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Author: Christy Bieber

  • Scammers are getting creative in this 1 new tactic to swindle car sellers — and their ‘pushy’ approach is leaving some paying hundreds out of pocket even when they don’t fall for it

    When you think of used car scams, your mind probably goes to dishonest sellers rolling back the odometer or otherwise trying to trick hapless buyers into purchasing a lemon.

    One new scam takes a different twist, though: sellers being scammed by buyers — and not in the usual way, like with fake cashier’s checks or other phony payment methods.

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    Instead, scammers have come up with a much more creative way to swindle those looking to offload their used vehicles.

    Sean Pour with SellMax, which buys used and damaged cars, told 10 on Your Side that he has seen an uptick in the number of cases where supposed "buyers" intentionally damage vehicles to try to convince sellers to hand them over for less.

    Here’s how the scam works, along with tips on protecting yourself from falling victim.

    Scammers trick car sellers into thinking there’s a problem

    According to 10 on Your Side, the new car sale scam takes place when scammers pose as buyers and arrange to come see a car that’s listed for sale by a private owner.

    "They work in teams," Pour said. "One person will distract you by asking to see the car title or something about the vehicle, and the other person will quickly pour oil into the coolant reservoir and pour it around the engine of the car. It causes the car to smoke, and what this means is typically a blown head gasket or some other major issue with the car. They try to pressure people into selling the car at a lower price point."

    Unfortunately, there’s a serious risk sellers will end up falling for this — even those who don’t fall for it can still end up out of money.

    One victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, explained how this happened.

    "As soon as they pulled up, I could see three guys in the van. I told my wife immediately, shut the garage and don’t come outside,” he told 10 on Your Side. “I just knew I was not in a good situation."

    The victim said one of the scammers pulled out cash to "buy" the car, while the others poured the coolant on the engine before telling him there was a problem — and not taking no for an answer.

    "They’re very pushy, and I just was in a bad spot, so I’m like ‘cars not for sale, get out of here’ but they wouldn’t leave," he said. "They could have easily pushed someone into just going, ‘just take the car.’"

    While the victim didn’t fall for their scam, it still cost him $500 to repair the vehicle before he could sell it to someone else.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    How to avoid falling victim to a similar scam

    Unfortunately, if you’re selling a vehicle on your own, you’re probably going to have to meet with potential buyers to do it. That puts you at risk of scams like this one. And with ongoing vehicle expenses like car insurance already potentially increasing by 8% by the end of 2025, you can’t afford a bad deal.

    So, 10 on Your Side spoke to police for advice, and they advised meeting in public. Because many departments have designated public safety spaces for these types of meetups, you can reduce the likelihood of scammers even showing up. They may be less likely to try their tricks if you’re meeting in an area regularly patrolled by law enforcement.

    Police also suggest reporting the incident so law enforcement officials can investigate the scam and warn others.

    When you meet with a "buyer," it’s also a good idea to have someone else with you. They can watch the potential buyer at all times in case others try to distract you. If multiple people show up to "buy" a car and look suspicious, it’s also best to put an end to the transaction immediately rather than taking a chance and letting them near your vehicle.

    Selling through a marketplace that helps you vet potential buyers can also be helpful, as can asking buyers to see their ID before you let them near the car.

    Lastly, consider documenting all of the potential issues with your car and even getting a mechanic to check it over. That way, if something appears to go wrong after contact with a "buyer," you won’t be tricked by false reports of a problem.

    With the average used car priced at just over $25,000 as of May 2025 according to CarEdge, it’s worth protecting yourself if you’re trying to sell your vehicle.

    You can’t afford to lose hundreds or even thousands to a successful scam, and taking these steps will help ensure that doesn’t happen to you.

    What to read next

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    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • ‘We want them back desperately’: US border communities losing millions in sales tax revenue as Canadian shoppers avoid US travel due to Trump’s tariffs and ’51st state’ rhetoric

    There’s a long-standing tradition of Canadians crossing the border to shop at outlets and malls in the U.S.

    This is especially true in Erie and Niagara County, which are located near the border and feature top shopping destinations such as the Walden Galleria Mall and the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls.

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    But unfortunately, things have changed. Cars traveling across the border into the U.S. are down significantly in 2025, and counties like Erie and Niagara are paying the price through a drop in sales tax revenue.

    In February and March of 2025, 35,619 fewer cars crossed the Peace Bridge that connects Canada to Buffalo, NY, compared to the number of cars that crossed the bridge during the same months in 2024. During the same period, 29,537 fewer cars crossed the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls.

