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'Nah, I'm good': Anti-Valentine's Day options abound 02/14/2024 03:13pm • For many, Feb. 14 is the chance to present someone special with gorgeous flowers, a romantic piece of jewelry and a card with well-chosen words, professing love — but it turns out there's a lot of "Anti-Valentines" options for those who aren't feeling it this year. The National Retail Federatio Economics of Valentine's Day and why we spend so much for our sweethearts 02/13/2024 05:42pm • This year, people will spend, on average, $185.81 on their special someone this Valentine's Day. Jadrian Wooten, an economics professor at Virginia Tech, said there is a lesson in why lovers spend so much on one another — it’s called “signaling.” Basically, it means someone thinks that DC consumers were bilked out of $13M in 2023. Here's how scammers made their money 02/09/2024 03:27pm • Scammers were busy in 2023 — and consumers, including those in the nation's capital, paid the price. "Consumers in D.C. reported losing more than $13 million," said Federal Trade Commission spokesman Jay Mansfield. "That reflects almost 6,300 reports of fraud." The FTC's Consumer Sentinel Ne 20 affordable Valentine's Day gift ideas for that special someone 02/08/2024 11:00am • The perfect Valentine's Day gift that doesn't send your bank account into cardiac arrest can be a challenge to pull off. But it can be done. An inexpensive gift doesn't mean you don't care about your significant other. You may simply be buried in bills right now, or you may be saving up for somet If you used 'buy now, pay later' programs over the holidays, the bill is probably due 01/23/2024 05:01pm • For those who used "buy now, pay later" programs to pay for holiday gift, later is now and the bill will soon be due. And if you don't pay on time, you could risk late fees, face collection agencies and court dates. "'Buy now pay later, it may feel kinder and gentler because it's these shorter Why buying gift cards may be 'perilous,' and how can you protect yourself 12/28/2023 02:49pm • Scammers are at it again — this time, they're targeting gift cards. Police say gift cards are being stolen from area stores. The scammer will copy the numbers and security codes, then reseal the gift cards and place them back on the shelves. When anyone then loads money onto that gift card, 2 men arrested in Fairfax Co. for 'fraud ring' involving altered gift cards 12/28/2023 01:14pm • Two men were arrested and charged for altering gift cards at two Target stores in Virginia as part of a "complex fraud ring," according to Fairfax County police. Police were contacted by the Target store in the Springfield Town Center about two men who they believed were altering gift cards in th How you can cash in on those unwanted gift cards 12/27/2023 08:15pm • Tis the season for returns and exchanges. Just when you thought those stocking stuffers would go to waste this holiday season, experts share details on how you can get the cash for those unwanted gift cards. "There are a number of websites that are out there that will take your gift card," Edgar Northern Va. nonprofit looking for Christmas Day volunteers to help pack gifts for soldiers 12/24/2023 03:30am • A Northern Virginia-based nonprofit will be wrapping packages on Christmas Day for U.S. service members deployed around the world during the "America’s Adopt-A-Soldier 13th Annual Christmas Day Give Back." While tens of thousands of service members are away from home, their support groups or lo Ziwe asks George Santos, 'What can we do to get you to go away?' 12/19/2023 07:30am • George Santos knows he's entertaining. The former New York congressman, who is indicted on 23 federal charges and was expelled from Congress earlier this month, isn't shying away from the spotlight — at least not while people are watching or willing to pay for it. Santos, who has allegedly b How to protect your purchases this holiday season with credit cards 12/15/2023 02:05pm • Last-minute shoppers will be flocking to D.C.-area stores this weekend looking for good deals. But experts recommend using credit cards instead of cash to buy those holiday gifts. "When you use a credit card, you automatically get incredibly strong consumer protections that you don't get when Sirens, Santa and lots of smiles as kids get to shop with a cop in Prince George's County 12/13/2023 03:17pm • There was a parade of police cars, many of them with sirens blaring, coming down Route 450 in Landover Hills, Maryland, and making a turn toward Walmart. Leading the way on a police motorcycle was the big guy, Santa, himself. Ten years ago, it was about 10 kids big, but this year, Prince Geor Even a little Christmas gift-induced credit card debt will be a Grinch 12/12/2023 02:43pm • We all want to buy presents for our loved ones, but take care when racking up credit card debt. The consequence of spending a little more money before Christmas might catch up with your credit score after New Year's. "It is probably more the norm than the exception that people take on additional Ho, ho, ho! Gift ideas for stargazers in 2023 12/08/2023 03:30pm • OK, so you have someone on your holiday gift list that loves the stars. What to do, what to do… Don’t despair, here’s my annual WTOP "Gift Ideas For Stargazers." Internet shopping and quick shipping can get that star-minded someone their gift fairly quickly with very little hassle -- even i FTC warns social media giveaways may be fake 12/07/2023 09:30pm • It's the holiday season and if you're shopping on social media, be careful with giveaways claiming you'll win a prize. The Federal Trade Commission says it's likely a scam and many people are becoming victims. One in four people who reported losing money to fraud since 2021 said it started when a