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How Do Money Orders Work? 06/21/2018 08:00pm • Money orders offer a safe alternative form of payment to a regular check. Think of it this way: Getting a money order is a little like using a check that has already cleared the bank. For example, if somebody gives you a money order worth $100, it's as good as cash once you deposit it at your bank DC Water warns customers of technician scam 06/21/2018 07:50am • WASHINGTON — A local utility company warns that a recent scam could be coming to your door if you live in the D.C. area. DC Water is warning customers that scammers claiming to represent the utility may be calling and asking for personal information or to send a technician to your home. Two How to fight robocalls, spam texts bombarding your phone 06/14/2018 10:11pm • Q: My cellphone is suddenly getting bombarded with spam calls. What can I do? Robocalls and spam text messages are among the top consumer complaint filed, according to the Federal Communications Commission, and it’s not likely to change anytime soon. The Federal Trade Commission is attemptin Tips for beach rentals through VRBO, Airbnb 06/13/2018 12:15am • EDITOR'S NOTE: The housing bubble before the recession drove prices up at the Delmarva beaches. Then prices sank. It's been nine years since the end of the recession. So have the beach communities recovered? In the series, Beach Real Estate Guide, WTOP's Colleen Kelleher brings you advice on buying, Everything You Need to Know About Alternative Mortgage Lenders 06/06/2018 08:00pm • The 21st century is an incredible time to be a homebuyer. In decades past, your mortgage options were likely limited to whatever your local bank was willing to offer you. But today's marketplace offers a refreshing array of options. With the rise of alternative lenders, homebuyers are able -- now m 10 Social Media Posts That Can Endanger Your Finances 05/23/2018 08:00pm • When oversharing costs you moneyPublishing the details of your personal life on social media may seem like a harmless pastime. But if you don't share wisely, your posts can have real financial consequences. "There's a tremendous connection between the kind of information you share on social media an Police: Scammers imitate priests via email to defraud area congregations 05/11/2018 08:56pm • WASHINGTON — The Archdiocese of Washington and of Arlington are working with investigators to track down a phishing scam. In it, police said the scammers pose as priests and pastors to try and defraud the faithful. The scam was detected in the D.C. region a month ago, and continues to pop up. 10 Financial Scams to Avoid in Retirement 05/08/2018 08:00pm • Those who have saved consistently are likely to enter retirement with a large nest egg. While your accumulated savings can provide a comfortable living, this strategy also has certain risks. Predators know that many retirees have spent years saving, and thieves set up specific schemes geared toward How to Freeze Your Credit 05/06/2018 08:00pm • It's an awful feeling -- that dread in the pit of your stomach and the rising panic when you discover that someone else has tapped into your credit. The damage of identity theft can be significant, particularly if left unchecked. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself. A credit freeze, Jury duty scam hits Loudoun Co. 04/20/2018 11:20am • WASHINGTON — Loudoun County residents should beware of a scam phone call from someone claiming to be a sheriff's deputy. Loudoun Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary M. Clemens said the individual is using the name of an actual Loudoun County Sheriff deputy and is calling residents asking them to pa Why Did Another Company Start Managing My Loan? 03/26/2018 08:00pm • It might come out of the blue: a letter or email alerting you that the lender you originally signed with to take out a loan is no longer managing your account. Instead, a different company is taking over, and you'll be working with the new guys now. Why is your servicer or loan holder breaking up wi Retirees Get New Medicare Cards 03/25/2018 08:00pm • The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will begin mailing out new Medicare cards beginning in April 2018. The new Medicare cards will include a unique Medicare number instead of the Social Security number listed on existing cards. The change is intended to prevent fraud and identity theft 5 Signs of an IRS Tax Scam 03/21/2018 08:00pm • The caller ID may say IRS, but you shouldn't assume it's a government agent you're speaking with on the phone. It could be a fraudster hoping to intimidate you into providing sensitive information or making a payment on a tax bill that doesn't exist. Common IRS scams include demanding Social Securit Phone scammer pretends to be with Prince George's Sheriff's Office 03/12/2018 01:22pm • WASHINGTON — Phone scammers are working the D.C. area yet again. This time they're telling would-be victims that they're with Maryland's Prince George's County Sheriff's Office. Apparently, the scam involves scaring people into paying them money via wire transaction or with gift cards. "Do n Penny Stocks: 5 Ways to Spot a Pump-and-Dump Scam 03/07/2018 07:00pm • If you're going to invest in penny stocks, you need to know how to spot a pump-and-dump scheme. This is the devious practice of insiders promoting a stock -- manipulating its price higher through short-term hype ("pump") -- and then selling out themselves at the top ("dump"), leaving those who boug