    Thanks to President Trump’s ongoing trade war with Canada, Canadians seem to have significantly reduced their interest in traveling to the U.S. and the financial ramifications are hard to ignore.

    Trump’s antics irk our neighbor to the north

    In February, Trump announced a 25% tariff on most goods imported from Canada and Mexico. And although Trump has since initiated a 90-day pause on most of his tariffs, those levied against Canada remain in place.

    In fact, Trump has reportedly floated the idea of increasing the automobile tariff against Canada, saying “they’re paying 25%, but that could go up in terms of cars.”

    In March, Trump made an exception for goods imported into the U.S. that are covered under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which Trump signed during his first term as president. However, a 25% tariff on imported goods from Canada and Mexico that aren’t covered under USMCA reportedly remains in effect.

    And then there’s Trump’s repeated mention of Canada becoming America’s 51st state, a not-so-subtle statement that many Canadians view as a threat. Trump also routinely referred to Canada’s former Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as “Governor Trudeau” when the latter was still in office.

    But it’s not just the backlash to Trump’s antics that’s had a negative effect on Canadian tourism in the U.S. In recent months, several foreigners — including a Canadian woman — have been detained while attempting to enter the United States.

    The Canadian government recently issued a warning to citizens, urging travelers to expect additional scrutiny when crossing the border while stating that American border officials have the authority to search electronic devices without justification.

    These electronic devices reportedly include laptops, tablets and mobile phones, and refusal could cause said devices to be seized, travel to be delayed or entry to be denied.

    With all of these factors in play, it’s not a surprise that fewer Canadians are willing to come over to the U.S. to do some casual shopping.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    How the loss of cross-border traffic is hurting local communities

    Unfortunately, many local border communities are suffering because of the decrease in Canadian customers.

    “We want them back desperately. They are truly missed,” Sylvia Virtuoso, Town of Niagara Supervisor, shared with 7 News WKBW. “Everybody’s budgets are impacted by the sales tax revenue… The outlet mall to the Town of Niagara is the heart of the town. For all of Niagara County, it provides the majority of sales tax revenue.”

    Sales tax revenue in Niagara County declined an estimated 1% in January and February, but Erie County has been hit even harder, with county executive Mark Poloncarz telling Bloomberg, “The county’s initial sales tax receipts have slipped 7% through mid-February, a $4.9 million reduction in revenue.”

    The effects of this could have far-reaching consequences, as Cheektowaga Supervisor Brian Nowak told 7 News WKBW the decline in revenue would impact “not just the town, but the county too, because you collect county taxes… For our highway department in particular, a lot of the revenue comes to that department from sales taxes, about 75 cents on the dollar.”

    It remains to be seen if the drop in Canadian car traffic over the border will continue, and a lot likely hinges on whether Trump and Canadian officials can come to an agreement on key trade issues. Without that, it may be difficult to restore the strong relationship that the U.S. once shared with its neighbor to the north.

    What to read next

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    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • ‘Can’t even afford to pick them’: Florida farmers are now plowing over perfectly good tomatoes as Trump tariff policies cause prices to plummet and workers to flee. How farmers are reacting

    ‘Can’t even afford to pick them’: Florida farmers are now plowing over perfectly good tomatoes as Trump tariff policies cause prices to plummet and workers to flee. How farmers are reacting

    Tony DiMare’s family owns 4,000 acres of tomato farms across Florida and California. Sadly, his Florida crops are not looking good — mowed over and left to rot, like tomato vines across the state.

    But it’s not growing conditions that are the problem. It’s economic ones.

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    DiMare told WSVN 7 Miami that President Donald Trump’s tariff and immigration policies are driving farmers to abandon their crops.

    In January, he warned that Trump’s crackdown on migrants would squeeze farmers, who rely on migrants to pick produce.

    “We have to secure our borders south and north, but you have to have a workforce in this country,” he told the Financial Post.

    Deportations devastate farm workforce

    About 50% of farm workers in the U.S. are undocumented migrants — including skilled supervisors and machine operators — according to Farmonaut, a farm technology company.

    As the Trump administration proceeds with mass deportations of undocumented migrants, there are far fewer pickers in the fields, and crops are left to go bad.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    One spoke to WSVN about fellow migrants leaving Florida each day. He spoke on condition of anonymity, concerned he might be deported himself

    "A lot of people are really afraid, and sometimes they come, sometimes they don’t come,” he said. “And the harvest is lost because it cannot be harvested.”

    The labor shortage also means Florida farmers have to pay more for labor. At the same time, they’re getting less money for their produce due to Trump’s tariff policies.

