Author: Rebecca Holland

Consider this scenario: A 25-year-old woman with epilepsy currently relies on friends, family and Uber lifts not only to get to work but around more generally, in a city where transit is limited and unreliable.

To gain independence, she wants to move to a rental apartment within walking distance of her work. The catch? The rent is $1,600 per month — almost 50% of her $50,000 salary.

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On the upside, her transportation costs would be lower if she moves closer to work, and she’s willing to make sacrifices to her discretionary spending to do it.

So is moving into this expensive apartment worth it for the greater independence she will gain?

The cost of living for young people with disabilities

Unfortunately, she’s not alone in grappling with this dilemma. Many Americans with disabilities pay more to enjoy the same standard of living as peers without disabilities.

According to the National Disability Institute, 20 million working-age Americans live with some form of disability and must spend 28% more on average to achieve the same standard of living as their counterparts without disabilities.

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Compounding the cost-of-living challenge for Gen Zers is a lack of affordable housing. Younger Americans are spending more on housing than previous generations.

The New York Times reports that, as of 2022, 5.2 million Gen Zers were spending 40% of their income on rent.

On the upside, if the character in our scenario moves, she would save on transportation costs, and she’s already ahead because she doesn’t have to worry about the cost of buying a car and ongoing maintenance and insurance costs.

Newsweek reports that two in every five Americans spend 20% of their monthly income on their vehicles, a figure that may rise as tariffs take hold.

Stress-testing your budget

The first step toward determining whether a new apartment is affordable is to write out a budget.

The classic 50/30/20 budget breakdown is a good starting point. Here’s what that looks like:

• 50% of your income on essentials, including a maximum 30% of your pre-tax income on housing
• 30% of your income on discretionary spending, including travel, hobbies and dining out
• 20% of your income towards savings, or savings and debt payments.

Then examine how you’re actually spending your money — now, not in the future. This will help you set a new budget that’s realistic.

To do this, gather up your bank and credit card statements from the last year and work out what you’re currently spending on essentials, discretionary spending and savings. You can even run a stress test in which you live on your new budget for a month to see if it’s doable.

Put away the extra money that would go towards “rent” into an emergency fund.

If you find it’s possible to get through the month on your proposed budget without too much stress or a feeling that you’re missing out on having fun, then the costly apartment may be worth it.

Make sure your new budget allows you to continue saving towards an emergency fund and that it doesn’t require you to use credit cards to cover expenses. Pay down debts so unexpected expenses don’t leave you scrambling to cover your bills at the end of the month.

Finally, if you’re going to spend more on your home, try to get as much enjoyment out of it as possible.

Since you’ll likely be trimming your budget for entertainment and dining out, make a point of moving into a place where you can entertain at home.

If you like to host dinner parties or board-game nights, invest in a good dining table that your friends can gather around. If you like to watch sports or play video games, try to get a comfortable couch and chairs, and a large, sturdy coffee table.

If outdoor space is important, prioritize a place with a balcony, access to a backyard, or one situated near a park.

Whatever your idea of fun is, be sure the sacrifice in your disposable income is worth it and doesn’t eat into your quality of life in ways you didn’t expect.

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

The Sweet Escape Cake Company in Indianapolis is warning other small businesses of new scam tactics after they were duped by a fraudster pretending to be connected to the Indiana Pacers.

Styles McCorkle, a Sweet Escape employee, told local news station Fox 59 that the business was contacted by email, with the scammer pretending to be Dean Heaviland, the vice president of operations for Pacers Sports and Entertainment. As their company had done work for the Pacers before, and other teams such as the Fever and Indianapolis Colts, the email didn’t seem suspicious.

The scammer offered the company a vendor booth at Game 4, and Sweet Escape’s owner reports that between labor and supplies, they spent $4,000 on preparing, only to find they got duped.

Here’s how Sweet Escape was duped, and how you can avoid similar scams.

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NBA finals fever sweeps the city

The Indianapolis Pacers experienced an unprecedented surge in ticket demand following their remarkable showing in the NBA finals. On June 19, the team delivered a memorable performance in Game 6, which led to the first Game 7 finals matchup in nearly ten years. Despite their valiant effort, the Pacers ultimately fell short against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a closely contested championship decider.

The opportunity to have a booth at a major game was too good to pass up, according to Sweet Escape employees. What’s more, the scammer offered the booth for only $400.

