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November 30, 2023

52 – Shop Safely Online This Holiday Season

Host: Herb Weisbaum
John Breyault - A Vice President at the National Consumers League; Melissa Lanning Trumpower - Executive Director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust
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While convenient, online shopping can be risky. E-commerce creates all sorts of new opportunities for cyber criminals to do their dirty work, so you need to be careful. U.S. consumers reported losing $358 million to online scams last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

In this episode, we talk to John Breyault, a vice president at the National Consumers League, and Melissa Lanning Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, about how to spot the tricks con artists use to fool you and how you can protect yourself. Also, the smart way to pay when shopping online, and how to fight back against porch pirates.

Additional Resources:

⁠Tips for reducing your risk of fraud this holiday shopping season⁠

⁠BBB Scam Tracker⁠ is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Your reports warn others so they can avoid similar cons.

Fraud victims can report scams to the ⁠National Consumers League’s Fraud.org website⁠. This information is shared with a network of 100 law enforcement partners across the U.S. and Canada.

Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

Related Episodes

March 26, 2026

105 – 10 Tips to Fight Fraud

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Amy Nofziger – AARP Fraud Watch Network; John Breyault – Fraud.org

Fraud is on the rise. Scammers stole more than $12 billion in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The number of Americans who are victimized is also skyrocketing. Investment scams, romance scams, crypto scams, and imposter scams are driving much of the increase.

Criminals around the globe have a powerful new tool to use against you: artificial intelligence. AI can make their cons more polished and personal, so you need to be on guard more than ever.

In this episode, we’ll explain how you can fight back: 10 things you can do to reduce your chances of falling prey to a fraudster. And we have two expert fraud fighters taking part in this discussion.

More Info:

⁠Deep Fake Challenge 2025⁠

⁠AI PSA (Show this to Uncle Frank before he shares another fake video!)⁠

More from Checkbook:

⁠Fraud Prevention: Top 10 Ways to Protect Yourself ⁠

⁠Credit Cards Have Consumer Protection Superpowers

⁠Scam Alert: Fake Loan Approval Robocalls⁠

⁠Why It’s Safer to Use a Credit Card Than a Debit Card, Especially for Online Purchases⁠

⁠Virtual Credit Cards Help Fight Fraud⁠

⁠Don’t Ignore All Those Data Breach Notices Companies Send You⁠

Related Consumerpedia episodes:

#88 – ⁠Cyberthieves Weaponize AI to Perfect Online Scams⁠

#11 – ⁠Stop, Thief! How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft⁠

#5 – ⁠Cyber Crime: A Former Cyber Crook Explains How to Protect Yourself⁠

February 26, 2026

103 – Shady Home Improvement Financing

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor

A new furnace or air conditioner costs thousands of dollars. Many homeowners don’t have that much cash on hand, which can create a financial crisis. A loan may be an option, or the contractor may offer financing, usually through a third-party lender. But beware: A recent Consumers’ Checkbook investigation found that many contractors use these emergencies to push bad financing plans on their stressed-out customers.

In this episode, Checkbook’s Executive Editor Kevin Brasler explains how some homeowners are being tricked into leasing their HVAC equipment when they thought they were buying it.

More from Checkbook: Home Improvement Financing: Watch Out for Shady Deals

Related Consumerpedia Episodes:

#30 – HVAC: Finding Good Contractors & Choosing New Equipment

#44 – Should You Repair or Replace a Broken Appliance?

#87 – Don’t Get Burned by Solar Scammers

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

January 29, 2026

101 – Dealing with Debt #2

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Bruce McClary - National Foundation for Credit Counseling; Kathy Steinberg - The Harris Poll; Jeanine Kosinski - paid off $35,000 in credit card debt; Tiana Moore - paid of $21,000 in credit card debt

Americans are struggling to pay their bills and falling behind on their loan payments, fueling widespread financial stress, anxiety, and despair. Recent surveys show many feel they’ll never get ahead—and some have stopped worrying about debt altogether.

In this episode, we break down those survey results and share practical tips for regaining control of your finances. You’ll also meet two consumers who’d accumulated enormous credit card debt, realized they needed help with debt, and, with hard work and proper guidance, are now debt-free.

Additional Resources:

To find a nonprofit credit counseling agency, visit the ⁠National Foundation for Credit Counseling⁠ or call 800-388-2227.

Related Consumerpedia Episode:

25 – Dealing with Debt⁠

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

January 15, 2026

100 – Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge #2

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Lisa Dent - Afternoon Host, WGN Radio; Steve Bertrand - News Anchor (retired), WGN Radio

To celebrate our 100th episode, we’ve asked two veteran Chicago broadcasters to take Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge quiz. Lisa Dent is the popular afternoon host at WGN Radio. Steve Bertrand, her longtime news anchor, came out of retirement to challenge her. Play along with our celebrity contestants to test your consumer IQ. The questions are difficult!

You might also want to play the online version of Checkbook’s College of Knowledge. Topics include auto, food, and your money.

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

December 18, 2025

99 – How Marketers Target & Sometimes Trick Kids

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Bonnie Patten - Executive Director, Truth in Advertising (TINA.ORG); Dona Fraser - Senior Vice President, BBB National Programs

America’s children have enormous spending power. Most have cash or access to their parents’ credit cards—and plenty of influence over what the family buys through their “pester power.” Marketers know this, which is why they spend billions of dollars a year targeting minors.

Advertising can easily exploit a child’s limited ability to distinguish between entertainment and selling. AI and digital animation make it easier than ever for advertisers to cross the line. The growth of online marketing to children raises serious concerns about privacy and data collection.

In this episode, what’s being done to protect our children from the pervasive and persuasive marketing? What are the rules regarding marketing to minors, and is anyone enforcing them?  And most importantly, how parents can talk to their kids about advertising.

Additional Resources:

Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU)

BBB National Programs – Children’s Initiatives

TINA.org: Monetizing Minors

More from Checkbook:

Unsafe Toys: How to Spot the Hidden Risks That Could Harm Your Child

Are Your Kids’ Smart Toys Spying on Them?

Buying Toys on Overseas Websites Can Be Risky

Related Consumerpedia Episode: 20 – Whatever Happened to Truth in Advertising?

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

October 23, 2025

95 – Cryptocurrency: Coins, Cons, & Chaos

Host: Herb Weisbaum
Amanda Fisher - Policy Director and COO of Better Markets and former Chief of Staff at the SEC; Corey Frayer - Director of Investor Protection at the Consumer Federation of America and former senior advisor at the SEC

Despite lingering concerns about volatility, scams, and lax regulatory oversight, cryptocurrency has evolved from a digital curiosity into a mainstream financial asset. About 28% of U.S. adults now hold some form of digital currency. Major financial firms and banks are increasingly offering crypto to their clients, and a growing number of merchants now accept crypto payments.

Consumer advocates worry about the “gold rush” mentality that’s taking place as millions try to cash in on the boom, seemingly unconcerned about the potential bust.

In this episode: What’s crypto, how does it work, and why are people buying a currency that’s virtually unregulated? We’ll explain “meme coins” and “stable coins.” Plus, is crypto as secure as we’re led to believe? (Spoiler alert: It’s not!)

Additional Resources:
NerdWallet: Cryptocurrency Basics: Pros, Cons, and How It Works

Bankrate: About 78% of Americans say they’re uncomfortable investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Here’s why

Related Consumerpedia Episode: Episode 81: Algorithms Secretly Control Your Financial Fate

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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