    Tariffs upset traditional supply chain

    From January through April, Trump’s threatened tariffs triggered Mexican suppliers to double or even triple tomato exports to the U.S. — before tariffs went into effect.

    The result? The U.S. market was flooded with Mexican tomatoes. Florida farmers saw the wholesale price of a box of tomatoes plummet from $16 per box to $3 or $4. DiMare said tomato farmers need around $10 or $11 per box to break even.

    “You can’t even afford to pick them right now,” said Heather Moehling, president of the Miami-Dade County Farm Bureau. “Between the cost of the labor and the inputs that goes in, it’s more cost-effective for the farmers to just plow them right now.”

    It’s not just Florida tomato growers feeling the pinch. Canada has imposed a 25% tariff on U.S. watermelons in retaliation for Trump’s tariffs on Canadian products. DiMare knows one watermelon grower who’s lost Canadian customers to Mexican watermelon suppliers as a result.

    Prepare for higher food costs

    Farmonaut notes that the impacts of tariffs and immigration policy on farmers will have a knock-on effect in grocery stores. If U.S. farmers don’t have enough workers to harvest crops, Americans will have to buy more imported produce, and pay more due to tariffs.

    The Food Policy Center at Hunter College of New York City warns that the resulting surge in food prices will drive inflation — “stressing household budgets across the nation, and particularly hurting families in areas with high food insecurity."

    While farmers have few options but to hope the political upheaval will end, consumers should prepare to mitigate those costs.

    One way to do that is to buy a membership in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organization. You’ll be supporting local farmers and getting local, less costly produce delivered to your door.

    In addition to shopping frugally by clipping coupons and shopping sales flyers deals, you can get creative in the kitchen. For example, you can limit food costs by planning weekly menus around seasonal and affordable foods.

    What to read next

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    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Federal Reserve raises the alarm over 1 key economic indicator — signals 12-year high in ‘consumer distress.’ Here’s the big problem crushing American finances (and how to solve it)

    Federal Reserve raises the alarm over 1 key economic indicator — signals 12-year high in ‘consumer distress.’ Here’s the big problem crushing American finances (and how to solve it)

    While investors worry about the markets, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia is raising the alarm about another economic indicator: credit-card payments.

    According to the central bank, more than one in 10 Americans (11.1%) paid the bare minimum monthly on their credit-card debt in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    That’s a sign of consumer distress, and it’s at a 12-year high.

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    Another distress signal? Credit-card accounts that are three months or more past due, which also hit a record high in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Read on to learn why so many Americans owe so much, what to do if you’re one of them and how to get out and stay out of debt.

    Why are so many Americans in credit card debt?

    It’s no surprise Americans are struggling with debt, given pandemic and post-pandemic inflation.

    The Federal Reserve aims to hold inflation at around 2% annually, but it hit 4.7% in 2021, soared to 8% in 2022; then dipped down to 4.1% in 2023, still double the target.

    Last year, it settled at 2.9% and in March 2025 it fell to 2.4%.

    Unfortunately, Americans’ wallets have not caught up. They’ve been using their credit cards to get by throughout this inflationary era.

    In fact, Debt.com’s 2025 credit card survey reveals that one in three Americans relies on credit cards to make ends meet. Nearly the same number have maxed out their cards in light of rising costs.

    President Trump’s tariffs will likely drive prices up further, which could exacerbate this troubling trend of people turning to cards to cover the basics.

    How to pay off credit-card debt

    If you have consumer debt, don’t skip payments on any of your credit-card balances. That could damage your credit score.

    Mark payment due dates on your calendar and set up reminders to double- or triple-check that the payments go through.

    With the average credit card interest rate coming in at 21.37% as of February 2025, credit card debt is really expensive. Minimum payments barely cover the interest.

    That’s why paying off your credit card balance every month is best, but if you can’t afford that, try to pay more than the minimum.

    To make headway on your debt:

    • Monitor your spending and create a detailed budget that prioritizes paying off debt.
    • Stop charging anything on your credit cards that you can’t pay off immediately.
    • Automate credit-card payments on payday so money goes directly to your creditors.
    • Each month, choose a creditor you want to send additional payments to based on how much you can afford.
    • Once you pay off that creditor’s debt, start sending additional payments to the next debt you want to pay off.
    • Keep going until you are completely debt-free.

    One option — the Snowball Method – is to focus on the debt with the lowest balance first. Finance expert Dave Ramsey recommends this approach. The idea is that you’ll stay more motivated if you score quick wins.

    You could also use the Debt Avalanche system, making additional payments on debt with the highest interest rates first. That means you’d prioritize credit cards over a line of credit, for example. The Debt Avalanche system ensures you’ll stop paying excessive interest sooner.

