Sitemap - 2016 - The Red Tape Chronicles

My 2016 in pictures

VIDEO: Police ask Amazon Echo to 'testify' against owner; why smart homes require smart laws, fast

A golf ball denial of service attack? Costco hits bogey as website topples over golf sales craze

The ultimate guide to understanding your credit score

With future of Obamacare in doubt, pay-with-your-own-pre-tax dollars model flourishes -- and confuses

VIDEO: Here's what millions of leaked passwords look like, and other scenes from inside The Glass Room

'Your money or your data!' - Most still have never heard of ransomware; while a majority of victims have paid up, IBM says

Can a robot help you fight parking tickets? Or your landlord? Or ... democratize justice? We're going to find out

Restless Project: Three-quarters of Americans say they aren't doing well -- why not?

The Restless Project: Trump's Turn: What is your monthly nut? What do you need to be 'doing well?'

The Restless Project: Trump's Turn -- Middle class budgets will tell the story

New toy dolls can spy on your kids (and let strangers hear their conversations), groups allege, ringing 'Internet of toys' alarm

Internet conspiracy spills over into real life; how rumors hurt real people, and why spreading them can break the law

There is a limit to free speech, and free Tweets -- spreading rumors and fake news can hurt real people, and could be a crime

Don't get rid of those old mag stripes just yet; gas stations get another 3 years for chip conversion

The ultimate 10-step guide to dealing with your credit report

Child care costs more than college and rent; why Restless America doesn't work for Americans

Scientists have evidence that hackers cost Hillary the election? Wrong. Our election process? Really, really wrong

For young women in Afghanistan, learning to code means learning to be free

Soon, half of us will be Uber 'drivers' -- why that's both good and bad

Republicans have repeatedly said they want to kill the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Here's their chance.

The real story from 2016: Not a Trump surge, but the disappearance of 10 million Obama supporters

VIDEO: Fake apps fool smartphone users, newest form of ID theft

What the Trump presidency means for your money, and what you should do now (nothing, probably)

Clinton's up 9 points! Wait, it's 1 point! Why are polls so erratic? Nobody answers the phone anymore (thanks, robocalls!)

Photos

When a tiny city of bloggers in Macedonia can fool Americans with fake news, it's time for serious soul searching

Here's the trivial trick used to 'hack' Clinton campaign emails; if Podesta can fall for it, you can too

Alert: That email from your boss might not be an email from your boss; it might cost your company millions

You can't spend cash at this bar (and this coffee shop...and...it's a trend); here's why

Wells Fargo blocks customer account when she refuses to reveal details about retirement savings; bank says it's just following the rules

Real or not, 'Stand with me at Standing Rock' viral post a lesson in scary local police surveillance tools

Whose data is it anyway? FCC issues rare pro-privacy ruling, ISPs itching for a court fight

The foreclosure crisis is over, for now; Obama's relief programs hurt more than they helped

Webcams involved in DDoS attack recalled; Chinese maker threatens legal action for 'totally untrue' accusations

VIDEO: Day-long attack of the zombie gadgets seems over, but what now?

'Smart' gadgets turned against us; Internet firm suffering third wave of attack as major sites remain unreliable

Code to Inspire graduation images

Fighting fine print with fine print: If Thrifty can charge me a $20 no-gas-receipt fee, why can't I charge Thrifty a $20 no-receipt fee?

As the local bank branch becomes an endangered species, are there hidden consequences?

Yes, using more social networks raises your risk of ID theft -- a lot, says ID Analytics.

CFPB: Navy federal Credit Union threatened soldiers with debts, cut off access to ATMs, veterans'benefits

Time out: Buffett paid the equivalent of $20 in federal taxes last year. Why he, and Trump, and most owners, are laughing about the tax bill

The robot-proof job opportunity of the 21st Century? 'Engineering bottleneck' expert (Part 2)

Comcast to pay record FCC fine after consumers complain about surprise charges for unwanted services, equipment

Since the debate didn't 'give economics to people,' I will; Robots are coming to take your jobs, soon

Judge: 'Reasonable suggestion of collusion' against Mastercard, Visa over chip cards - merchants win round 1 in court

Russians attacking U.S. election systems? Here's the real risk, from a man who fought Soviet electronic attacks during the Cold War

ARCHIVE -- In an instant, retirement savings vanish

Is there another Wells Fargo lurking? And why did the CFPB only get 28 complaints when there were a half-million fake credit cards issued?

