Category: Moneywise

What started as a harmless fluke quickly snowballed into a full-blown logistical nightmare — one cardboard box at a time.

A woman identified only as “Kay” told ABC 7 she has been bombarded by Amazon deliveries for over a year. Boxes keep arriving at her home, even though she never ordered them. They’re addressed to her house but not to her name.

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Despite repeated attempts to return or refuse the deliveries, they keep piling up. At one point, the packages blocked her driveway, front door and even the path for the mail carrier. That made things especially difficult for her 88-year-old mother, who has a disability.

"I couldn’t even get my mother in the house,” Kay told ABC 7. “It’s just been another form of hell," Kay told ABC 7.

The boxes now swallowing half her carport are more than just a minor inconvenience. And if she wants them gone, Amazon says that’s her responsibility.

The company suggested she donate the items, give them away or haul them to USPS or FedEx herself. So, what’s really going on?

Stuck with the bill, and the boxes

Each of the mystery packages contains the same item: faux-leather seat covers shipped from a Chinese seller called “Liusandedian.” The brand operates as Etkin on Amazon, and advertises custom-fit covers for a wide range of cars.

But customers report the seat covers don’t fit at all. And when they try to return them, things get even messier.

Unlike items fulfilled directly by Amazon, third-party sellers that handle their own shipping aren’t bound by Amazon’s standard return policy. Instead, they’re required to offer one of the three options:

• A U.S.-based return address
• A prepaid shipping label
• A full refund without needing to ship the item back

But this seller appears to be skipping those rules, and Kay isn’t the only one caught in the chaos. Complaints are piling up.

"Why haven’t I received my refund? Was sent thru UPS 3 weeks ago," one customer wrote on Amazon.

"It’s going to cost me $124 to return this item!!!" another customer added.

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A pile of boxes later

After more than a year of living in what looked like a stockroom, Kay had had enough. She filed six complaint tickets with Amazon, trying to stop the flood.

Amazon initially denied telling her to haul the boxes to USPS or FedEx, though Kay says she was told when she asked for help.

"Why is it my responsibility to get rid of this, when your seller is not following your rules, Amazon?" she asked.

In response to inquiries from 7 On Your Side, Amazon issued a statement: “We’ve apologized to the customer and are working directly with her to pick-up any packages while taking steps to permanently resolve this issue." And finally, after months of dead ends, Kay got a win. On July 10, Amazon removed the remaining boxes from her property and promised to crack down on sellers abusing the system.

While Kay’s case is rare, it’s a good reminder to be cautious while shopping online. Before buying from an unfamiliar brand, check the seller’s ratings and read customer reviews.

If anything feels off — mismatched product details, sketchy return policies or an unfamiliar brand name — trust your gut and move on. And always confirm whether the item is fulfilled by Amazon or shipped from a third-party seller.

It might just save you from a porch full of regret.

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

St. Louis’ Blake and Sarah Anyan’s story begins as a fairy tale. The high-school sweethearts were expecting their first baby.

The couple chose Mercy Hospital — dubbed ‘The Baby Palace on Ballas’ — for prenatal care, labor and delivery. They chose the hospital not only because it is known for its obstetrics care, but because Sarah was employed there as a cardiac nurse and Blake worked there as a respiratory therapist.

Sarah’s pregnancy was a typical one, with her active baby kicking her often on her nursing shifts. When she went into labor, she headed to the hospital to welcome her baby boy Remi. That’s where everything went wrong.

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What happened next would change the couple’s lives forever and lead to a record-setting $48.1 million verdict against the hospital for its failures.

Baby suffered severe harm in labor, delivery

Sarah was given an epidural at 10:42 p.m. At 3:50 a.m., she began pushing. Pushing for more than three hours is dangerous. She pushed for 12 hours.

The couple, who trusted their health team, weren’t offered a C-section or told of the risks of prolonged pushing.

“Speaking as a nurse, I was really, really disappointed that they didn’t share that with me," Sarah told News Alert 4 in St. Louis.