    You might also consider a debt consolidation loan to pay off your credit-card debt and then pay off the loan (at a lower interest rate) monthly.

    Once you’re debt-free, stay that way by applying the techniques you learned to pay down debt in a new way — building your financial security.

    Keep living on the careful budget you created when you were working on debt payoff — but channel the money you used to pay down debt monthly to build up an emergency fund instead.

    The fund should cover up to six months of living expenses. That will ensure you avoid using credit cards in the event of a layoff or other crisis. If you already have an emergency fund, direct the money toward investing.

    By budgeting, avoiding excessive use of credit cards and being careful about what you spend, you can invest in your future, not your creditors.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • ‘Don’t think they spank him hard enough’: Neighbors outraged Florida businessman continues to operate illegal dump on protected wetlands — despite agreeing to clean up the site last year

    ‘Don’t think they spank him hard enough’: Neighbors outraged Florida businessman continues to operate illegal dump on protected wetlands — despite agreeing to clean up the site last year

    Maximo Sanchez is a Florida business owner operating dumping sites where debris is piling up. While that description alone makes clear he’s running a dirty business, the reality is worse than it may seem. That’s because the land includes protected wetlands — and Sanchez has refused to clean up the mess despite signing an agreement to do so.

    According to an investigation by ABC Action News Tampa, Sabchez is facing fines and penalties but hasn’t cleaned up his act despite repeated warnings — and neighbors are concerned that officials aren’t being aggressive enough in enforcement.

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    “I just don’t think they spank him hard enough, to be honest with you,” Aaron Truman, a neighbor operating a company near one of Sanchez’s properties, told Action News.

    Here’s what happened and advice for anyone who may live near a rule violator.

    Unauthorized dumping next door

    Problems with Sanchez’s dumping grounds came to light more than a year ago, with Action News reporting in early 2024 that he was operating an unpermitted dump in an environmentally sensitive wetland.

    The news team’s cameras recorded a three-story-high mound of debris, mostly construction and demolition materials, at Snchez’s property on Hartford Street — and the pile was still growing, with trucks continuing to arrive at the site.

    "Any sort of material that would be put in a wetland that could degrade its environment would require an authorization from EPC point blank,” Michael Lynch, director of wetlands at Hillsborough County’s Environmental Protection Commission (EPC), told Action News at the time.

    “Currently, the site on Hartford Street has no authorization from EPC or any other regulatory body."

    Authorization is required because of the serious consequences that can come from dumping in wetlands.

    “We are in the state of Florida in a very delicate ecosystem. It has to be protected at all costs,” Walter Smith II, owner of an environmental engineering firm and Sierra Club member, told Action News last year.

    Sanchez did sign an agreement last year with the county to clean up the site, Action News reported, but hasn’t yet done so. The EPC has now alerted him that he missed the November 2024 deadline included in the agreement, and thus owes a fine of $7,900.

    This site isn’t the only cause for concern, either, as neighbors near another unpermitted dumping site run by Sanchez have also made complaints to officials.

    "Dust just continually pours over this building,” said Truman in a video he sent to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, shared with Action News.

    Truman told reporters that he has to service the air conditioners at his flooring business on Linebaugh Avenue every three months and regularly replace carpets because of the dust, but it doesn’t help much — and it could be more than just an issue of cleanliness.

    “Concrete has what you call silicates in it. Those silicates can get into the air and cause a real problem if the dust isn’t taken care of,” Smith said in a recent interview with Action News.

    "It’s very dangerous."

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    The state takes action — but is it enough?

    After Action News originally reported on the unmitigated wetland dump in 2024, officials did spring into action, filing civil lawsuits against Sanchez for both of the unpermitted dumping sites he’s running, alleging repeat offences. Officials are seeking fines of $15,000 daily if Sanchez doesn’t correct course.

    Sanchez has also been charged with a felony violation of litter laws in Florida, as well as misdemeanor violations of environmental protection rules by the Hillsborough CountyState Attorney’s Office, Action News confirmed.

    Still, Smith thinks more should have been done — and sooner.

    "I would have thought that they would have nipped this in the bud a long time ago. There appears to be a consistent pattern of defiance," Smith said, arguing that the delay may make it seem like officials aren’t as serious as they should be about enforcing the law.

    "It says I can get away with this for just a little while longer. And that’s not the type of message that needs to be had,”

    For his part, the news channel reports that Sanchez has pleaded not guilty to the criminal offenses and denied wrongdoing in the civil cases. He’s also listed the Hartford Street site for sale, with the listing stating the property owner is in the process of environmental cleanup of wetland areas.