“So, we were super excited for an opportunity like this,” McCorkle said. “So next day, we take that opportunity and decide we are going to go through with it, paid our invoice for the spot and everything, nothing was too inconvenient.”

Upon replying to the email to inquire about their booth location, they received a bounce-back notification. They soon realized they had fallen victim to a scam perpetrated by someone impersonating Dean Heaviland. The business had already prepared numerous Pacers-themed treats, adding significant strain to their already busy schedule of Father’s Day orders.

“I came into work the next day, I was devastated,” McCorkle said. “Like we were really excited to have this opportunity to put our face out there and be in front of Gainbridge Fieldhouse.”

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A sweet ending

The disappointment at Sweet Escape didn’t last long. Upon learning about the situation, Pacers executives stepped in and purchased all the Game 4 products that had been prepared. This generous move ensured the small, family-owned bakery wouldn’t suffer any financial losses.

“It gives me goosebumps because when my dad told me the next day, ‘Hey, by the way, I just got off the phone, Megan said they are going to buy everything,’ it was like a weight lifted off the chest and none of it was in vain,” McCorkle said. “We even got refunded for our initial deposit so, it was only gain.”

“For an organization as big as the Pacers to care about a small business like us, and have that attention, like ‘Hey we understand the situation, we like you guys already, so we are going to take this off of your hands, like whoever did the scam, thank you for that,” McCorkle said. “Like, it worked out for us in the end.”

How to spot scams

Today’s fraudsters employ increasingly advanced techniques. In this incident, the scammer exploited Sweet Escape’s existing relationship with the Pacers to appear legitimate. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), criminals frequently impersonate trusted contacts, making it essential to verify email addresses against previous communications from your clients or business partners. To confirm someone’s identity, consider requesting a phone conversation or in-person meeting to ensure you’re communicating with an authentic representative.

The FTC also advises small business owners that scammers will often ask for payment through unusual means, such as wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Asking for payment in this way is a red flag, especially from an established company.

Scammers create a false sense of urgency to force quick decisions. In the Sweet Escape incident, the fraudster leveraged the upcoming Game 4 as pressure, possibly claiming the vendor booth would be reassigned if the team didn’t act immediately. This pressure tactic prevents victims from carefully considering the situation. In contrast, legitimate business relationships typically provide reasonable timeframes for decision-making without applying excessive pressure.

To protect your small business from scams, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest fraud prevention guidance from government agencies and ensure all staff members receive comprehensive training on recognizing scam attempts. Many businesses that fall victim to fraudsters don’t recover as successfully as Sweet Escape did.

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

Residents in Lakeville, Minnesota are calling for more oversight and accountability after their Homeowner’s Association ordered expensive roofing repairs they say they didn’t need.

Five of those residents have decided to sue their HOA and its Board members after being stuck with roofing bills totalling $17,000 each. While the HOA claims that extensive damage following a hailstorm in July 2023 necessitated repairs for each property, the residents say that independent assessments of their homes found that their roofs were in good repair and not damaged by the storm.

Now, these homeowners have until the end of July to make the payment, or risk losing their homes for an association lien closure.

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What the lawsuit alleges

According to a report from KSTP, the five plaintiffs allege that the HOA did not properly verify damage to each individual unit, and instead approved a sweeping, multimillion-dollar repair job. They also say the board has failed to provide promised documentation of the damage.

Attorney Steven Little, representing the five homeowners, believes the agreement was made to benefit the roofing contracting company, Gittleman Construction and Maintenance Corporation, which is an affiliate of FirstService Residential, the property management company for the Avonlea Townhome Association — both of which are named as defendants in the lawsuit.

“Most of these roofs have no damage at all,” Little told KSTP. “We have independent roofing contractors’ reports that show there’s nothing wrong with these roofs. These are people’s homes, and now they’re being threatened with losing their homes for an association lien closure if they’re not able to come up with the $17,000.”

Little has filed a motion to put the payment process on hold on until the HOA shares more information about the roofing assessments and work.

“My hope is that we get a court hearing,” Sarah Conlow, one of the plaintiffs, said. “That they look at all the evidence that we have from across the community and hold off charging homeowners the assessment until we get answers.”

The HOA’s response

In a letter to homeowners dated June 5, the HOA stated that repairs were necessary following “extensive storm-related damage”, and that the total cost of replacing or repairing roofs on 32 buildings would amount to $2.5 million, to be split among all 147 homeowners.

