More than 25 million Americans plan to buy a home this year, according to a new study from NerdWallet. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa spoke to an expert about ways you can set a realistic budget if you’re one of those looking to enter the housing
Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman breaks down what you need to know before buying a seat and putting your child inside.
Planning to travel or go to some events for spring break? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa breaks down ways you can save while on a trip or staycation.
After a woman received multiple letters from the state unemployment office addressed to different people, she wonders if her mail is tied to criminal activity.
Emergency room visits can mean unexpectedly large bills. Experts say patients can look line-by-line at bills to see if there's any room to negotiate or dispute charges.
According to a ChildCare Aware study, in 2021 the national average price of child care in the U.S. was more than $10,000 annually. Availability has also become an issue post-pandemic as childcare providers struggle to meet staffing needs. These factors both play a role when it comes to parents choosing the best option for their kids, with some turning to in-home daycares to fill in the gap. However, some home daycares are unlicensed with little or no regulation.
During tough economic times layoffs can happen unexpectedly. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert about how you can prepare yourself in the event of a layoff.
College acceptance season is here. Once your student gets into their chosen school, they’ll need to figure out a plan to pay for higher ed. Experts warn scammers are targeting teens with scholarship scams. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman shares tips on how to stay safe.
Online shopping can often lead to emailed receipts and invoices, but experts say scammers are now targeting consumers through those same messages. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackmanbreaks down how con artists are using fake invoices to steal your information.
Some insurance plans only cover midwives with particular training or with nursing degrees. One couple was shocked to receive a big bill after giving birth.
Americans are going further into to debt according to a new study from NerdWallet. The average US household owes more than $165K in debt, an increase of 8% over last year. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa shares expert tips to help pay down your debt.
By Joce Sterman, Emma Uber, Mitchell Tiedman, Mina Denny, Haley Ryan, Jacob Spudich and Lauren Winnefeld
Sports betting now is legal in 36 states and Washington, D.C. But laying down at a bet as a teenager is illegal in every state. InvestigateTV and its reporting partner, the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism at Indiana University, looked into the secretive world of underage gambling on offshore gaming sites and found there’s little public information about these operations. But this much is clear: Many of these sites do not have any protections in place to guarantee that the person betting is of legal age to do so or that winnings actually will be paid.
Imagine paying your debt and having it disappear from your credit report, only to see it resurrected years later haunting your credit score. It’s called “zombie debt”, and while it may sound like a term out of a horror film, Jesse James shares his personal story dealing with this issue that plagues consumers, even forcing some to take legal action against collection agencies for debts they’ve already paid.
If old debts are damaging your credit report there’s a chance you could be haunted by a financial phenomenon called Zombie Debt. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa finds out how you spot zombie debt and what you can do to protect your credit.
By Jill Riepenhoff, Lee Zurik and Conner Hendricks
More than two decades ago, the death of a toddler in a recalled portable crib prompted Congress to pass a new consumer protection law. Yet today, children still are dying in unsafe products, recalls remain largely ineffective at ridding homes of dangerous products, and the CPSC website that was supposed to help creates a false sense of security, an InvestigateTV analysis of federal records shows.
According to a new survey from SaveonEnergy, 69% percent of homeowners are concerned about their ability to meet their monthly energy costs. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa found out what you can do to offset your rising power bill in this Watching Your Wallet.
Balancing saving for your kids college fund with your own financial future can be a tough task. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks with NerdWallet about different ways to pay for higher education.
The housing market is still very difficult for first time homebuyers because of high interest rates and high prices. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks with an expert from NerdWallet on strategies for first time buyers.
By Jill Riepenhoff, Joce Sterman, Meredith Hemphill, Ryan Murphy, Maddie Maloy, Julia Pearl, Mackenzie Lionberger, Tatum Hanson, Ashton Hackman and Sammi Bilitz
Hazing on college campuses claims lives and injures and humiliates countless others, yet government officials fail to enact strong laws to curb the persistent problem.
An estimated 14 million people are exposed to employment scams every year according to the latest numbers from the BBB. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman examines scammer strategies and explains how you can protect yourself while you’re on the hunt for a new job.