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Another thing the health team didn’t reveal? That their baby boy Remi was in distress during the prolonged labor.

To their shock, when Remi was delivered, he was floppy, didn’t cry, had poor tone and began having seizures.

“We were pretty much blindsided,” Sarah said.

Sadly, their son suffered severe and permanent harm. Now 5 years old, Remi has full cognition but can’t walk or communicate. He has cerebral palsy.

“It’s just a major travesty,” Blake said. “It hurts us as parents, but it also hurts us as care providers. That’s so far away from what we’ve been taught to do, and what I teach my students to do. It’s just heartbreaking.”

The Anyans filed a malpractice lawsuit against Mercy Hospital, its nurses and their obstetrician Dr. Daniel McNeive for medical negligence.

Medical malpractice laws hold providers accountable if the care they provide falls below a professional standard. Birth injuries are a top reason for malpractice claims.

Expert witnesses said expecting a mother in labor to push for 12 hours was inexcusable, adding that the hospital failed to respond properly after Remi was born. One possible intervention — therapeutic hypothermia — could have reduced his injuries by up to 30%.

The couple won their malpractice suit. The jury awarded them $48.1 million in the verdict, of which $20 million was for punitive damages.

"So grateful that they took what happened seriously and didn’t give up faith in Remi, and that they would try and help him move forward," Blake said.

Mercy is appealing the ruling. In a statement, they wrote:

"We stand by the care provided by our team … No evidence was ever introduced suggesting dangerous patterns or practices of behavior by Mercy or Dr. McNeive, nor did the jury make this finding. The case remains pending with the court, and Mercy will continue to seek appropriate resolution for the benefit of the Anyan family.”

What can malpractice victims do?

The Anyans aren’t the only ones harmed by a medical error. A Johns Hopkins study found that medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S.

Top reasons for malpractice suits include:

• failure to diagnose/delayed diagnosis
• radiology errors, such as misreading X-rays
• failure to obtain informed consent
• surgical errors, such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving instruments inside patients
• anesthesia errors
• medication errors

Victims of malpractice must demonstrate they were damaged by medical negligence and deserve compensation for losses. If successful, they are owed payment for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and emotional distress.

However, many states cap non-economic damages (for pain and distress) at $500,000 or less.

If you or someone you love has experienced medical negligence, it’s important to take legal action quickly. There are time limits for pursuing a claim — usually within one to four years of discovering your injuries — so don’t wait.

If legal costs concern you, you can work with a personal injury lawyer on a contingency-fee basis. Such lawyers offer free case evaluations and don’t charge legal fees upfront. They subtract legal fees from any compensation they recover on your behalf.

To support your case, gather and maintain all the documentation you can — medical records, names of your care team, and records of any followup care you have received as a result of your injuries.

The Anyans took action not only to advocate for themselves, but to inspire others — as Sarah tells her son Remi.

“You’ve got two choices in life. You can be angry and bitter and hang on to that anger your whole life. Or you can choose to inspire people," Sarah said. "And I tell him that all the time — he’s going to inspire people."

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

It’s not every day a stranger insists on handing you a $20 bill you didn’t drop. But for Sarah — whose last name has been withheld, as reported by Fox LA — that’s exactly what happened on an ordinary Wednesday afternoon at a Ralphs grocery store in Van Nuys.

"He came much closer to me and was kind of pushing the $20 into my wallet," Sarah recalled. "I said, ‘No, I don’t think I did.’"

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At first, it could have been a strange but harmless mix-up. That is, until Sarah noticed the man was suddenly joined by a woman — both of them following her to her car, pressing the cash on her with unsettling persistence. What felt like an awkward moment quickly turned into a coordinated scam. When Sarah checked her wallet, her cash was intact, but her debit card was gone.

Within 30 minutes, the thieves had made multiple withdrawals from Sarah and her daughter, Jennifer’s bank account from a Chase branch.

Unfortunately, Sarah and Jennifer aren’t alone. Distraction scams have been popping up across the country. Here’s how to spot the red flags.