    He has until July 1 to comply with the court’s new cleanup order. When he talked to the Action New reporters last year, he said "It’s all being dealt with. And as I said, I’m not giving any statement. You talk to my attorney.”

    How businesses can stay compliant — and how concerned citizens can report them if they don’t

    Sanchez may have gotten away with violating environmental rules for a while, but he’s been fined and penalties could get worse pending the outcome of the civil and criminal cases against him.

    Companies that don’t want to face these hassles should make sure they follow their state and local laws, including getting permits before dumping and making sure they are not performing any unauthorized operations in environmentally sensitive or protected areas.

    Citizens who spot rule violations can also do their part by reporting them so officials can take action. The process for doing this can vary by state, but usually involves:

    Reports can usually be submitted online — the EPA offers this form — and the sooner a witness takes action, the quicker officials can respond and help mitigate environmental damage in their communities.

    What to read next

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    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • America’s ‘sandwich generation’ is taking care of young kids, aging parents, themselves — but at a serious cost to their financial future. Here’s the math and how to adjust

    America’s ‘sandwich generation’ is taking care of young kids, aging parents, themselves — but at a serious cost to their financial future. Here’s the math and how to adjust

    They dreamed of retiring at 62, but now, the Gomezes are staring down another decade of work.

    The husband and wife are in their 50s and they told CBS News they’re drowning in financial obligations.

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    CBS News interviewed the couple in their 50s who were stretched thin. While the Gomezes had hoped to retire at 62, they were now considering working until at least 70. The reason their plans were derailed? they were supporting far more family members than expected.

    With elderly parents, a child, and their niece and nephew living in their home, the Gomezes faced overwhelming financial demands — especially after taking on student loans to help their daughter and niece afford college.

    They aren’t alone. The couple is part of the sandwich generation, a term for people who simultaneously care for their children and aging parents. This dual responsibility can make achieving financial goals nearly impossible, yet for many, it’s a situation they cannot escape

    What is the sandwich generation

    The sandwich generation refers to people who are stuck in the middle — providing for both aging parents and children. This group is growing as life expectancies increase and people have children later in life.

    According to Pew Research, 23% of all U.S. adults have at least one parent aged 65 or older while supporting either a child under 18 or an adult child financially. People in their 40s are the most likely to be part of the sandwich generation, with 54% supporting both a child and a living parent over 65.

    Both men and women can find themselves in this position, though adults with college degrees are slightly more likely to have obligations to multiple generations at once.

    Unfortunately, research from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that:

    • 23.5% of sandwich-generation caregivers reported substantial financial difficulties.
    • 44.1% reported significant emotional stress.
    • Members of this group reported higher levels of caregiver role overload.

    According to a survey by Wakefield Research and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical showed that 72% of sandwich-generation members have had to cut back on necessities — such as food or medical care — or have been forced to dip into their retirement or personal savings to cover expenses.

    For the Gomezes, this was exactly the case. They were struggling to contribute to their retirement accounts and would be saddled with paying off their daughter’s student loans until the husband turned 71. The impact on their retirement is profound.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    What to do if you’re a member of the sandwich generation

    If you are a member of the sandwich generation, you need to find ways to reduce both the financial and emotional strain — while still preparing for your own future so you don’t become a burden on your own kids one day.

    The best way to do that is to set financial boundaries. Figure out how much you need to save each month to reach your retirement target and prioritize that over everything except essential expenses. This may mean limiting or stopping contributions to your children’s college fund. While they can borrow for school, you cannot borrow for retirement.

    After deciding how much you can afford to spend on helping your family, have an open discussion about what you are and are not willing to do. If you are supporting adult children, consider setting a cutoff date for financial aid so they have time to plan accordingly.

    For aging parents, explore benefit programs like Medicaid or other assistance options to help ease the financial burden.

    Ultimately, being in the sandwich generation is difficult, but you are not alone. The important thing is to set limits on financial support so you can continue investing in your own future. And just as importantly, make sure you have emotional support so you don’t become burned out, overwhelmed and unable to care for yourself or your loved ones.

    What to read next

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    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Dreaming of a personal oasis … in metro Detroit? This $600K home on a private island is up for sale — but even the dazzling lake views might not justify the pricey reality of island life

    There are many things to consider when buying a new home. For example, a house’s price, size, location and future property value are important factors that could make or break your level of interest in a specific property.

    But privacy is also a factor that many homebuyers covet — and for those who fall into this camp, boy, do we have a listing for you!

