MSN Article 2025

Worried woman using a phone

I joined a “get rich quick” investment group on Facebook. I sent $5,000 in crypto, and now the group’s gone. Is there any way to recover it?

Facebook investment scams follow a predictable pattern, and speed is the hook. A post appears on a quiet afternoon promising fast gains, framed by images of polished young professionals and screenshots showing balances climbing. Comments pile up quickly, filled with praise and short success stories that suggest momentum and safety. Those cues push aside hesitation, and just like that, interested members are pulled from public threads into private messages, then urged to send crypto, which settles within minutes and leaves no easy trail back. Once enough money arrives, the group shuts down without warning. The loss feels abrupt because the setup depends on silence after urgency. This cycle repeats daily, catching people who trust regulated systems and expect accountability where none exists.
February 6, 2026 Miles Brucker
Surprised woman holding a smartphone

I gave my sister my Netflix login. She racked up $200 in unauthorized subscriptions through my linked payment method. Can I make her pay it back?

The shock rarely comes from the amount alone. It comes from noticing a charge that feels unfamiliar and realizing it traces back to a shared login you barely thought about anymore. What once seemed like a harmless convenience suddenly carries financial weight. Yes, digital platforms make things easier, yet they rarely signal when convenience begins to blur responsibility in meaningful ways. Payment details also remain quietly attached, even as access spreads across people and devices over time. That disconnect catches many users off guard and creates confusion. It feels informal at first, but quickly becomes complicated when real money is involved. This article explains how shared accounts lead to unexpected charges, what options exist once they appear, and how clearer boundaries can prevent similar problems before trust turns into tension or lasting resentment.
February 4, 2026 Miles Brucker
Tesla - Fb

My husband insists we downgrade from our Tesla to a hybrid to “save money”. Are we being too frugal?

Smooth white paint, flush door handles, a charging cable coiled like a sleeping snake. A Tesla still carries a certain hum of modern confidence, even while parked. But honestly, rising insurance bills and the steady drip of subscription charges have a way of dulling that shine. Downgrading no longer signals failure; it signals discipline. The question lingers in the air like the smell of warm asphalt after a summer drive: is this a smart financial pivot or penny-pinching that misses the bigger picture? The answer sits at the intersection of math, lifestyle, and long-term value, and it deserves a closer look.
February 3, 2026 Marlon Wright
A Couple Sitting at the Table

My ex drained our joint account the day before I filed for divorce. The bank says it’s “not fraud”. Can I get it back?

Money sometimes makes noise when it leaves in a hurry. A phone vibrates. A balance refreshes. The number drops harder than expected. When a joint account is emptied the day before divorce papers are filed, shock mixes with disbelief. The timing feels intentional, even tactical. Now, if you're wondering how banks respond, they do so with steady voices and policy language, explaining that an authorized signer moving funds does not qualify as fraud. That answer lands like a door slamming shut. Still, the story does not end at the teller window. The path forward runs through family law, timing, and documentation. Knowing how those forces work together can change the outcome. Stay sharp, because hesitation costs more than pride here.
February 3, 2026 Jane O'Shea
Student debt

I’m 45 with $120K in student debt, no house, and a kid starting college next year. Is bankruptcy my only option?

Student debt weighs heavily on millions of Americans, often colliding with other major responsibilities. Housing costs rise, healthcare expenses creep upward, and children’s education looms closer each year. What once felt manageable slowly turns into a constant mental calculation, shaping decisions both large and small. By midlife, the pressure can feel especially sharp. Carrying roughly $120,000 in student loans without home equity leaves little room for error. Add a child preparing for college, and financial stress can further shift from abstract concern to daily anxiety. Savings also stall. Long-term plans feel delayed. Plus, stability seems just out of reach. Because of that strain, bankruptcy appears as a last resort. This article examines whether it truly provides relief, explains why student loans receive different legal treatment, and outlines realistic alternatives. The focus remains practical, offering clarity and direction rather than false hope or oversimplified answers.
February 2, 2026 Jane O'Shea
Child SSN misused

My brother used my toddler’s Social Security number to open credit cards. How do I even begin to fix this?

