February 27, 2026 - Mortgage rates have dropped below the 6 percent level, offering meaningful relief for homebuyers after more than two years of elevated borrowing costs which peaked above 8 percent. Freddie Mac reported this week that the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 5.98 percent, the first time it has dipped under 6 percent since 2022. The decline follows months of easing inflation data and lower Treasury yields, which directly influence mortgage pricing.

February 16, 2026 - As the 2026 tax filing season gets under way, federal and local officials are urging Americans to be on guard against a rising wave of tax-related scams designed to steal personal information and hard-earned refunds. With tax season in full swing, scammers are exploiting the rush and confusion many feel as they prepare returns, using increasingly deceptive tactics to trick people into revealing Social Security numbers, bank account details, and other sensitive data.

February 4, 2026 - California has some of the toughest privacy laws on the books. But that hasn't made it much easier for consumers who don't want to be tracked by advertisers or have their data sold. Having your name removed from the lists of data brokers has required substantial individual effort. In most cases you've had to write letters to each broker individually and then manually track the progress of having your data removed. But all of that is changing with the introduction of a new, state-run website that allows you to opt-out of having your information sold with a few simple clicks.

January 25, 2026 - Over the past couple of months we've run several unflattering stories on Google. This one isn't much different. It has become very apparent that when Google has access to your credit card information, that's a real problem. And if you try to get the money back by calling your bank and reporting fraudulent charges on your account, they will just cancel it.

January 18, 2026 - A new housing proposal backed by President Donald Trump would allow Americans to use their 401(k) retirement savings to help purchase a home without facing early withdrawal penalties. The plan, expected to be unveiled in Davos later this month, has already stirred debate among financial experts, real estate professionals, and policymakers.

January 14, 2025 - Artificial intelligence is reshaping the fight against identity fraud in the United States, but it's also fueling a disturbing rise in sophisticated scams. As AI tools become more powerful and accessible, both criminals and corporations are using them - but for very different ends.

January 12, 2026 - In much of the United States, gas prices have quietly slid back to levels not seen since before the pandemic. Nationally, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline is hovering around $2.80, and in some places, it's fallen even further.