Want to reboot your budget for the new year? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks with a wealth management planner about how to map your money moves.
In most cases, patients with mental disabilities must be evaluated by doctors and get approval from their legal guardians before a “Do Not Resuscitate” order is approved. InvestigateTV uncovered that doesn’t always happen. The result: when a patient has an emergency, medical staff are not allowed to intervene with potentially-life-saving treatments.
Even with an uncertain financial forecast for 2023 there are steps you can take to protect your money long-term, for yourself and future generations. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks to an expert about building generational wealth.
As tax season approaches, the IRS is warning of scams designed to steal your vital tax info. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman shares expert tips to protect your financial information.
If you’ve made a resolution for 2023, sticking to it is always the challenge. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa shares expert advice to help you stay on track.
Unemployment payments kept many Americans afloat during the pandemic, but con artists were also running scams to steal taxpayer dollars. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over two years nearly $900 billion in emergency assistance was paid out, but among that aid was billions of dollars lost to potential fraud. Consumer investigator Caresse Jackman investigates where the money went and what’s being done to protect your tax dollars in the future.
Quick fixes around the house are relatively inexpensive and could prevent significant damage from major accidents. While you can't eliminate every potential hazard in your home Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa highlights simple tasks you can tackle that could save money and keep your family safe.
The New Year is almost here and experts say it’s the time to set your financial plan. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa shares three top financial tips for 2023.
It’s a hacker tactic designed to trick you into letting con artists access your personal info. Consumer investigator Rachel DePompa talks to the FBI about “spear phishing” and how you can protect yourself.
Retirement might not be top of mind, but experts say now is the time to reevaluate your future savings. Consumer Investigator Rachel De Pompa shares expert advice on why just a little, could mean a lot.
Handbags, cellphones, even medicine were all part of the $3.3 billion worth of items seized by @CBP in 2021. Consumer investigator Caresse Jackman speaks with experts about the threat not only to U.S. commerce, but also a potential health and safety hazards.
Building wealth can change your life but getting started can seem overwhelming. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa shares three tips from a financial expert to get you on the right financial path.
While the cost of a used car prices is finally starting to drop they are still well above where they were a year ago. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa finds out what you should know if you are looking to sell sometime soon.
As the temperatures continue to drop it is never too early to prepare for winter heating bills. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa shares tips that could help you save some money this season.
Knocking out some last-minute online shopping? Experts warn you need to beware of scammers on the prowl. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman shares tips to keep your money safe this holiday season.
For the first time, the federal government has weighed in on the validity of bite mark evidence, a tool critics claim prosecutors have used to incarcerate innocent people for decades. A Georgia man on death row for more than 40 years could get a new trial because of a change in scientific understanding of bitemark analysis. Not everyone agrees he deserves it.
As online shopping picks up during the holidays experts urge consumers to protect themselves against porch pirates. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman gets advice you can use to protect your purchases.
Whether you’re looking for holiday deals or scrambling for a last-minute gift, ‘tis the season to online shop. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa explains why the FBI says stay away from debit and stick to your credit card for those online purchases.
Holiday shopping season is well underway and as you look for the perfect present one smart money move is purchasing refurbished gifts. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman gets an expert’s take on the best refurbished items and has advice to avoid scams.
Holiday shopping season is in full swing and experts say the best way to avoid spending stress is make a plan and stick to it. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa has your shopping and spending strategies.
If you’re struggling to overcome the financial stress of your debt reaching out for help could be the answer. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks to a woman who paid off $37,000 in just two years with the help of a nonprofit debt management company.
When a company learns a product it sells could be defective and dangerous, it has 24 hours to let the federal government’s Consumer Product Safety Commission know about it. But it could take months or years for the public to find out about the company’s possible concerns, if they even come to light at all. InvestigateTV has been battling CPSC and companies to disclose information about the products companies have sounded the alarm on – an alarm that remains relatively silent.
Holiday travelers are planning to spend on average more than $1,500 for flights and hotels, according to a new survey from NerdWallet. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert to find out ways you can cut travel costs this season.
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