Be on the lookout

Distraction scams don’t come with flashing red lights, they come with kindness and confusion. These types of scams are built on flustering you just enough to make you vulnerable. This involves a stranger creating a diversion — like insisting you dropped a $20 bill — while an accomplice steals something like your wallet or debit card.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the year before. While that includes a mix of schemes, distraction scams are rising, especially in places we least expect it like grocery store lines.

"It’s a huge violation," Sarah said. "I feel like I’m looking over my shoulder everywhere I go. It’s just horrible."

Jennifer, Sarah’s daughter, filed a police report and shared the story online — and the responses came flooding in. Dozens of people chimed in with eerily similar experiences, revealing just how widespread the scam really is.

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What you can do to protect yourself

For Jennifer, a teacher with a limited income, falling victim to a scam wasn’t just an inconvenience, it had immediate financial consequences. "My money is gone, and I had just gotten paid," she told Fox LA. As living expenses continue to rise, incidents like this can disrupt far more than a day’s routine.

And yet, that’s why scams like these are so effective, often appearing as benign interactions. “You need to understand the hallmarks of most scams: They contact you first, dangle some sort of bait in front of you and create a sense of urgency,” Jason Zirkle, training director at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, told Nerd Wallet.

Remaining aware of your surroundings is key. Trusting your instincts, keeping personal belongings securely fastened and not hesitating to report suspicious behavior — whether to a store manager or law enforcement — can serve as your first line of defense.

And if you do find yourself in Sarah and Jennifer’s position, it’s important to take action. The first step is to contact your bank or card issuer immediately to freeze the account to prevent further transactions. Most banks offer 24/7 fraud hotlines and mobile app features to lock your card with just a tap. Next, file a fraud report with your financial institution so they can begin investigating the unauthorized charges. This also increases your chances of recovering any lost funds.

Be sure to file a police report as well, which not only helps authorities track patterns of criminal activity but may also be required by your bank for reimbursement.

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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 scammer pretending to be a construction vendor tricked the Citrus County School Board in Inverness, Florida, into sending more than $800,000 to the wrong bank account. The fraud wasn’t discovered until the real vendor called to say they hadn’t received their payment.

According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, $846,864.86 was intended for a trusted vendor who was working on a construction project for the school district. However, the money was wired to a fraudster’s account after they sent a fake—but convincing—email that resembled the vendor’s usual messages.

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“This was an email from someone pretending to be the vendor that looked exactly like what the vendor would’ve sent,” said Dr. Scott Hebert, Superintendent of Schools, in an interview with WFLA.

How the scam worked

According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, the fraudster copied the vendor’s email address and made it look nearly identical to the real one. They also included a fake bank account number for payment. The scam worked because the email was so well-crafted that it didn’t raise immediate red flags.

“A malicious actor will come in and change one or two characteristics of a URL address or an email link—something that doesn’t totally appear correct,” said Detective Cutlip with the CCSO High-Tech Crimes Unit. “At first glance, if you’re having correspondence, you wouldn’t pick up all those changes.”

Once school officials realized what had happened, they immediately contacted law enforcement. The sheriff’s office worked with the U.S. Secret Service to track the money, which had already been split between two bank accounts outside of Florida.

Thanks to that quick response, investigators were able to freeze and recover about 92% of the funds—roughly $779,600. More than $67,000 was still missing, and the investigation remains ongoing.

In the wake of the scam, the Citrus County School District is implementing new safety measures. Dr. Hebert said all district employees are getting extra cybersecurity training, and new protocols are being developed to help staff detect and respond to cyber threats in the future.

“Disciplinary action will occur,” Hebert told WFLA. “Those folks that were involved… will be held accountable for not following any of the procedures that we had in place.”

Depending on the findings of an internal investigation, that discipline could range from further training to suspension or termination.

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How to protect yourself or your business from phishing scams

This type of scam, often called business email compromise or phishing, is becoming increasingly common. To avoid falling victim to these scams, here are a few steps you can take:

Double-check email addresses

Scammers often change just one character in an email to make it look real. For example, "gadams[at]adamsconstruction.com" might become "gadams[at]adamsconstructi0n.com."