    Don’t miss

    A two-story house in metro Detroit, Michigan recently went on the market, but this isn’t your typical house with a driveway and a white picket fence. In fact, this house doesn’t even have a driveway, nor is it located on a nice street with plenty of neighbours.

    Located in the middle of Dixie Lake, just five miles from Downtown Clarkston, is a 150-foot by 150-foot private island that could be yours for $600,000. The fully-furnished house features three bedrooms, one bathroom and stunning lake views from virtually every window.

    But before you imagine yourself relaxing by the water or fishing all day, it’s worth asking if the property is worth the price, while also considering the logistics of island life.

    Is owning an island worth the $600K price tag?

    Private island homes in the metro Detroit area are, perhaps unsurprisingly, few and far between. In fact, the listing agent for this island property said it was her first.

    As a result, determining whether the $600,000 price tag is appropriate can be tricky. The home’s listing price is on the high side, given that the median price of a property in Detroit is just $109,000, according to Realtor.com.

    Of course, anyone who purchases this property will be getting much more than just a plain-old house. At 150-feet by 150-feet, the island is a little more than half an acre in size, and living on an island provides a level of privacy that many other houses in the area just can’t offer.

    So while this property is unique, it’s clear that the cost is on the upper end of the scale, and the house itself is not exactly a mansion. Most of the cost of this property stems from its unique location in the middle of the water.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    Consider the logistics before buying an island home

    Even if the price tag doesn’t scare you off, you still need to consider the viability of living on an island.

    While Dixie Lake is less than an hour away from downtown Detroit, you’ll need to cross a body of water to get to and from the mainland. This may seem fine in the summer, but the cold winters can make this commute a lot tougher and much less enjoyable.

    According to a neighbor, the current owners have to use an airboat, or hovercraft, to access their home in the winter. In case you’re wondering, a new airboat can cost between $40,000 and $400,000, depending on how fancy you get, according to Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures.

    If you fancy privacy and are confident this island can provide it, this property may be worth the price tag, as well as any other necessary costs such as the airboat.

    However, you’ll need to be sure that you can cope with the financial and practical costs of living the island life — which will include having to boat into town for your groceries, medical appointments and anything else located on the mainland. Isolating yourself on a secluded island may not sound as fun once you take these factors into account.

    What to read next

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    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Americans are on track to file more fraudulent auto loan or lease reports this year than ever before — complaints are up 71% so far from 2024. Here’s how to protect yourself from scammers

    Americans are on track to file more fraudulent auto loan or lease reports this year than ever before — complaints are up 71% so far from 2024. Here’s how to protect yourself from scammers

    Steve Simon’s trouble began when he visited a local car dealer to inquire about buying a vehicle, and the transaction didn’t work out. He had given the dealer permission to run his credit. "I didn’t like the interest rate on it, so I denied it, left, went home," said the delivery truck driver.

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    Unfortunately, this wasn’t the end of the story, but the beginning of a nightmare. He told CBS New York that in the days following his visit to the dealer, he received repeated notices of hard inquiries being placed on his credit. Those can damage your score if you get too many.

    Worse still, weeks later, he received a letter from Ally Bank indicating he’d been denied the lease he’d co-applied for at the dealer with a woman named Michelle. "I don’t know no Michelle, no person like that, and if I’m not able to get a vehicle, I damn sure not gonna co-sign for someone else to get a vehicle," Simon said.

    Now, Simon is looking for answers, but the dealership can’t explain what happened. What is clear, though, is that Simon is a victim of identity theft — and he’s not the only one.

    Auto loan fraud is more common than you’d think

    Identity theft related to auto loans and leases occurs far more often than you might expect. In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission fielded 60,189 claims. This was a 16% increase compared with the prior year.

    Things aren’t looking any better this year either. FTC data reveals 21,446 of such auto lease or loan identity theft reports were filed in the first quarter of 2025 alone, up a whopping 71% from the same time last year. If this trend continues, 2025 will see a record number, according to CBS New York.

    Synthetic identities, which combine a real person’s information like their Social Security number or date of birth with false information, are a growing problem due to generative AI. At the end of last year, $3.3 billion in auto loans, bank credit cards, retail credit cards and unsecured personal loans were held by such fake identities, according to a TransUnion report.

    The kind of identity theft that Simon experienced can have damaging effects on a victim’s credit score, ability to borrow, and financial well-being.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    Lucas Gutterman, a consumer advocate at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, said that the one bright spot in Simon’s situation is that he got a denial letter on the loan.

    "If it had been accepted and someone who is a criminal had gotten access to that line of credit, that could cause some serious damage by affecting the credit score or just affecting the debts that this person owed,” he told CBS New York.