“Yeah, it was shocking to get that notice,” homeowner Raj Logama Naidu told local news station KSTP. “My insurance only covers $1,000.”

Under Minnesota law and the association’s governing documents, the board is “legally obligated to repair the damaged roofs,” and this obligation “is not optional and cannot be waived or subjected to a vote,” according to the spokesperson.

However, KSTP reporters learned that the board committed to providing a report on the damage done to each home. Instead, a report that showed photos of an unidentified home was delivered, totalling only 12 pages.

Utilis Vinson, HOA Association Board President, said to KTSP that “it’s possible” that the HOA board did not do their due diligence in sharing photos or documentation of damage with homeowners.

FirstService Residential did not respond to a request for comment from the KTSP team.

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Do HOAs have to get approval for major repairs?

When you buy a home in a community governed by a homeowners association (HOA), you agree to follow its rules — including those covering property appearance, structural modifications and maintenance responsibilities. You also agree to pay regular dues, which can vary widely: from $859 a month in New York to just $64 in Idaho, according to a 2024 estimate in the 2024 Condominium Assessments Analysis by the Foundation for Community Research.

But in addition to monthly or quarterly dues, HOAs can also impose special assessments for large-scale repairs or improvements. In most states, board approval is all that’s needed — not a majority vote from homeowners.

That said, HOA members do have rights. You can:

• Request documentation of damage or project necessity, including inspection reports and bids
• Attend board meetings to ask questions and formally raise concerns
• Ask to inspect financial records and review how past dues have been used
• Request a delay or payment plan for costly assessments
• File a legal complaint if you believe the board acted improperly, such as failing to document decisions, choosing affiliated contractors without transparency or acting in bad faith

If you’re considering buying into an HOA, ask for a copy of the association’s financial reports, bylaws and reserve fund details before you sign. And if you already live in one, stay involved. Attending meetings and reviewing financial decisions can help you push back before major and costly changes are made.

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

For many remote workers, the flexibility offered by working at home can’t be beat.

In a McKinsey survey from 2022, 21% of remote workers reported that getting a remote role was their primary motivation for seeking a new job. Furthermore, according to an independent survey of more than 12,000 respondents who work remotely, the ability to work from anywhere has increased their happiness by as much as 20%.

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So what if you’re currently on the job hunt, and have received a nice offer, but now find out it will mean you need to work from the office for at least three days a week? Is it worth it to trade in your sweats for a rush-hour commute? We’ll break down the added costs of office-based work, plus the benefits that you might enjoy.

The scenario

Say you’re currently making $140K with a 10% performance bonus. Your new offer has a base salary of $170K with a 15% bonus. However, you’ll be leaving a fully-remote role for a mandatory hybrid working arrangement, with three days a week in-office.

The extra salary could help you afford a down payment on your own home, which is your major financial goal.

So what would the extra salary look like on your monthly paycheck? If you live in California, for example, your total income after taxes would be $114,921, not including deductions for health insurance or any contributions to retirement accounts. In contrast, your current take-home pay at your $140,000 salary is $97,119. So the difference is $17,802, or $1,483.50 per month. When you consider your health care and retirement savings costs, you can target about $1,000 extra per month in income — which isn’t bad, but might not be enough to get you meaningfully closer to your goal of homeownership.

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Additional costs for your new role

If you choose to transition back to working in-office, you’ll have to consider your transportation costs. As a remote worker, you may not have a car, or you may not use your car very often. With potentially long commutes ahead of you, you’ll need a reliable vehicle, a healthy gas budget, and some savings set aside in case of accidents or repairs. You may also need to consider whether your current auto insurance will be sufficient for your needs. If you work in the city, parking might also become a monthly expense you’ll need to factor in.

Many office workers prefer the convenience of having their lunches or even dinners at restaurants. Even if you brown bag it two out of the three days you’re in the office, your food budget can balloon when you’re surrounded by options for meals on the go. It’s also true that you’ll feel more tempted to treat yourself to social drinks or dinners with colleagues after work, or other activities that can take a bite out of your entertainment budget each month.

But there’s something to be said for the value of that informal off-the-clock socializing, especially if you’re hoping to climb the ranks at your new workplace.