Here's why 'Just pay down your debt' can be unhelpful, or even cruel, advice

Hate fake reviews, followers? This algorithm spots cheaters

Better advice on what to do about the huge Yahoo data leak

Yahoo confirms 500 million user accounts were compromised; this time, really, change your passwords

Wells Fargo victim consumers tried to sue, were thrown out of court -- and you would be too

'Stop and spit,' cameras seized, trumped up charges -- if you don't think above-the-law cops impact you, just wait

Alleged NYC bomber's family had filed bankruptcy, fought years-long legal battle with city over restaurant's late-night hours, discrimination claims

House flipping is back in a big way. Is that bad? (And where the most flips are)

Alert: Resurgence of infected Zip files a new (old) menace to your email inbox

Some Verizon customers say their data use (and fees!) has mysteriously soared recently

My turn to deal with a bogus DirecTV early termination fee, and why we need a 'Department of Leaving Scams'

Can she spend only $10 a day? Facing student loan mountain, she started 'Frugal Females Challenge'

As average new auto loan payment soars to $500/month, car sales market running out of gas

Massive cheating by thousands of Wells Fargo employees shows how corporations have turned us against each other

ITT Technical closes, leaving thousands of students stranded, and many questioning the value of for-profit schools

Millennials buying gift cards for ... themselves, as retailers race to mimic Starbucks digital dollars success

Starbucks labor strife spills onto Reddit as workers are told to 'smile' and their jobs are a 'privilege' by anonymous writer

Pricked for a pittance -- workers share intimate health details with employers, but 'wellness' doesn't work

Phantom debt collector comes after me, again (here's what those emails look like)

'We won't share your data' (until we do) -- Sports Authority, WhatsApp reminders that fine print trumps promises every time

FBI says hackers attacked state election computers; here's what they might be up to

Watch an elaborate job scam unfold (you won't believe the attention to detail)

As 'Obamacare' faces another big test, tell me what your experience has been

Small town with a big heart was left for dead; its survival story (with help from the Peace Corps!) is an inspiration

Submarine builder declares 'economic warfare' as plans for ship said to be hacked; now what?

In the housing market, it's young families vs. investors, and investors usually win. Here's their side of the story

I want my cell phone back! FCC starts Robocall Strike Force to attack 'scourge' of unwanted calls

Don't be fooled by Olympics on TV: Success takes years, not seconds. And so it is with money

Continued airline 'glitches' show systems are too fragile; now, Congress wants answers

Americans a *little* better at saving for emergencies, but women, minorities still financially fragile

People ask why I take my dog on road trips. Here's why.

Stop what you're doing and go on vacation, before it's too late! It's good for you (and your career)

Visa to ease liability pain on merchants, which should help speed conversion to credit card chip readers

#RoadTrip2016: Across the land, Americans don't want to talk about 'it' -- and that's a disaster for democracy

Nearly half of Americans are making this expensive credit card mistake

When I asked alleged phantom debt collector for comment, I was told I owe $935.76.

No, you don't need a special wallet to block signals coming out of your new chip credit cards. Not in the U.S., anyway

How much house do Americans really own? (And why D.C. homeowners have the most equity)

Take a vacation before it's too late! Seven reasons why you aren't getting anything done anyway

Can't find a starter home? Here's 25 places you should look (a unique list)

Cardinals' 'hacker' gets nearly four years in jail (for 'cheating' in baseball?) -- don't you be next

New book: Makers and Takers -- While Wall Street is making money for nothing, Main Street struggles for survival

The workplace discrimination epidemic that no one is talking about

New worries about ransomware -- attacking smartphones

Are your friends making you fat ... with debt?

The new 'option' that might help you score cheaper plane tickets (or at least some sanity)

It's not just millennials who aren't buying homes; it's (almost) everyone

Barstool MBA, Chapter 4: We are all in the loneliness business

Restless: Under $200k homes disappearing from U.S. market; one-third of starter homes turned into rentals now

My CFA awards dinner speech; good journalists give voice to the voiceless, but is journalism itself becoming voiceless?

Oh no, my portfolio! What should you do about Brexit? Go to the beach, probably

It's easier to lie and get a gun than lie and get a credit card; the real problem with background checks

Here's the hourly rate you need to afford a two-bedroom apartment in every state (Hint: it's a lot more than $7.25/hr...or $15/hr)

The link between domestic violence and mass murder that's been hidden in a desk drawer for too long

'No condos for them' -- young people skipping starter homes, holding out for dream homes, survey says

State official: Please stop falling for ransomware attacks -- you're costing the taxpayers big bucks

Betty Furness 'raised the integrity of journalism more than a few notches,' and I'm proud to receive an award named for her

Barstool MBA, Chapter 3: Everyone will steal from you (And that's ok)

The power of the well-timed free gift (hey, who doesn't like free beer!) -- Chapter 2 of Barstool MBA

An MLB pitcher lives in a van? An NFL player drives with Uber? Fun money lessons from pro athletes

Tinder swipes left on under-18 users (yes, 13-year-olds previously could use the site)

VIDEO: Invisible hacker 'condoms' appearing at checkout lines across country, skimming card data and PINs

The Barstool MBA: We begin with a murder. Really.