    Still, the repeated credit inquiries are a hassle — and one with real-world financial consequences. Simon explained the incident was "ruining my credit score."

    How can you protect yourself?

    To avoid becoming a victim of auto loan identity theft, it’s important to keep all your identifying information safe.

    Don’t share personal details like your Social Security number on the internet or on the phone. It could be a scammer pretending to be your bank or a government agency. If something seems off — even at a dealership — don’t provide your Social Security number, as you don’t want it misused to apply for credit you don’t want, like Simon experienced.

    Simon received notifications when his credit was checked. It’s a good idea for everyone to sign up for these kinds of notifications so they will know right away if something is wrong.

    You should also regularly review your credit reports. If you suspect someone may be trying to steal your identity, you can place a credit freeze on your credit reports. You would have to contact each of the three credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — to do this.

    By taking these steps, consumers can reduce the chance of becoming a victim even with auto loan fraud on the rise — and they can avoid the hassle and potential damage to their credit that goes along with it.

    Gutterman, and other consumer advocates, also suggest reporting any suspected fraud both to the Federal Trade Commission and local police so the scam can be properly documented and investigated — and to raise awareness to potentially help others from becoming victims as well.

    What to read next

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    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • I put away money every month to give to my child when they turn 18. I opened a CD account with two years’ worth, but is there a better way to grow this money?

    I put away money every month to give to my child when they turn 18. I opened a CD account with two years’ worth, but is there a better way to grow this money?

    Many kids struggle to get started financially when they become legal adults, so if you’re a parent putting away money to give to your child when they turn 18, you’re already setting them up for success. However, it’s also smart to look into ways to grow this money so you can give your kids the best possible financial head-start.

    Don’t miss

    If you’ve invested in certificates of deposit (CDs), you’ve already taken a smart step by looking beyond just a savings account.

    CDs typically, although not always, provide higher yields than even high-yield savings accounts. While the interest rate is locked in for the duration of the CD term, and you can’t withdraw the funds during the term without a penalty, you have several years before you need to give the money to your son.

    However, while CDs are a solid choice in the right circumstances, other investments offer more growth potential if you have a long time horizon. Here are a few things to consider to maximize the funds you can give your child once they reach adulthood.

    Options for investing

    If you are saving for college for your child, the best place for the money would likely be a 529 plan, as these tax-advantaged accounts are earmarked for education.

    Your funds grow tax-free, you don’t have to pay taxes on withdrawals as long as they’re for qualifying expenses and the majority of states offer tax deductions or tax credits for contributions.

    However, if you already have a 529 and this is money meant for other things, then a brokerage account could be a good place for it.

    One option is to open a custodial brokerage account, which has no income or contribution limits and withdrawals can be made at any time without penalties as long as the money is used for the benefit of the child.

    You’ll be in control of the investments now, and, depending on your state, the funds can be transferred to your child between the ages of 18 and 25. Friends and family can also contribute, and a portion of the earnings may be exempt from federal tax.

    Once you’ve opened the custodial account, you’ll have access to a wide range of investment options, such as individual stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds and bonds.

    For many investors, a broad market index fund will be the best option, as it offers low fees and instant diversification. For example, an S&P 500 ETF tracks the performance of the 500 largest U.S. companies and is widely considered to reflect the performance of the market as a whole.

    You can set up automatic investments into the fund each month as you contribute, and the growth will be effortless.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    Of course, there is some risk when investing, and over time, your investment will rise and fall. However, because you won’t need this money for several years, you have the time to ride out fluctuations in the market and historically the market has always recovered and reached new heights.

    The S&P has produced an average annual return of around 10% since its inception in 1957, so you should earn more than you would in a CD, and much more than you’d earn if you just kept the money in a regular savings account.

    Of course, it’s critical that you review your investment objectives at least annually and rebalance your portfolio if your risk tolerance changes. And you might not want to invest the entire portfolio in equities.

    You could also choose a target-date fund, with the year your child turns 18 set as the target date. Target-date funds are usually used for retirement investing, as they automatically rebalance your investments based on the timeline when you’ll need the money. Unfortunately, you’d likely pay higher fees with this approach.

    Contribute toward their retirement

    You also have another option if you’re willing to think outside the box.

    If your child starts earning as a teenager, you could contribute to a custodial Roth IRA for Kids for them up to the amount they earn or the annual limit ($7,000 for those under 50), whichever is lower.

    You’re only allowed to contribute earned income to a Roth IRA. Still, Roth IRAs allow the money to grow tax-free. Contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn at any time tax-free and penalty-free as long they benefit the child.

