The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many areas of society this year, but it hasn’t put an end to scammers trying to contact you through the telephone...

As leaves begin to fall and garden plants go to seed, homeowners may be thinking about hiring a lawn or landscape firm to clean up yards before winter. Better Business Bureau advises homeowners to check companies out carefully before hiring them, and ask for a contract that says what will be done and when...

One of the hardest and most important choices working parents can make is deciding who will care for their children while they’re at work. The COVID-19 pandemic complicates the choice, as young children are not eligible to be vaccinated against the virus yet and safety considerations may vary widely among facilities. Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) advises parents to take plenty of time to find safe, reliable child care that suits their children and schedules...

As more and more public places begin requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to enter, scammers are taking advantage of the news to offer phony “vaccine passports.” Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) cautions consumers to give careful scrutiny to any offers of digital proof of vaccination, and further warns that falsified proof of vaccination is both unethical and potentially unsafe...

During humanitarian crises like those that have emerged from the recent earthquake in Haiti and political instability in Afghanistan, many people are sympathetic to the victims and want to help them...

With school starting, now is a great time to consider what tutoring needs your child might have during the year ahead, whether it’s catching up in a subject area or preparing for a standardized test...

With home sales through the roof during the COVID-19 pandemic, home inspectors are in high demand, since their work is a critical step in the purchase process. Only a thorough, professional inspection of the home’s physical structure and mechanical condition, from roof to foundation, can uncover the issues you’ll need to watch for as a homeowner and potentially discuss with the seller...

Parents spend billions of dollars a year on their back-to-school and college shopping. Many retailers capitalize on the rush to get ready by running big back-to-school sales...

For college freshmen leaving home for the first time, summer can be a frenzied time of shopping for dorm room essentials, packing up clothes and saying goodbye to high school friends. In the midst of this hustle and bustle, parents need to make time to talk to their students about money and protecting themselves against identity theft while they’re on or off campus during the pandemic...

Unemployment, evictions, foreclosures: The economic uncertainties COVID-19 created for many families have countless consumers on the move. Many may be looking for storage units to facilitate these changes in living situation. It’s important to find a trustworthy storage facility, especially for prized possessions or antiques. Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises doing careful research before committing your items to a storage facility...

As COVID-19’s impact on daily life lessens, student loan borrowers whose repayments were paused due to COVID-19 may be considering their options for resuming payments on this potentially life-altering debt. This may lead some borrowers to look into debt consolidation. Better Business Bureau (BBB) cautions borrowers to research these options carefully and not give in to the temptation to seek a quick fix that could turn out to be a scam...

Reverse mortgages are widely advertised to seniors as a popular way to access the equity of their home, which may be attractive to consumers seeking a quick source for cash during tough financial times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeowners should fully understand all the costs, terms and conditions before applying for a reverse mortgage...

If you’re in the process of moving, you need to be careful when it comes to filling out a change of address request. Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to be aware of a scam where people are directed to websites that charge significantly more for a service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS)...

When the heat index reaches the 100s, the last thing anyone wants is for the air conditioning to stop working – least of all when the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has many consumers spending most of their time at home. But when the air conditioning does fail, you need a reliable contractor – and fast...

Taking a dip in a backyard pool is a great way to cool off on a hot day in the Midwest. If you don’t have one and you aren’t the do-it-yourself type, you may need to find a contractor to install your pool – and it’s important to do your homework before you take the plunge...

When spring storms cause roofs to spring a leak or the house needs a new roof altogether, a roofer is one of the most critical contractors you can hire -- which is why it’s important to do your due diligence when hiring a roofing contractor...

A busy travel season often presents opportunities for scammers to attempt the so-called “grandparent scam.” Receiving a frantic phone call may scare people into letting their guard down, but Better Business Bureau (BBB) encourages everyone to make sure they know signs of this scam as COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed and travel increases...

Moving is one of the most stressful tasks a person will ever undertake. Better Business Bureau (BBB) can reduce hassles by helping consumers find trusted movers and by providing tips to reduce the chance of errors or scams...

For years, spring cleaning has been a ritual for many Americans. It is a perfect time to declutter and organize...

With a vast variety of financial institutions at their fingertips, many consumers are choosing online-only banks or credit unions. Social distancing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has only heightened the appeal of an online-only bank. It is important for consumers to do thorough research and weigh the pros and cons before opening an account with any financial institution, especially one that operates only online...