New rules aim to end payday loan ‘debt traps’, CFPB says

'A billion useless people' -- the end of work (and pay) is coming, but no one seems very concerned

Women seen as less risky than men with money; why is this a bad thing?

'Not a jerk for firing loyal workers' column causes outrage, offers lesson in age discrimination

Feeling old and stupid at work? Don't worry, so are the 25-year-olds -- why 'micro-generation gaps' are a concern

Seven questions that will help you sniff out a debt collector scam

When software steals: Domino's paycheck miscalculations systematically cheated workers, NY AG alleges

Surprise! Debt collectors can call friends, family, and co-workers. But...

ARCHIVE: Ahh...calm computing: The way out of information anxiety is forward, not backward, visionary said

When, exactly, was America great? Well, there was a time...

Apple, feds issue warning about flurry of iTunes gift card scams; one victim lost $31,000

Yes, indeed, title loan borrowers are at high risk of losing their cars, despite what you may have heard

Huge LinkedIn password leak much, much huger than originally thought; change those passwords NOW

A debt collector called: What now? A before, during and after explainer

What's the harm when a firm spreads misinformation about you? Supreme Court punts, #zipcodeharms trends

Moonlighting: The key to financial security in the digital age

'Internet cost recovery fee' soars 100 percent; and doesn't the monthly fee cover the cost of Internet, anyway?

Save $50K by age 30: Why this crucial retirement milestone matters, and how to get there

The day my bank, yet again, blocked me from my money for 'security' -- and why two-factor tools aren't ready for prime time

Is that college too expensive? There's a simple formula for that (HINT: It's about income, not cost)

Don't screw up the first payment, and 5 other ways to avoid student loan disasters

When your phone gets run over by a bus, here's how to get data out of it (a sad but true story)

Don't be fooled again: It's time to ignore national polls and focus on Florida, Ohio, etc.

The surprising list of cities where home sellers are making big money right now

Warning: Court rules that yes, a text sender could be responsible for a car accident caused by distracted recipient

Cord cutting is surprisingly rare; become a 'cord shaver' and 5 other ways to save if you still pay for TV

As car loans get bigger and longer, refinancing becomes big business. Does it make sense? (A: Maybe)

Why are hackers winning? Because phishing still works (in fact, it's getting 'better')

Meet the "new middle class" -- spending more, earning less, target market for payday loans

Eight ways to avoid car repair gotchas

Living at home, giving up dreams, working second jobs -- the real cost of student loan debt to young adults, society

I've joined the University of Georgia's journalism innovation program, and a friend has made a generous donation to help students there

Check those gas caps! The top 10 reasons your 'check engine' light goes on (no. 4 is good news; no. 2 is not)

Nerd bar fight! Which is better, leasing or buying a new car?

'Phantom discounts' -- lawsuit alleges that outlet mall prices are a steal...and not in a good way

Worried about the wrong thing: Hospital hacks show privacy, HIPAA might be dangerous to our health

Starbucks' plan to be your 'bank' comes into focus -- under a $1.4 billion pile of cash (Wal-Mart, too)

Change jobs every year? That's normal now

About the 'booth babe' ban, why diversity makes everyone better, and the unfinished work of encouraging women in tech

My small role in John Oliver's credit report piece, and the rest of the story (including help!)

Still haven't done your taxes? Take the weekend off. Taxes aren't due until April 18 this year

It's a great time to be a waiter! The truth about all those new jobs being created right now, and the future of American workers

Debt collectors say 'Pay up,' but won't say why...and other consumer gripes

Hate paying for bad money advice? This new rule should make you happy

Thinking about moving to an affordable city? Better do it quick. These U.S. cities are about to become unaffordable

What March Madness? Cinderella isn't helping you win your office pool, or your retirement

It's hospitals vs. hackers now, and there will be many losers -- this time, D.C. area chain hit by virus

Student loan debt 'relief' operation shut down by Feds

Pssst: Used cars could be a real bargain this year (thanks to....leasing?)

The Great Big List of U.S. cities where you can't afford to start a family (and dozens of cities where you can!)