You just need to be prepared for these added costs because the temptation for lifestyle creep could be a real concern. When you feel like you’re earning more, regardless of what the numbers in your bank account say, you may be tempted to splurge on luxuries like extra vacations, a new car or even more frequent discretionary purchases like clothes shopping and dining out. These costs could quickly eat up your extra $1,000 per month, and even leave you with less money for saving than you had before.

The bottom line

While it may sound as if we’re advising you against taking a new role, the truth is that it’s almost always a good idea. Your role is likely to be additional good experience you can add to your resume and help you in the future in your career.

If you’re feeling underutilized in your current role, or you’re not growing, a new role can break you out of your rut, and also make you more competitive in the job market. In today’s layoff-heavy climate, staying relevant with new skills and better titles is a must.

You can also look at the role as an experiment — if you find that the commuting and lifestyle changes aren’t worth it after six months to a year in the role, you can hit the job market again and find something that suits you better, hopefully this time with even more skills to aid you in your search.

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Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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

When Angela and Terry Taylor of Houston moved into a four-story home in a gated community in 2020, they thought it would be a safe, low-maintenance environment where they could ease into retirement.

Instead, things started to go wrong almost immediately. The Taylors noticed condensation on the windows and doors. Angela began to feel ill.

They soon identified the problem: mold. A doctor discovered mold in Angela’s sinuses and told her it was the highest level he had seen in 32 years.

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Then they checked out the house. Hundreds of thousands of mold spores per cubic meter, on the walls, beneath stucco finishes — even their furniture.

"It’s not safe for anybody to be there," their attorney Ernest Freeman told KHOU 11.

The Taylors have moved into an apartment, carrying the costs of the apartment and their new home at the same time.

"We’re trying to retire one of these days and these are some of the most expensive days of our lives," said Terry Taylor. "It’s unfathomable that we’re in the position we’re in."

Now they’re suing the home builder, Pelican Builders, and sharing their story to alert other people to the dangers.

Mold takes a physical and financial toll

"We worked hard, raised our kids and this is our time, and I’ve gotten sick," Angela said. "It’s just a nightmare."

The couple said they initially tried to work with the builder on a solution.

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Pelican Builders’ lawyer Ben Westcott said that the company offered to repair the Taylors’ home at no cost in 2022. He said the Taylors’ decision not to take the offer led to further degradation of the property.

But Freeman and his clients note that the builders’ offer did address underlying structural issues that caused the mold growth in the first place.

Mold grows when houses aren’t properly sealed. Warm air fills the inside of the walls, forced down from the attic. Cooler air from the other side of the wall makes condensation form, causing mold to grow rapidly.

What you can do if your new home has serious structural issues

If you, like the Taylors, find structural problems in a new-build home, there are several avenues you can pursue to get help.

First, review your contract and the builder’s warranty. This type of warranty is standard for new homes, and is also enforced when any extensive remodels to your existing home take place. It covers permanent parts of your home, including concrete floors, plumbing, electrical work and the like.

You may also have a home warranty, which covers replacements or repairs. This can include appliances or air conditioning systems, and servicing for these items.

If your warranty covers the repairs you need, you should have no trouble enforcing the terms of your agreement with your builder.

If the issues are not part of the warranty, but are so significant that the property is uninhabitable, your builder should also make a good faith agreement to repair the damage and underlying issues with the home.

If your builder refuses to cooperate, you can file a complaint with your state’s contractors licensing board. The specific rules and regulations vary by state, but each board can pursue disciplinary action against a contractor who fails to uphold a reasonable standard for their work.

Finally, you can consider hiring a lawyer. Look for a representative who has handled similar cases in the past, and can help you understand the laws in place in your state to protect homeowners.

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• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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

Tracy Jeffords is sounding the alarm on fake texts that appear to be from FasTrak tolls.

The 72-year-old Lake County man told ABC 7 On Your Side that he lost more than $3,300 to a scammer who used his debit card information to make a purchase on eBay. Now he wants to warn other seniors to be on the lookout for scam texts that reporters say have inundated people in the Bay Area for months.

It all started back In April when Jeffords drove to San Francisco for a heart procedure. Shortly after returning home, he received a text that said he owed money for crossing a bridge toll plaza. He assumed the text was legitimate and entered his debit card information. However, when he received a letter from FasTrak for the same reason some days later, the alarm bells sounded.

Jeffords checked his bank account and found his information had been used to make a purchase on eBay.

"It made me feel terrible. And the thing is, it’s going to happen to somebody else."

