MSN Article 2025

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
Roommates - Fb

My roommate sublet my room while I was on vacation, didn't tell me, and refuses to give me any of the money. Can I evict her?

Coming home from vacation should smell like stale luggage and sunscreen, not betrayal. Yet many renters return to find unfamiliar sheets on their bed, a stranger’s coffee mug in the sink, and a sickening realization: the room was rented out without permission.
January 23, 2026 Marlon Wright
Damaged Car - Fb

My new car that I was so excited for was damaged during shipping. The dealer says it's "not their problem." How do I fight back?

Discovering damage on a brand-new vehicle feels like a punch to the gut, especially after months of careful research, test drives, negotiations, and financial planning. The excitement of finally getting those keys transforms into disbelief when scratches or mechanical issues appear on what should be a pristine purchase. And when dealerships deflect responsibility by blaming transport companies, buyers often feel powerless and confused about their options. But the reality is that customers hold more leverage than most realize, and understanding the chain of responsibility makes all the difference in getting proper resolution.
January 23, 2026 Marlon Wright
Expectation versus reality

I just found out that my parents used my inheritance to pay off their own debt. Am I just out of luck?

The question often surfaces, usually after a bank statement or a lawyer’s letter that doesn’t say what you expected. Inheritance, in theory, feels like something solid and promised, even when no one ever said it out loud.
January 22, 2026 Marlon Wright
Can charges apply?

My sister forged my name on a car title so she could sell it. I found out when I got the tax bill. Can I have her charged?

When someone forges another person's name on legal documents like car titles, they've committed multiple criminal offenses that prosecutors take seriously. And yes, this is regardless of familial relationships. The stakes get higher when you consider that forgery, fraud, and potentially even identity theft charges could apply. Meanwhile, you're stuck with tax liability for a vehicle you don't own anymore, and the buyer might be an innocent victim who purchased what they believed was a legitimate vehicle. The legal scenario here is complex, messy, and unfortunately quite common in family disputes involving valuable property.
January 20, 2026 Marlon Wright
Withhold rent legally?

I found out my landlord is renting an illegal apartment. Can I stop paying rent without getting evicted?

A surprise like discovering your apartment isn’t legal hits hard. The hallway feels a little colder, the pipes seem louder, and suddenly every creak raises questions you never had before. Plenty of renters learn the truth only after a city inspector stops by or a neighbor casually mentions zoning rules. Once you know the place isn’t registered or doesn’t meet safety codes, the big question surfaces fast: Can you stop paying rent without getting kicked out? Renters across the country face this tense scenario, and understanding your legal footing matters more than ever.
January 21, 2026 Marlon Wright
Used car scam

I bought a used car with “a clean title.” A week later, the tow company said it was stolen. Am I just out $9,000?

You think you scored a solid deal on a used car. The seller hands over what looks like a clean title, you pay the amount, and you drive home feeling pretty accomplished. Then a tow truck shows up just to claim the vehicle is stolen, and takes it away while you stand there wondering what just happened. It is one of those moments that makes you replay every detail, from the price that seemed almost too good to the paperwork you barely glanced at because everything looked legitimate. Before you assume you have simply spent the money and left with nothing to show for it, it helps to understand what really happens.
January 19, 2026 Marlon Wright