholds that determine whether tipped workers keep the full $25,000 deduction or lose it entirely.
That Tax Calculator Promising a Big Refund? The IRS Says Beware
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on April 7, 2026
The IRS is warning taxpayers that scammers have built fake online calculators designed to lure you in with inflated refund estimates — and steal your personal information.
Fake Recall Texts Are the Next Big Scam Hitting Shoppers
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on April 4, 2026
Scammers are impersonating Amazon, Costco, and Walmart with fake product recall alerts — and clicking the link can drain your bank account.
Americans Lost a Record $15.9 Billion to Scams in 2025, FTC Says
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on April 3, 2026
Fraud losses have surged nearly 430% since 2020 — and some victims are losing six figures or more from their retirement savings.
Scammers are Targeting Drivers with Fake Toll and Ticket Threats
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on March 24, 2026
Fake texts about unpaid tolls and parking tickets are flooding phones across the country. Here’s how to spot these scams and protect yourself.
How the No Tax on Overtime Deduction Really Works for 2025
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on March 17, 2026
The “No Tax on Overtime” deduction on 2025 returns sounds simple, but complex IRS rules mean only the overtime premium portion qualifies — and not every job is eligible. Here’s what you need to know before filing.
2026 Tax Refunds Are Up $351. Here’s What It Means for You
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on March 3, 2026
Early tax refund data shows average payouts are up $351 from last year, though that falls short of the White House’s projection of $1,000 increases due to new tax policies.
Romance Scams Are Skyrocketing as Losses Grow. Are You Safe?
Susan Tompor and Detroit Free Press on February 24, 2026
Romance scams are causing devastating financial losses for victims, with reported scams becoming increasingly sophisticated and organized by overseas fraud factories.
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