Child identity theft is more common than most parents realize. Research shows that our kids could be 50 times more likely to have their identities stolen than we are. The fact is, kids’ pristine credit records can be far more valuable than yours or mine. Not only do they provide a … [Read more...]
Is There Arsenic in That Rice Cereal You’re Feeding Your Baby?
Generations of moms in my family have sworn by mixing a tablespoon of rice cereal into a baby’s bottle before bed. My mom, aunt and cousins swear it fills up their tummies and helps them sleep through the night. My pediatrician, on the other hand, swears it's a bad idea. He warns … [Read more...]
Are All ‘Compare At’ Prices Bogus?
CBS San Francisco ConsumerWatch Reporter Julie Watts put those 'compare at' prices to the test. Off-price retailers like T.J. Maxx admit they're just a theoretical "estimate," and Watts goes undercover to reveal that they're not very good estimators. Check out her report for … [Read more...]
Experian Child Credit Freeze Summary
UPDATE 2018: Experian Child Credit Freeze Warning: Parents Beware of Mailing Sensitive InfoWe recently discovered that Experian will no longer allow parents to use their secure online upload portal. Experian is now requiring that you mail in sensitive documents despite laws … [Read more...]
Equifax Child Credit Freeze Summary
The Equifax child credit freeze process is by far the most consumer-friendly of the three credit bureaus.But alas, the Equifax procedure for requesting a "security freeze on a protected consumer or minor" also presents a couple of significant security risks.Like TransUnion, … [Read more...]
TransUnion Child Credit Freeze Summary
While the TransUnion child credit freeze process is relatively easy, their standard procedure for implementing a "protected consumer freeze" (outlined here) presents a couple of significant security risks.By default, TransUnion asks that you mail the required documentation to a P.O. … [Read more...]
You Need My Social Security Number But You Won’t Give Me Your Employee ID?
By now, most people know that their Social Security number is the key to their identity, so they need to be very judicious about who they share it with. Most security experts agree you should even decline to give it to your doctor or your child's school unless it is absolutely … [Read more...]
How I Forced the Credit Bureaus to Freeze My Child’s Credit
When I first began covering credit freezes, I was shocked that the bureaus would not let me freeze my child’s credit.As I've mentioned in several blog posts and broadcast news stories, a credit freeze is widely believed to be the single best tool to prevent financial ID theft. It … [Read more...]
Are There Toxic Chemicals in Your Kids’ Sunscreen? Check Here!
So there I am, standing in front of the sunscreen aisle at a baby superstore with my 6-month old in the stroller, my dog-child in the basket underneath and my face buried in my iPhone. I must have been the picture of a "Basic" Bay Area Mom (insert eye roll here). No, I wasn't … [Read more...]
Apps That Drain Your Battery & Data
You may not realize it, but those apps you never use could be running in the background, draining your battery and your data. AVG Technology's latest quarterly analysis found weather apps, dating apps, gaming apps and social apps are the worst offenders. CBS ConsumerWatch Reporter … [Read more...]