Verify payment information before you hit ‘send’

If a vendor emails new bank details or says their payment info has changed, call them using a known phone number—not one listed in the email—to confirm.

Be cautious about any last-minute changes

If someone suddenly requests changes to a scheduled payment, closing date, or account number, take extra steps to verify that the changes are legitimate. It’s always better to take a few extra minutes to verify then to fall victim to a scam.

Train your team

Make sure everyone who handles money or emails with vendors knows what phishing scams look like and how to report them. This includes following the steps listed here and knowing not to click on links or download files from unknown sources.

Contact law enforcement immediately if you suspect fraud

One reason the school board was able to get most of the money back was because they reported the scam right away. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering lost funds.

As this case shows, even experienced professionals can fall for a scam when the attack is sophisticated. But by staying alert and putting clear procedures in place, businesses and individuals can better protect themselves from financial fraud.

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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.

With a new school year just around the corner, thousands of workers in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently received some troubling news. The district announced nearly 1,500 workers would be laid off, including 432 teachers, as well as 300 paraprofessionals or school-related personnel; 700 assistants for special education classrooms and 33 people working in security.

CPS downplayed the layoffs, despite the shocking numbers, with a statement obtained by Fox 32 Chicago reading, in part, "As part of our annual workforce planning and budgeting process, CPS evaluates staffing and resource allocations to ensure we are meeting the evolving needs of students and schools."

However, it would appear not everyone is convinced of this.

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"I feel like there’s a disconnect between the students, the parents, the staff, and the teachers, as well as the community," Lena Mitchell, a local parent of two, told Fox 32.

Unfortunately, the reality is that budget issues — rather than just the natural realignment of the workforce — may be the cause. And this is a trend happening nationwide.

Teacher layoffs in Chicago cause turmoil

The teacher layoffs are causing some controversy in Chicago because, as mentioned, there is some disagreement over why the cuts are happening.

The district claims that the cuts are normal and that the layoffs that occurred are close to the same number that occurred last year, when 1,410 workers were laid off — 80% of whom ended up finding new jobs within the district before the next school year.

CPS also claims that the cuts have nothing to do with the fact that it is facing around a $700 million budget deficit that could grow to $1.3 billion over the next five years without new revenue or reduced expenses.

However, the teacher’s union made clear they think the cuts are driven by a funding issue.

The Chicago Teachers Union said in a statement, "Pedro Martinez [the former CEO of CPS] misled the public about the funds available for students and educators this coming year. Now we’re seeing proposed cuts to special education, to bilingual education, layoffs, and more. CPS needs to partner with CTU to win more revenue from the state."

The union also compared the cuts to moves made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the federal level, and warned about "the need to prevent backsliding likely to occur because of Governor [JB] Pritzker not passing a budget that meets the state’s funding obligations or not addressing the Trump cuts to education."

Community meetings were held earlier in July to give the public a chance to weigh in. However, the reality is a budget shortfall is going to have to be dealt with, somehow.

"We’re going to have to make some really hard decisions," CPS interim CEO and current Superintendent Macquline King told reporters.

"There will have to be a menu of solutions that we’ll have to employ to balance the budget, however, whatever that menu of solutions will be, will have to be one that protects the cuts from the classroom."

Unfortunately, Chicago’s teachers and school staff are not the only ones coping with an uncertain future. Changes are happening on the federal level, and with President Donald Trump withholding $6.8 billion in education funding, many professionals in the field of education have already been fired nationwide. And more layoffs could follow.

With the Trump administration aiming to reduce the number of workers at the Department of Education by nearly 50%, grant programs focused on recruiting, training and retaining qualified teachers are also being cut.

With the Learning Policy Institute reporting a shortage of more than 110,000 teachers in 2023 to 2024 that could grow to a shortage of 200,000 as early as 2026, the federal cuts could be devastating. They could leave schools unprepared to provide students the education they need, particularly in hard-hit areas, like rural locations, and fields like special education that require advanced training.

