June 4, 2026
Businesses use a variety of marketing tactics to attract new customers and keep them. These tricks are designed to make you feel special, like you’re part of a group. The lure can be mighty powerful. In this episode, a conversation with digital media expert Mara Einstein about how promotional strategies and social media can be
Read More : 110 – Marketers Often Use Cult-Like Tactics»March 26, 2026
Fraud is on the rise. Scammers stole more than $12 billion in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The number of Americans who are victimized is also skyrocketing. Investment scams, romance scams, crypto scams, and imposter scams are driving much of the increase. Criminals around the globe have a powerful new tool to use
Read More : 105 – 10 Tips to Fight Fraud»December 18, 2025
America’s children have enormous spending power. Most have cash or access to their parents’ credit cards—and plenty of influence over what the family buys through their “pester power.” Marketers know this, which is why they spend billions of dollars a year targeting minors. Advertising can easily exploit a child’s limited ability to distinguish between entertainment
Read More : 99 – How Marketers Target & Sometimes Trick Kids»October 23, 2025
Despite lingering concerns about volatility, scams, and lax regulatory oversight, cryptocurrency has evolved from a digital curiosity into a mainstream financial asset. About 28% of U.S. adults now hold some form of digital currency. Major financial firms and banks are increasingly offering crypto to their clients, and a growing number of merchants now accept crypto
Read More : 95 – Cryptocurrency: Coins, Cons, & Chaos»October 9, 2025
Checkbook’s editors and researchers love to save you time and money, and they use a broad range of consumer-oriented websites and apps to do so. In this episode, we’ll highlight some of their favorites and why they find them to be valuable tools. More from Checkbook : Our Editors’ Favorite Websites and Apps Not a
Read More : 94 – Our Editors’ Favorite Websites & Apps»June 12, 2025
Criminals in the U.S. and around the globe are weaponizing artificial intelligence to create scams that are more convincing and more harmful than ever. As AI technology advances, it’s becoming difficult or nearly impossible for the average consumer to tell what’s real from what’s fake. AI is being used to create bogus celebrity endorsements, fake
Read More : 88 – Cyberthieves Weaponize AI to Perfect Online Scams»May 29, 2025
Shady contractors are going door-to-door pitching “free” solar energy systems that will eliminate costly electric bills. Most of these fraudsters do shoddy work; some take the money and run. By using high-pressure sales tactics, they get homeowners to sign high-interest contracts that leave them with massive debt. In this episode: The tricks door-to-door con artists
Read More : 87 – Don’t Get Burned by Solar Scammers»April 17, 2025
Whether it’s a complimentary dessert, an unexpected upgrade to a better hotel room, or you find a $20 bill in your coat pocket, we all like freebies. The staff at Checkbook sifted through member benefits for credit cards, warehouse clubs, health plans, and AAA. We discovered dozens of perks that are often overlooked. If you
Read More : 84 – Free Perks You Didn’t Know You Had»March 6, 2025
An increasing number of important decisions about your life are now made by computer algorithms and artificial intelligence. They do more than suggest movies or music you might like—they’re making lending decisions for banks and screening job applicants for employers. Consumer advocates acknowledge the benefits of AI, but they’re also concerned about the potential harm.
Read More : 81 – Algorithms Secretly Control Your Financial Fate»December 12, 2024
Great reviews are good for business, so some dishonest companies post fake reviews to boost their ratings. It’s a growing problem. This flood of deceptive reviews makes it challenging to get objective information about the products or services you plan to buy. In this episode: The ways companies can game the system, a new FTC
Read More : 76 – Fake Reviews Are Everywhere»
