Credit Industry Fighting Against Piggybacking

Consumers who used piggybacking to help improve their credit scores may soon be thwarted. “Piggybacking” involves a consumer with a non-existent or poor credit history being added to a credit account of someone with a good credit history. Being added to a credit card of someone with the “good” history …

Mannatech Bogus Health Claims?

20/20 did a hidden camera investigation for 3 months, going to Mannatech sales pitches around the country. The meetings start with disclaimers that the products don’t cure anything. Yet the meetings are full of testimonials from people who claim they were cured by Mannatech products. Claims are also made that …

Have You Heard of “Synthetic Identity Fraud”?

Bankrate.com has an excellent article about this little-known type of fraud called synthetic identity fraud. This is really interesting. In true identity fraud, an individual’s personal information is used without her or his knowledge or consent to open new credit account. In synthetic identity fraud, the credit lines opened are …

Iraq Reconstruction Fraud: Where Are Your Tax Dollars Going?

Whether you agree with the Iraq War or not, one thing is certain: There is fraud going on and your tax dollars are being spent. Of the approximately $350 billion (give or take) spent so far by the United States on the war and rebuilding effort, there have been plenty …

The Cost of Mortgage Fraud

The mortgage industry lost over $1 billion dollars to mortgage fraud last year, with the dollar losses doubling between 2004 and 2005. Contributing to the fraud problem are deceptive sellers, overtaxed buyers, builders who need to unload inventory, dishonest loan officers, and real estate brokers seeking commissions.

Checks Are No Longer “In the Mail” Under New Regulation

The Business Journal of Milwaukee By Phil Trewyn Federal legislation that goes into effect Oct. 28 and aims to streamline how banks clear checks means business owners will have to be more cognizant of having funds in place to cover checks, say bank executives. “This will be a rude awakening …