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How can educators prepare for layoffs?

Some teachers may be aware of coming layoffs, or at least suspect them as a result of budget issues in their district. For others, both in education and in any other field, layoffs can come as a complete surprise.

The reality is, almost anyone could lose their job at any time, so whether you know a layoff is coming or not, you should take steps to be financially prepared in case one happens.

Keep fixed costs to a reasonable percentage of income. Avoid spending more than around 50% of what you make. That way, you can live on less for a while if you have to.

Maintain a fully funded emergency fund. You should have a minimum of three to six months of living expenses, preferably in a high-yield savings account, to cover your costs as you look for another job.

Keep your debt to a minimum. This also helps you save more money, since you aren’t paying interest, and it ensures you don’t have big payments to make after a layoff

Maintain a strong professional network. Try to keep in regular contact with peers, join professional groups in your area and maintain a presence on networking sites. That way, you’ll have lots of people to reach out to if you’re laid off and need help finding a job.

Advance your skills. If you are always improving at what you do, you may be less likely to be laid off — and more likely to be able to quickly find a job if the worst happens. Consider doing things like taking courses, gaining new certifications or working with a mentor to become better at what you do.

Following these tips can help you be better prepared if or when a layoff happens. If you know when it is coming, you can also:

• Start looking into health insurance options for when you are unemployed. Healthcare.gov is a great resource to find plans, which you may get subsidized.

• Research unemployment benefits and other benefits that may be available to you. Benefits.gov is a good option to find these resources.

• Explore whether you may be eligible for severance. If you have a union contract, you may have guaranteed pay coming. Otherwise, you could talk with an employment lawyer for help in negotiating an agreement.

• Cut your spending further, eliminating all but the essentials.

It’s also a good time to start networking more aggressively, on sites like LinkedIn, and regularly checking recruiting sites.

What to read next

• Financial aid only funds about 27% of US college expenses — but savvy parents are using this 3-minute move to cover 100% of those costs
• Here are the 6 levels of wealth for retirement-age Americans — are you near the top or bottom of the pyramid?
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• 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.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Months after wildfires in California displaced thousands of residents and spurred a massive housing crisis in Los Angeles County, the ongoing impact points to a larger — and unquestionably disturbing — trend.

As extreme weather events increase in both frequency and severity, a growing number of insurers are pulling out of disaster-prone regions. That could make homeownership even less attainable in the future.

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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

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently testified before the Senate Banking Committee and was asked about the availability of mortgages in states like California.

His response?

“Those banks and insurance companies are pulling out of areas, coastal areas and … areas where there are a lot of fires,” Powell told the committee. “So what that’s going to mean is if you fast-forward 10 or 15 years, there are going to be regions of the country where you can’t get a mortgage.”

Why insurers pulling out is a problem

Climate change-driven foreclosures are estimated to cost insurers $1.21 billion in losses for 2025, according to a report from First Street. This is no surprise, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 60% chance of an above-average hurricane season this year — with three to five major hurricanes forecasted.

This is in addition to the challenges caused by the wildfires in California at the start of the year — estimated to have cost insurers and reinsurers $50 billion in collective losses.

But with more insurance companies pulling out of disaster-prone states, homeowners’ options for coverage are whittling down.

It’s common practice for mortgage lenders to require borrowers to have homeowners’ insurance in place before giving out loans. But the requirement to carry homeowners insurance doesn’t end there.

You’re typically required to maintain homeowners’ insurance while you’re in the process of paying off your mortgage. If your insurance is canceled, your mortgage lender will typically be notified. If you don’t then find replacement insurance, your lender could compel you to use insurance it procures for you, known as force-placed insurance.

Between 2021 and 2024, average homeowners’ insurance premiums increased by 24%, according to the Consumer Federation of America.

The cost to insure homes in disaster-prone states has also risen at a significantly faster rate than the national average. Between 2018 and 2022, consumers living in the top 20% of the at-risk zip codes paid $2,321 in average annual premiums, according to a Treasury Department report. This is 82% higher than those residing in the 20% of lowest risk zip codes.

