Scams & Consumer Rights
The scams that actually take people's money, and the rights you already have against them — debt collectors, chargebacks, warranties and the agencies that will act on a complaint. No blame, no lectures, just the mechanics.
The Scams That Take the Most Money, and the Pause That Stops Them
People reported $15.9 billion in fraud losses to the FTC in 2025. A handful of categories account for most of it, and they all share the same five-part structure.
Your Rights When a Debt Collector Contacts You
The FDCPA and the CFPB's Regulation F set real limits on collection calls, and the validation notice starts a 30-day clock that most people never use.
Disputing a Credit Card Charge: Your Federal Rights vs. a Chargeback
Calling the issuer starts a network chargeback with no rules you can enforce. A written notice within 60 days starts something else entirely.
How to Actually Cut Down Robocalls (and What the Do Not Call Registry Won't Do)
The Registry is a list, not a filter. Here's what it covers, why spoofing survived STIR/SHAKEN, and which blocking tools are worth the trouble.
Warranty Rights: What You Have Before Anyone Hands You a Card
Implied warranties attach automatically, "warranty void if removed" stickers are often unenforceable, and no manufacturer can force you to use its repair shop.
Romance Scams: The Arc, the Money Mule Risk, and How to Help Someone Mid-Scam
Nearly 60% of reported romance scam losses in 2025 started on social media. The relationship follows a script, and so does the part where you're asked to move money.
Elder Financial Scams: How the Big-Loss Ones Actually Work
The scams that clear out retirement accounts don't exploit confusion. They exploit caution — a security alert, a fake investigator, and a phone call nobody hangs up.
What to Do After a Data Breach Notice, in Order
The response depends entirely on what leaked. Sort the notice into tiers, freeze if a Social Security number is involved, and know what the free monitoring is really worth.
Fake Check Scams: Why "The Funds Are Available" Means Nothing
Federal law makes banks release deposited funds quickly. It says nothing about whether the check is good, and the gap between those two facts is the whole scam.
Subscription Cancellation Rights After the Click-to-Cancel Rule Was Vacated
The FTC's 2024 rule never took effect. ROSCA still requires a simple way to stop the charges, and some state laws go considerably further.
Filing a CFPB Complaint: What It Does and What It Doesn't
It isn't a lawsuit and nobody decides who's right. What it is: a routed complaint with a tracking number, a 15-day response norm, and a public record.
Small Claims Court: Filing, Serving, and the Part About Collecting
Limits run from $3,000 to $25,000 depending on where you are. Winning is the straightforward half — collecting is a second procedure you run yourself.