    If you manage to grow the account to $10,000 by your child’s 18th birthday, that would turn into over $1 million by their retirement age of 67 at a 10% average annual ROI — even if they never contributed another dime.

    Setting your child up for a future as a multi-millionaire may be an even more valuable gift than just putting aside a little bit each month and handing them a lump sum at 18.

    Of course, if you have enough money, you could do both, putting money into both a brokerage account and a Roth IRA so you can help them both start his life and enter their later years in a great financial position.

    What to read next

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    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • ‘A really serious problem’: Philadelphia woman’s life was turned upside down for months after Social Security declared her dead — and she’s not the only one. What to do if it happens to you

    ‘A really serious problem’: Philadelphia woman’s life was turned upside down for months after Social Security declared her dead — and she’s not the only one. What to do if it happens to you

    Renee Williams was very much alive and living in West Philadelphia when she discovered a serious problem. Her bank accounts, health insurance and retirement benefits had all been cut off.

    The reason? She’d been placed in the "Death Master File" maintained by the Social Security Administration.

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    Williams has spent more than six months trying to ensure everything is restored and lives in fear she’ll lose it all again due to a clerical error.

    "I go to sleep at night and think about if they’re going to cut me off again, not knowing day-to-day what’s going to happen to my benefits," Williams told CBS News Philadelphia.

    It’s a reasonable concern. Her benefit payments are still inconsistent, credit and banking issues remain and the whole experience has been “a pain in the behind.” Worse still, she’s not the only American in this situation.

    Sadly, such problems may only get worse as the Trump administration culls government jobs and overhauls agencies — with the Social Security Administration (SSA) a top target.

    In April, an estimated 2,500 SSA workers accepted buyouts as part of the government’s efforts to eliminate 7,000 jobs in the agency, AARP reports.

    How many Americans are wrongfully declared dead?

    According to the Social Security Administration, less than 1% of the three million deaths the SSA records annually are incorrect. That works out to about 10,000 people a year whom the SSA deems dead, but who are actually alive. That’s not good.

    But Elon Musk has inadvertently made the problem worse. Ironically, that’s because he’s more concerned about benefits going out to people who are dead, claiming rampant fraud.

    Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

    That’s one reason he overhauled the Social Security Administration database as part of the Department of Government Efficiency DOGE — to eliminate such errors.

    Unfortunately, as the Daily Beast reports, that overhaul is now cutting off benefits to a growing number of people who, like Williams, are alive and well but who are declared dead.

    According to ABC News, experts believe Musk may have misread the records by reading the wrong databases.

    Rennie Glasgow, a Social Security claims technical analyst who has worked in the Social Security Administration’s Schenectady field office for 15 years, told the Daily Beast that 4 million people have been marked dead on the database as a result of the DOGE overhaul — even though many are alive.

    “We have people who did not receive benefits come in every day with their ID and say, ‘I’m not dead, I’m alive!’” he said, noting it can take three to four days to “resurrect” them.

    "When they mark someone dead on the Social Security record, it stops their life,” Glasgow said. “It stops their car payments, it stops their credit, it stops their ability to do anything.

    Class-action lawsuit in the works

    One Philadelphia consumer protection attorney, Jim Francis, is helping these victims fight back.

    "These are all people who are going about their normal lives, and all of the sudden, they lose access to all of their benefits, their pension, their medical insurance and they become financially paralyzed," Jim Francis told CBS News.

    Francis is representing a Baltimore family in Baltimore that is trying to initiate a class action against Social Security after their relative, Joyce Evans, was improperly reported dead in 2023.

    The family claims the mistake caused financial and health problems, leading Joyce Evans to actually die months after the error occurred.

    "It’s a really serious problem and in the world of data being misreported, this is almost as bad as it gets, if not the worst,” Francis said.

    What to do if you’re wrongfully declared dead

    If you have been improperly marked as being deceased, make an appointment with your local Social Security Administration field office as soon as possible.

    You’ll need to bring valid ID with you, which can include one of the following documents:

    • Passport
    • Driver’s license
    • Employee ID
    • Military record
    • School ID
    • Marriage, divorce or adoption record
    • Health insurance card or medical record
    • Life insurance policy
    • Court order for name change
    • Church membership

    The original documents, or copies certified by the issuing agency, must be presented to the Social Security Administration. No photocopies are accepted.

    Once Social Security corrects your record, they will provide an “Erroneous Death Case – Third Party Contact" Notice that you can show to banks, doctors and others to get your accounts back and your life restored.

    Hopefully, field offices will be responsive in preparing this document, despite staff shortages and a growing number of the ‘undead’ fighting to restore their lives.

    What to read next

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    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.