Jeffords says he wants to warn others who may not realize the texts are a scam. "Especially older people. I have my [faculties] about me, but I don’t really think twice or get suspicious as I should, or as I used to," he said.

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Getting reimbursed after a scam

ABC 7 On Your Side is working to help Jeffords get reimbursed after the scam. Though he has tried to dispute the charge with both eBay and his bank, he has so far been unable to recover the $3,300 he lost.

Michel Weksler, a consultant specializing in payment security, warned that scams that go after debit card information are harder for banks to reverse.

"The primary thing is that the money moves almost instantaneously. And when the money is moved, you cannot easily get it back. In most cases, it’s gone," he said.

Jeffords says that as a retiree, losing this sum has a substantial impact on his budget.

FBI receives 2,000 complaints about road toll collection services scams

Just as news reports warn of scam texts hitting phones all over the Bay Area, the AARP also reports that residents of Utah are being hit with a similar scam. In fact, IC3, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, reports shows the organization has received more than 2,000 complaints about road toll collection texts. And scams purporting to be from FasTrak Lane, the company that collects tolls for all roads in California specifically, are the most common. The AARP warns that the scam is also hitting those outside of California, with a volunteer in Utah reporting a similar story as Tracy Jeffords. Luckily, the volunteer’s bank was able to flag the charge as suspicious and deactivate her debit card.

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How to avoid text-based scams

The AARP advises seniors to always be suspicious of text messages purporting to be from legitimate companies and services. FasTrak, for example, never requests payment from drivers via a text with a link to a website. The AARP also advises looking at the number the text came from. These scams often originate outside of the states. For example, the volunteer in Utah found that her scam text came from a number with the country code of the Philippines.

The FCC further warns seniors that scams will often use threatening or pushy language to get you to act quickly, but that legitimate toll collectors will never do this. For example, many of these scam texts threaten to suspend your account or hit you with further fines. If you receive a text of this type, you can always call the toll company right away at a number searched up on their website, instead of following any links in the text and potentially falling for a scam.

The FCC also says the following flags are a “dead giveaway” that a text is a scam:

• Asking you to pay through non-standard methods like gift cards or wire transfers
• The text originates from an international phone number
• Other phone numbers included as recipients
• Generic greetings such as "Dear Customer" or "E-ZPass user." They note that legitimate messages will usually address you by name.

And if the message is a scam, the toll company will want you to report the details to help them track down the impersonators.

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• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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

A trio in Columbus, Ohio, are awaiting their chance to enter a plea to fraud charges after allegedly bilking more than $600,000 from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit program.

It’s not yet known how the group’s scheme worked, but the sweet tooths have been collaborating since July 2024, using stolen SNAP benefit cards to buy thousands of dollars worth of candy, soda, Red Bull and other junk food.

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• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now

Ionut Bizga, Doina Maria Bacelan, and Juan Carlos Pagan Hernandez are charged with several counts of criminal activities described as a "pattern of corrupt activity and food stamp fraud," according to an Ohio Department of Public Safety spokesperson, in an interview with WHIO-TV.

The stolen goods were placed in Columbus storage units before being shipped out of state, according to Newsweek. Investigators seized card skimmers, cloned gift cards, credit cards, laptops and cell phones. They are also working to identify further suspects in the case.

While Ohio government officials are working hard to crack down on SNAP fraud, one question remains: Are professional scammers stealing your tax dollars from the program?

A year-long investigation

Bizga first became known to Columbus Police in July 2024 when they cited him for crashing into a city fire hydrant. He was rushed to the hospital, where it was learned that he had no identification. He had Texas plates on his minivan, and an additional set of plates for Virginia was found in the trunk. Bizga was found guilty of driving without a licence and fined $300.

One month later, the Ohio Investigative Unit investigated a tip about stolen SNAP benefits and fake electronic benefit transfer (EBT) transactions were received.

Bizga appeared in court again in May 2025, but the case was postponed until Bizga and Bacelan could be provided with a Romanian interpreter. Bizga is also subject to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold — meaning he was held for an additional 48 hours past his release — according to reports from his initial court appearance.

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How widespread is SNAP fraud?

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services told ABC News 6 On Your Side that more than $17 million in SNAP benefits have been stolen in the state since summer 2023.