In high-risk areas like Utah, premiums surged by roughly 59% over the last three years, while several insurers like Allstate and State Farm have pulled out of Florida and California.

Finding affordable insurance coverage

Insuring your home shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.

You can compare offers from leading home insurance providers near you for free through OfficialHomeInsurance.com. Simply enter some basic information about yourself and the type of home you own, and OfficialHomeInsurance will browse through their database of over 200 insurers and display the lowest quotes in just two minutes.

By comparing your options and selecting the best rate available, you could save an average of $482 per year on premiums.

On this easy-to-use platform, you can read reviews of various insurance providers, and once you select the one you like, set up a free introductory call with your preferred provider, with no obligation to hire.

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What to do if your homeowners insurance is cancelled

When your homeowners insurance is cancelled, it’s important to find out why. If it’s due to a specific issue with your home, there may be steps you can take to remedy it. But if it’s part of a broad pullback at the county or state level, your options may be more limited.

You could, of course, shop for replacement insurance. But you may not have many affordable options.

In that situation, your best bet may be a FAIR plan. Short for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements, FAIR programs are state-run and provide insurance coverage for homeowners who can’t get it the conventional way, due to living in a high-risk area.

The problem, though, is that FAIR plans can be pretty basic, offering only coverage for dwelling and personal property. This means you may not be able to get loss of use or liability coverage.

Worse yet, FAIR plans commonly only insure homes at their cash value, as opposed to their replacement cost value — meaning, the amount of money it would take to rebuild. Such is the situation a number of Los Angeles wildfire victims are in now, where they’re entitled to some payout from their insurance, but not enough to rebuild the properties they’ve lost.

That’s why it’s important to research insurance coverage options before buying a home. And if you find that your options are limited, consider it a red flag.

If you’re considering a move

If you’re currently living in a disaster-prone area, you may be considering a move out-of-state.

Mortgage Research Center (MRC) can help you quickly compare rates and estimated monthly payments for your new mortgage from multiple vetted lenders. All you have to do is enter some basic information about yourself: your zip code, desired property type, price range and annual income.

Based on the information you provide, MRC will show you mortgage offers tailored to your needs so you can shop for a mortgage with confidence.

After you match with a lender, you can set up a free no-obligation consultation to see if you’ve found the right fit.

What to read next

• Financial aid only funds about 27% of US college expenses — but savvy parents are using this 3-minute move to cover 100% of those costs
• Here are the 6 levels of wealth for retirement-age Americans — are you near the top or bottom of the pyramid?
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• 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.

Retiring in a warm climate sounds like a good idea, no matter where you’re from or what time of year it is.

And it’s not just because cold weather cuts into beach and shuffleboard time. The high-temperature states are also where the discerning American retiree finds the most favorable tax rules.

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• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• 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
• 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

If you’re looking to retire to a place that’s not only warm but also keeps thirsty governments away from your hard-earned, post-career assets, you have options. Some U.S. states even have a golden combination of temperate climates, no income taxes, no pension taxes, and no taxes on distributions from retirement plans — regardless of your age or wealth.

Florida

Let’s get the obvious choice out of the way: The Sunshine State is very hospitable to retirees and their money. The state famously lacks a state income tax, which means you won’t pay any tax on your pension.

Assuming you can stomach the state’s real estate costs and the occasional hurricane, your 401(k) and IRA distributions will go further since Florida doesn’t tax distributions from those plans. And Social Security? No taxes on that, either.

Nevada

Retiring to the Silver State is a safe bet, since Nevada is another state that doesn’t have income tax, which like Florida means no taxes on pensions, retirement plan distributions or Social Security.

Nevada is home to many of the nation’s top retirement destination towns, with the suburbs outside of Las Vegas offering the tempting combination of warmer temperatures in winter and access to casinos and other entertainment year-round.

Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

Texas

Though recent winter conditions have proven challenging even for Texas, you can generally expect to stay warm in the Lone Star State. The tax breaks will warm your heart, too.

