(BPT) - Imagine being woken by a phone call in the middle of the night. It’s your crying grandchild, who is asking for money because of an accident. Of course you want to help your loved one, so you do whatever you can in this emergency situation. You open your wallet without hesitation.

(StatePoint) Storm season is upon us again, bringing the potential for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and hurricanes through November. Since post-storm cleanup can strain bank accounts, some pre-storm preparation can save homeowners thousands of dollars in damage.

The Oro Valley Police Department would like to inform the public about a telephone scam involving the impersonation of a police officer.

Q: I received a call today from a male who identified himself as Andrew Allison with Microsoft Security. He told me that “my NT wires” were installed incorrectly and were causing errors across the internet and that he could talk me through the steps needed to correct the problem. Trying to find a way to report this to Microsoft... — Dennis

Ups and downs in the current market and recent corporate and banking scandals have prompted many people to seek ways to have more control over their retirement funds. Self-directed IRAs allow consumers to use their knowledge and expertise to invest in assets beyond stocks, bonds and mutual funds. While self-directed IRAs provide a new way to grow retirement savings, they may not be the best option for everyone.

If it looks fishy, it probably is. 

(NAPSI)—It’s a common occurrence these days—one of your friends recently had an online account hacked but doesn’t have a clue how it happened. We’ve all heard tech advice from a tech-savvy sister or the IT guy at work, but what’s the truth? When it comes to online security, it’s sometimes difficult to discern between perception and reality.

During the past few days, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has received multiple reports about attempted fraud where the caller tells the victim they are with the police.

(BPT) - Need a bike to start getting into shape? Looking for a new job? Interested in renting a condo for that long-desired trip?

(NAPSI)—How do you know if a telemarketing call is a scam? That friendly voice on the phone may belong to an honest salesperson who is just trying to make a living or a crook who wants to trick you out of your money. Three-quarters of the adults recently surveyed by Consumer Federation of America (CFA) said that they think it is hard for most consumers to tell the difference. And while nine in ten are concerned that telemarketing calls from companies they haven’t done business with before might be fraudulent, many do not know their basic telemarketing rights.

Spring travel can offer a much-needed cure for cabin fever. Whether you’re planning to head to the closest national park or sunny beach, or you’re trekking around the globe, there’s no question that technology has made traveling easier than ever before.

(StatePoint) Each year, thousands of trusting homeowners hire contractors for home repairs or renovation projects. But for many, dreams of a remodeled kitchen, new roof or updated patio are dashed by contractor fraud.

(StatePoint) Spring travel can offer a much-needed cure for cabin fever. Whether you’re planning to head to the closest national park or sunny beach, or you’re trekking around the globe, there’s no question that technology has made traveling easier than ever before.

Dave Safier certainly stirred a hornet’s nest with his essay defending the Democratic Party.  

(StatePoint) While we are all taught to use good manners when answering the telephone, not everyone who calls you necessarily has good intentions. 

Safier’s Explorer rant published Feb. 20, “Democrats create bold, visionary plans”, was party talking points wrapped in grand hyperbole. Dave confuses conservatives with Republicans and uses the terms interchangeably, even though they clearly are not equals. Liberals, both Democrat and Republican, have no trouble spending money that isn’t theirs. 

(BPT) - The last thing anyone wants is for his or her insurance rates to increase. Most policyholders would be surprised to know it’s the last thing their insurance company wants to happen, too. That's why most major carriers have a department of investigators dedicated to stopping one of the primary causes of rate hikes: insurance fraud. In fact, fraudulent insurance claims are the second most costly white-collar crime in America – to the tune of $40 billion annually.

The headlines would be comical if they weren’t so sad – and numerous.

(NAPSI)—Protecting your health is important to everyone. That’s why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants you to know that there are many dangerous products unlawfully marketed as “dietary supplements” that contain hidden drugs and chemicals. These products are sold for all sorts of conditions including weight loss, sexual enhancement, bodybuilding, arthritis and diabetes. They can contain hidden prescription ingredients at levels much higher than those found in approved drugs.

(BPT) - Tax season can be stressful, and each year people scramble to send in their tax returns, right down to the deadline. But for those who do a little preparation and avoid procrastinating, it can be significantly less tense. However, whether you’re a last-minute rusher or an ahead-of-the-game planner, you need to take steps to protect your identity during tax time, or you could be facing the greatest stress of all.

Job hunting can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, as you showcase your talents for potential employers in hopes of landing that position. While you’re certainly eager to impress, and want to show that you’ll go the extra mile for your future employer, those instincts can also lead you into trouble. With so much competition for jobs as the country crawls out of a recession, employment scams have emerged as a common way for criminals to take advantage of job-seekers’ enthusiasm.