The most recent federal-level study of SNAP found that between 2015 and 2017, benefit trafficking amounted to approximately $1.27 billion in lost funds. The U.S. Government Accountability Office reported that $10.5 billion of the SNAP program’s overall $90.1 billion budget for 2023 was paid improperly, meaning that people received more benefits than they qualified for.

Theft of the program’s EBT cards is the biggest issue for regulators. Between 2023 and 2024, states were directed to use $150 million of federal tax dollars to reimburse SNAP recipients who were victims of skimming, card cloning and other types of fraud.

The situation has caught the attention of Tristan Rader, the representative of the 13th District in the Ohio House of Representatives.

"Tens of thousands of Ohio families have had their SNAP benefits stolen, leaving them without food and putting more pressure on food banks,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post. “I am working to stop this fraud and make sure help gets to those who need it — because no one should go hungry due to a broken system."

Preventing SNAP fraud

The USDA is in the process of upgrading swipe cards with chipped ones to prevent EBT card theft.

In 2023, the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing fraud, found that SNAP benefits theft accounted for 11% of all government benefits fraud in identity theft cases.

Software company Propel surveyed 1,700 victims of EBT theft and found that half of the victims didn’t know their benefits were stolen. Additionally, 44% of those reported that they had to borrow money or go into debt to buy food after their benefits were gone.

In addition to upgrading to more secure EBT cards, the USDA has also released the [SNAP Fraud Framework] to establish best practices for detecting potential fraud. This framework will likely come under more scrutiny as charges were laid in a landmark fraud and bribery scheme involving a longtime USDA employee in May.

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

Massachusetts utilities company National Grid is once again the target of criticisms from customers over billing practices. Just a few weeks ago it was revealed that it failed to bill thousands of gas customers for most of the previous winter.

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Now WCVB Channel 5 Boston reports that a quarter million customers were switched to paperless billing since August, but several are coming forward to claim they didn’t opt in or know about the change. They say they only learned of the switch after they received a disconnection notice demanding hundreds of dollars in missed payments be made.

In March, state regulators called the company’s billing issues "systemic" and "inexcusable,” and they recently announced relief for customers who did not see their paperless bills.

Here’s what you can do if you’re facing a similar issue with a utilities or service provider.

‘I got no phone call. Nothing. It just stopped.’

Albert Mercado, a National Grid customer, received a final disconnection notice by mail in May — his first letter from the company in months.

At first, Mercado didn’t understand. “Out of the blue. And I’m like, ‘What’s going on? What in Galloping Gale is this?’” he said in an interview with WCVB.

He called National Grid and learned he had been switched to paperless bills some months before. The company was sending the bills to an outdated email address.

"My first email account. Hotmail," Mercado explained. He also told WCVB that there was no notice included on any of his previous paper bills.

Similarly, Matt Ricciuti also received a disconnection notice in late May with a bill for $800.

"I didn’t choose it, and I didn’t even have an option," Ricciuti said to WCVB. "I got no notice of [the switch]. I got no phone call. Nothing. It just stopped.”

His bills were also going to an old email.

"She said it was going to my original email that I had established back when MSN was just starting up," explained Ricciuti.

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The news station reports 266,000 people have been moved to paperless billing since last August, and the company automatically enrolled customers who had any email address listed on their account. The company confirmed that they only notified customers of the switch through email, and no notice was sent with bills or other letters. They only reenrolled customers in paper bills if an emailed bill bounced back.

"I think they should have notified people a lot better than they did," Ricciuti said.

"I said, ‘Your implementation sucks. For the number of years I’ve had an account with you guys. Always pay the bills on time. Never got a call, text message, nothing. This just doesn’t make sense,’” Mercado said.

How you can avoid missed bills and disconnected utilities

For their part, National Grid said in a statement, "We have made efforts to communicate with all customers enrolled in paperless billing over the last two years and will continue reaching out to those we have not reached using available contact information. Customers who prefer to receive printed bills can easily update their preferences by logging into their National Grid account via our website or mobile app, or by calling 1-800-233-5325 to speak with a Customer Service Specialist."

However, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities told WCVB they have received dozens of complaints about the paperless transition from National Grid customers.

They also confirmed any customer who did not receive their bills is not responsible for charges older than 60 days. This includes paperless bills that were sent to the wrong email address. They advised National Grid customers eligible for this relief to call the company.

If you are with another service provider or living in another state, you can reach out to your state’s public utilities department to file a complaint involving a gas, electric, or water company.