Seven rookie investing mistakes, and how to avoid them (OK, 10 mistakes)

The 10 hottest markets for young home buyers -- and the coldest (sorry, Portland)

Car hacking worries FBI, too; and reports of keyless entry hacking won't go away

Just a fling? As auto leasing keeps setting records, Americans' love affairs with cars might be a casualty

Four out of five store chip card readers still aren't working. Why? A billion-dollar question

Safer credit cards (safe from kids' overspending, anyway) might be just an app away

VIDEO: On Paddy's Day, a story of Irish whiskey's near-death experience (and why it's spelled with a 'e')

DC Metro system shut down for a day over fire scare; America laughs, but it's time to end the joke

'Turbulent market environment' - P2P lending hits bump in the road. Have you tried it?

Drugs, gunpowder, blow, strippers: What 20-somethings say they are buying with Venmo (and what you should know about it)

Merchants say their fraud bill is up 20-fold since chip credit card switch; lawsuit alleges bank industry conspiracy

The 'Forbidding Airlines from Imposing Ridiculous Fees (FAIR) Act' -- every industry should have one

ARCHIVE: EXCLUSIVE: Your employer may share your salary, and Equifax might sell that data

One accident hikes auto insurance rates 44 percent on average, study finds

Don't buy a new car just yet: Some say there's trouble brewing in the car loan market

The threat from 'first-ever' Mac ransomware is low, but the potential is scary

Crime *does* pay -- hackers earn about $40 an hour. But black hats who turn white get a big raise

Can behavioral economics make people more honest? (and help cut your insurance rates)

They're baaaaack.....home equity loan activity surges; will houses become ATMs again?

'Monopoly money' is going away, but that's not the real scandal, says the woman who wrote the book on Monopoly

Verizon FIOS is a good deal, until you add it all up, then it's a confusing (bad?) deal

Keep Netflix 'free' -- Don't share your account with hackers (you might be)

Your cable bill is probably $100/month; here's why it should be closer to $35

Search for The Promised Land: In Kansas City, you can make it on your own

In Apple vs. FBI, the U.S. public sides with law enforcement

Yankees suddenly hate free agency? When it comes to fans' rights and price fixing, yup

What does the FBI think is on terrorist's iPhone, anyway? A fight, perhaps

Your smartphone is your new 'debit' card, and why that's probably safer

EXCLUSIVE: Hackers continue stealing from Starbucks app users, nearly a year later; linked credit, debit cards at risk

Hey Bernie, Hillary, Donald: It's the pay, stupid. Let's start talking about the real problem

Search for The Promised Land: Cincinnati, America's 'first American' city

Not bumbling around: Online dating use triples among young adults, Pew says

Renters pay higher auto insurance rates than homeowners, study shows

The BillFixers Files: He saved $1,200 on his cell phone bill; also, the NY Times says BillFixers are 'ethically ambiguous'

Want a $200-an-hour job? Take my Monthly Savings Challenge, with help from my friends at Grow

Some white borrowers might get settlement checks in an auto loan racial discrimination case. Here's why

No longer drowning? More homeowners floating above the waterline, finally

What would Hillary, Bernie mean for your money?

New chip credit cards lead to .... worse fraud?

The Promised Land: Columbus, America's largest affordable city

Where the candidates stand on Snowden and surveillance

Law enforcement investigating NFL ticket 'price floor' policy, other event ticket gotchas

The GOP and your money; the candidates' ideas, and what they might mean for the economy

Does your tax preparer actually know tax law?

First-time home buyers: the new elite?

America's most affordable cities; a map of their stories

I hope today isn't the *first* time you are telecommuting

Five money questions you should be able to answer at any time

Pittsburgh might be America's most affordable city...and the hippest?

Millennials are so over debit cards; here’s why

The Cynja, Vol. 18: Grant tumbles into an exploding firewall

Verizon grounds JetBlue -- how could that happen? Another plan B gone bad

ARCHIVE: Why Plan B often goes badly

'How are you ****ing us?' and other critical lessons from The Big Short; my new job with Acorns / Grow

'Sell everything!' Here's why you shouldn't panic (or, maybe, why some of you should)

10 absolutely critical lessons from the Cardinals-Astros hack that everyone should learn

Finally, consumers are using the one tool that really can prevent ID theft

Seven tips from the science of New Year's resolutions (just make it to Valentine's Day!)

New regular feature: The Billfixers Files -- When they were done, Comcast owed HIM money

Wait, 'go backsies' works at StubHub? Kobe fan finds out the hard when last game tix sale is canceled, price raised

If your new year's resolutions include losing weight, resolve to avoid getting ripped off, too

My year in pictures

Uber confirms problems with fare estimates on NYE, says they were 'harder to find' for NYC, Boston users

EXCLUSIVE: Driving blind? Uber's critical fare estimator tool nowhere to be found on New Year's Eve, some say

Predictions for 2016: Job-killing robots, crashing drones, mobile pay and Internet of Things chaos