The first indication that something is wrong is rarely subtle. A letter arrives tied to a Social Security number that belongs to a child who cannot legally consent to credit. At that point, the issue is identity theft involving a minor, and the law treats it as such, regardless of family relationships. That distinction matters immediately, because credit systems respond to legal incapacity, not explanations. A toddler cannot enter a binding contract, which means every account opened using that number is invalid by definition. Recognizing this early sets the framework for correcting records rather than negotiating balances.
February 2, 2026 Marlon Wright
Pranks Backfired Badly

I used my credit card to fund a YouTube prank channel. Now I’m in debt and banned from the mall. What can I do?

Starting a YouTube channel feels exciting at first. The camera is ready, ideas are flowing, and every purchase seems like an investment in future success. A fake police uniform here, a giant inflatable dinosaur there, maybe some smoke bombs for dramatic effect. The credit card makes it all feel possible. Each swipe promises that the next video will be the one that goes viral and pays everything back. Except the views don't always match the spending, and suddenly there's a balance that wasn't part of the original plan. Add a mall security guard who didn't find the latest prank as funny as the viewers might have, and now there's both a financial problem and a location ban to navigate. But there are practical steps that can fix both situations. It just requires shifting from chaos to strategy, and that shift begins with addressing what's already happened before planning what comes next.
January 29, 2026 Marlon Wright
Relative credit fraud

My mom opened a credit card in my name “to help my credit”. I found out when debt collectors called. How do I fix this?

The call doesn’t come with a warning. A stranger asks for a payment due, uses your full name, and recites numbers you don’t recognize as yours. At first, you assume it’s a mistake. When you finally investigate, the truth surfaces: a credit card was opened in your name by your mother, framed as help, justified as a shortcut to building credit. What you’re actually facing is a financial identity crisis. Debt collectors don’t care about family context, and credit bureaus don’t record intentions. They record liability. If you do nothing, the system assumes consent. This moment matters because the longer the debt sits unresolved, the more control it takes over your financial future.
January 30, 2026 Marlon Wright
Where Debit Fails

Places You Should Absolutely Never Use Your Debit Card, According to Experts In Fraud Prevention

Using a debit card feels safe during ordinary errands, until a normal swipe sparks panic. Familiar places lower your guard while the balances freeze unexpectedly, and the shock isn’t just losing money, but realizing access can vanish instantly.
January 29, 2026 Marlon Wright
Money parked aimlessly

I have $900,000 in cash just sitting in my account. What do people like me do with “too much” liquidity?

Having $900,000 sitting in a bank account feels secure at first, but over time, it starts to feel strangely stagnant. The balance is big enough to matter but too idle to feel useful. Most people in this position eventually realize that the real risk is letting it sit still while prices climb and opportunities pass. That tension is usually what pushes them to ask a simple question: What do people with this kind of liquidity actually do to put their money to work without losing sleep? And that’s when the journey becomes less about chasing returns and more about building a clear, sensible structure.
January 29, 2026 Marlon Wright
Bride

My wedding venue went bankrupt two weeks before the event. They’re keeping our $8,000 deposit. Do I have any recourse?

Weddings already come with enough pressure. Budgets stretch, plans shift, and timelines feel tight even before problems appear. A venue bankruptcy close to the big day can feel devastating. Deposits vanish overnight while replacement options feel limited. Couples often learn the news late, after months of preparation and payment. Because venues require large deposits far in advance, financial loss hits quickly. Confusion follows just as fast. Legal language suddenly matters, even when emotions run high. This article explains why deposits often disappear during bankruptcies, outlines realistic options for recovering funds, and shows how couples can protect themselves before signing future contracts.
January 26, 2026 Miles Brucker
Work Harassment - FB

My supervisor screamed at me in front of customers and called it “coaching.” Can I record him for evidence?

Most people don’t expect to be yelled at while doing their job—especially not in front of customers. When a supervisor loses their temper in public and then labels the outburst as “coaching,” it can leave employees confused, embarrassed, and wondering what to do next.
January 26, 2026 Marlon Wright