You can also contact municipal, county or state government offices to find more information on how to file these complaints, and if there are any additional watchdog or community organizations in your area that will register your issue and help you with your missed bills. They can also inform you of the regulations in your state concerning bills you did not receive.

In the meantime, to avoid any disconnection of your essential home services, be sure to log in to any accounts you have with your utilities providers and check your preferences to ensure your bills are delivered to the right address. You can also call your provider’s helplines to check this information.

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

Jon Petrie, owner of Tender Car Collision in Milwaukee, says he has been dealing with wheel thefts at his business for years.

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He put up a fence and hired private security.

When that didn’t work, he put GPS trackers on the rims to try to catch a thief in the act.

“It was an extreme feeling of frustration and helplessness. This was one of the last resorts of extreme, extreme anger,” he said to WISN. "I roll out of my house like Batman in the middle of the night, trying to see where these wheels are going."

Petrie and the police traced the GPS device, which was hidden under the tire, to a Honda Odyssey van seen on surveillance video at Tender Car Collision and the men suspected of the crime.

Other businesses targeted

Ethan Langoehr, a mechanic in Milwaukee, said his place of work and his project car were targeted.

Langoehr is working on restoring a 1990 Honda Prelude for himself. He used to keep it behind the Midas mechanic shop where he works. He said the tires and wheels were stolen overnight and the car was put on blocks.

“It’s going to be incredibly difficult to find another set of factory wheels,” he told WISN.

Police now have an arrest warrant for David Griffin, who has been accused of stealing $29,700 worth of wheels and tires from mechanic shops across the city.

The Honda Odyssey van carrying Petrie’s GPS device was parked at an apartment where court records show Griffin lives, according to the WISN report. Griffin has been charged with four counts of felony theft and one misdemeanor count.

"Put your hard work towards something more productive than stealing, please," Petrie said in the interview with WISN. "Like, if you applied an ounce of that hard work of getting up in the middle of the night and relentlessly stealing, if you applied that same effort towards doing something of value to society, you could do so well."

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Why wheel and tire theft is common

While this may seem like petty theft, it’s actually a major concern for mechanic shops and car owners across the country.

According to Direct Auto Insurance, wheels and tires are some of the most commonly stolen car parts.

There are a few reasons for this. Tires and wheels can be removed from your car in a matter of minutes, making it easy for a thief to target your car if it’s parked in an unmonitored location. These parts are often unmarked, unlike the hardware found under your hood, so it’s difficult for police to track down stolen parts, or for a shady mechanic to be accused of receiving stolen parts. They are also easy to resell for high prices, especially with tariffs being slapped on them.

These crimes can be a major headache for car owners if their insurance doesn’t cover the full cost. Many Americans don’t have emergency funds and aren’t ready for a surprise expense due to a theft.

“The cost to replace stolen wheels and tires can easily top $2,000 even for an average cost car,” says Kiley & O’Toole Insurance. “If your auto insurance policy has comprehensive coverage, then your insurance company will pay for most of your loss. However, personally you will still pay a price. First, because a deductible will apply, you will pay the first $300 to $1,000, depending on your policy. Second, even though the claim is no fault of your own, it is nonetheless a claim paid and becomes part of your claim history, and with some insurance companies it could increase the insurance rate you pay down the line.”

How to avoid wheel theft

While this type of crime is prevalent, there are several measures you can take to hopefully avoid becoming a victim:

• Use your garage or well-lit areas: Whether it’s connected to your home or you have access to a parking garage, putting your vehicle out-of-sight puts it out-of-mind for thieves. These crimes are often opportunistic, with thieves cruising for vehicles that seem unattended. If you can’t park in a garage, be sure you’re parking under a street light, or in high-traffic areas. Tire thieves don’t want to be seen at work, so use a busy street to your advantage.
• Lock it up: Consider replacing one of the lug nuts on each wheel with a lock. These require a special key for removal.
• Turn your wheel: According to GEICO, turning your wheels to a 45-degree angle makes it "difficult for a thief to get the lug nuts off, because the inner fender will likely be in the way."

Finally, always remember to lock your car. This may seem like obvious advice, but forgetfulness can lead to your items being stolen in a matter of minutes. Also be sure to check your insurance coverage to ensure that if you become a target of this type of crime, you’ll be fully covered for replacement tires and wheels.

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• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

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