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One of the nation’s largest debt collectors launched tens of thousands of lawsuits in Arizona since 2022, according to 12 News, even as it was issued millions of dollars in penalties for consumer violations. At least one person feels some cases might not be legitimate. Anne Munoz was among those targeted by Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA) — but the retired school bus driver challenged the debt collection giant in court and won. “When you come after me wrongfully, I’m going to make as much noise as possible, and that’s what I’ve done,” she said to the local broadcaster. “I’m not backing down.” And she wants to help others. Munoz, who spends her days taking care of her husband, who has Parkinson’s disease, at their homestead in Vernon, Arizona, told 12 News that she was sued by PRA in September over a debt she claims she didn’t owe — $2,753.75 for a computer she bought in 2011 but had already paid off. “It’s not my debt,” a confused Munoz said in a story published Jan. 8. “I don’t know if this has to do with fraud, credit fraud or what.” Munoz felt the company didn’t work to contact her before filing the lawsuit and there was insufficient evidence of the debt. Her case was dismissed by a judge on Jan. 15, reports 12 News. But she fears others may be caught up in similar situations who don’t know how to fight back. According to 12 News, PRA has filed more than 20,000 lawsuits in Arizona’s Maricopa County alone since 2022. Meanwhile, the company was ordered to pay over $24 million by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in 2023 for business practice violations.

By Danielle Antosz | 01.21.25

Economist Peter Schiff, renowned for predicting the financial crisis of 2008, supported Donald Trump during the election season. However, right before Trump moved back into the White House, Schiff sounded the alarm about his approach to a critical issue for America: trade. At a press conference in Mar-a-Lago earlier this month, Trump addressed trade deficits with Canada and Europe, announcing plans to impose substantial tariffs to address the imbalance. While he reportedly won’t introduce the 25% across-the-board tariffs he’d discussed in his first few days in office, Trump doesn’t appear to have reversed his plans either with plans to launch a study of the proposal. Schiff, the chief economist and global strategist at Euro Pacific Asset Management, strongly disagrees with the president. “Trump’s take on trade deficits is all wrong,” he wrote on Instagram, sharing a clip from The Peter Schiff Show podcast where he elaborated on his critique. “[Trump] said we have a huge trade deficit with Canada as if somehow that’s harming the United States — it’s actually helping the United States. It’s unfortunate that we’re not productive enough to get by without all those Canadian products,” Schiff explained. “Donald Trump specifically said we don’t need any Canadian cars, we don’t need any Canadian timber — of course we do! I mean, we build houses, we drive cars. I mean, if we didn’t have access to Canadian lumber or Canadian cars or any of the other things that we import from Canada — America imports a lot of stuff from Canada — what does Donald Trump think would happen to the price of all that stuff? It would go way up,” he argued. America imports a significant volume of goods from Canada — and it’s not limited to timber and cars. The list also includes crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas, and electricity, among others. Schiff also criticized Trump’s perspective on trade deficits with Europe, pointing out that America depends on European goods as well.

By Jing Pan | 01.21.25

TikTok is a huge part of American online culture, with millions of users consuming, posting and sharing content every day. But the app’s future in the U.S. is uncertain. If its parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t agree to a sale, TikTok faces a nationwide ban following the passage of a national security law in April. Potential buyers have stepped forward: The People’s Bid for TikTok, a group led by real estate billionaire Frank McCourt and backed by “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary. Their ambitious plan involves purchasing TikTok’s U.S. business while removing its algorithm and replacing it with American-made technology they claim prioritizes privacy and trust. “We believe we can preserve — and enhance — the TikTok experience by giving individuals and creators on the platform the value and control they deserve regarding who has access to their data and how it is used,” McCourt said in a news release. The group announced Jan. 9 it had made a formal offer to purchase the tech company’s U.S. operations. But there’s one problem: TikTok isn’t for sale.

By Victoria Vesovski | 01.20.25

You may have heard that Social Security is facing financial trouble because Congress and presidents raided the trust funds and wondered how such a thing could be allowed to happen. After all, more than 70 million Americans are supported by the crucial program. It’s also the biggest category of spending by the federal government, accounting for even more than national defense and health in FY 2025. But the idea that it is on the brink because it’s being “raided” is a myth, a myth so pervasive that the Committee For a Responsible Budget (CRFB) addressed it on its website. It may be widely believed because money from Social Security's trust funds has indeed been borrowed to fund other government initiatives. Here's what's really happening.

By Christy Bieber | 01.20.25

Erin Downs and Laura Hahn called their 84-year-old mother when they noticed that the Canton, Michigan woman had made three withdrawals in mid-December totalling $65,000. The first two withdrawals totaled $40,000 and the third was made on Dec. 17 for $25,000, Hahn told ABC 7 Detroit. Someone claiming to be a senior fraud officer at the elderly woman’s bank cold called her to initiate the withdrawals. “They’re very convincing,” Captain Joseph Bialy of the Canton Police Department told ABC 7. “They convinced the victim that there was an error in her account, and because of that error, she owed them money.” Canton police set up a sting operation and nabbed the fraudster before he could get away with the last $25,000. The scammer had a partner for the first two withdrawals, but the second man didn’t show up this time and remains at large. “My recommendation for people in our situation would be to really take as many preventative measures as you can even if you think your mom would never fall for that, or your parent would never fall for that,” Hahn said. Seniors are often targeted by fraudsters for their retirement savings. But a recent study from Binghamton University in New York found that studying financial literacy may help preserve seniors’ financial independence and prevent the elderly from falling for a scammer’s bait.

By William Koblensky Varela | 01.19.25

At 2 a.m. in mid-November 2021, 60-year-old John Gall of Cleveland Heights, Ohio was sleeping soundly on his couch. Suddenly, a GMC Yukon smashed through the walls of his house, sending insulation and debris flying. “Suddenly, the whole house explodes on both sides. Everything was just vaporized,” Gall told a Scene reporter in December of 2024. “Insulation was flying in the air. Mud all over. A ton of noise. There was a car in the kitchen — that’s how I woke up." And it's not the first time his home has been hit by a car. After three crashes and four different mayors, Gall is tired of what he sees as the city's failure to fix the issue. So, he's taking matters into his own hands. ABC 5 Cleveland shows his yard now filled with handpainted signs aimed at the city, with phrases including "Speed bump? Seriously? WTF?,” "A promise not kept is a lie" and "Hey! Mayor Seren! Why?" The city told ABC 5 it has taken measures to protect Gall's home. A speed table has been installed, temporary boulders sit on his lawn and a flashing sign now warns drivers of the upcoming T-bone intersection. But Gall insists it's not enough.

By Danielle Antosz | 01.19.25

Online scammers are nothing new but with the rise of AI-generated images, they’re becoming more sophisticated, especially regarding true romance. One such case involved a 53-year-old French interior designer who was tricked into paying €830,000 ($855,000) for someone posing as actor Brad Pitt for alleged cancer treatment. The scam began when the woman received a message on social media from an account claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother. The following day, another message arrived — this time from an account impersonating the actor himself. Admittedly, she was experiencing marital problems with her millionaire husband and sought comfort in what she believed to be an unexpected friendship with Pitt. The scammer sent her poems and affirmations, creating a genuine bond during a challenging time. “There are so few men who write you this kind of thing. I liked the man I was talking to. He knew how to talk to women, it was always very well done,” she said, originally in French, for a BFMTV interview. Although she admitted to having doubts about the account, the AI-generated photos and videos eased her suspicions. However, as the financial demands grew increasingly absurd, she finally reported the situation to authorities, prompting an investigation.

By Victoria Vesovski | 01.18.25

Lowell, Arizona, was once a prospering copper mining town located southeast of Bisbee. Today, it's famous for its historic charm and vintage cars that line the main thoroughfare. People from around the world visit Erie Street to take pictures next to the vintage vehicles and historic building facades, according to 12News. But that may soon change. Freeport-McMoRan, which owns the nearby mine and many of the buildings in Lowell, had been reluctant to renew the lease for the Bisbee Breakfast Club, the only restaurant on Erie Street. "It's going to be really heartbreaking to me," Mitzi Satterfield, general manager of the Bisbee Breakfast Club, told the local broadcaster in a story published Nov. 29. "I have put everything into this restaurant, and it's my heart and soul." Locals have been rallying around the eatery in an attempt to protect the town.

By Danielle Antosz | 01.17.25

TikTok has transformed from a social media app into a cultural and economic tool that redefined digital marketing and reshaped how creativity and commerce intersect online. But its fate in the United States is now hanging by a thread. On Jan. 10, the Supreme Court heard arguments over a proposed law that could force TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform or risk a nationwide ban. Federal officials argue that ByteDance’s Chinese ownership poses a national security threat. However, TikTok and its users see it differently, claiming the ban would violate First Amendment rights. And for many creators, including Cora Lakey, the stakes are high. Lakey left a six-figure job in talent acquisition and project management after TikTok gave her financial freedom that allowed her to pay off some of her student debt and has given her autonomy over how she spends her day to day. As it stands, unless ByteDance moves forward with a sale, the site will be banned as of January 19. In a recent TikTok, Lakey fired back at those who’ve called the platform’s users “out of touch” for their concerns over the Supreme Court decision. “Influencers aren’t out of touch for crying about the TikTok ban,” she said. “You’re out of touch for not realizing this is a real industry.”

By Victoria Vesovski | 01.16.25

With luck, people who wed the love of their life in their golden years have already achieved financial independence and don’t need to pool their money to save for retirement or buy a home. But if they have adult children from prior marriages, estate planning gets tricky. It’s even more complicated if you marry a senior who is wealthier than you. You might want to know if you'll inherit money when they die, but fear being labeled a gold digger by your spouse or their children. You and your partner can create a plan that is fair for everyone in your blended family, but the only way to do it is through an open conversation.

By Christy Bieber | 01.15.25