Texas doesn’t tax state income. Nor does it tax Social Security, pension income or distributions from retirement plans. Those factors, combined with a general lower cost of living and comparatively lower real estate costs, make Texas an attractive landing spot.

But government money lost to those tax breaks has to come from somewhere, which explains why the state has some of the nation’s highest property tax rates.

Tennessee

If it’s good enough for Dolly Parton, why not you too?

There’s no income tax in this state, which means residents of Tennessee don’t pay taxes on their pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs or Social Security benefits. The state also boasts a low cost of living, including low property taxes.

And if you’re looking for company in your golden years, Tennessee is also home to a number of retirement communities, which it promotes through the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

Honorable mention: Hawaii

What about that other idyllic landing spot, Hawaii?

Unfortunately, Hawaii doesn’t quite make the cut: While Social Security income isn’t taxed in the state, private pensions and retirement plan distributions are.

Of course, there’s a good chance that if you’re even considering Hawaii — with its high cost of living and soaring real estate valuations — you’ve probably determined that you can survive those levies.

What to read next

• Financial aid only funds about 27% of US college expenses — but savvy parents are using this 3-minute move to cover 100% of those costs
• Here are the 6 levels of wealth for retirement-age Americans — are you near the top or bottom of the pyramid?
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• 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 California utility provider is sounding the alarm after more than 2,500 scam reports have poured in this year alone. PG&E says scammers are impersonating its employees in highly aggressive phone calls.

The caller ID may even say PG&E, and the person on the line sounds calm and professional. They claim you’ve missed a payment and demand immediate action — often using Zelle, a prepaid card or another untraceable method. If you don’t comply, they threaten to cut your power within the hour.

It’s a nightmare scenario for anyone already stressed about bills. And it’s working: around 250 Bay Area residents have fallen victim this year, losing an average of about $900 each. That’s over $225,000 in confirmed losses, and officials suspect many more people paid up but never reported it.

“They’re very slick and very deceptive.” PG&E spokesman Jason King told KGO News. “They continue to refine their tactics.”

Don’t miss

• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• 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
• 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

How to spot and stop the scam

Scammers thrive on pressure and panic. Their goal is to make you act before you think.

Real utility companies like PG&E have clear, consistent billing procedures. They don’t demand immediate payment or threaten disconnection without warning. They also won’t ask you to pay using gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or apps like Zelle or Venmo.

If you get a suspicious call:

• Hang up immediately. Don’t engage.
• Call the number on your utility bill or PG&E’s official website to confirm your account status.
• Never give out personal or payment information unless you’ve verified the caller.

If someone shows up at your door:

• Ask for official photo ID — real employees will have it.
• Refuse entry if you feel unsure and call the utility directly.

PG&E urges customers to slow down, verify before paying, and report any suspicious behavior.

Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

Why utility scams are so common — and so successful

Utility impostor scams are big businesses. The Federal Trade Commission says Americans lost over $2.9 billion to impostor scams in 2024 alone. Utility scams alone had a median loss of $463 per victim, per the Better Business Bureau.

What makes these scams so effective is the emotional pressure. Nobody wants their power shut off, especially in a household with children, elderly relatives, or medical needs.

“While scammers often target elderly and vulnerable populations, customers in all age groups are reporting utility impostor scam incidents that take place online, on the phone, and in person,” said Monica Martinez, Executive Director of Utilities United Against Scams.

Scammers also know how to exploit technology. They spoof caller ID, copy logos, and mirror real billing language to create a sense of legitimacy. Once they’ve created panic and established authority, they push for payment using untraceable methods, ensuring they can’t be caught.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

Unfortunately, recovering money from a utility scam can be difficult, but there are steps you can take.

If you’ve sent money to a scammer:

• Contact your bank or card issuer immediately. Explain you’ve been scammed and ask if the payment can be reversed or frozen.
• Report the incident to PG&E. They may not be able to refund your money, but they track scam patterns and coordinate with law enforcement.
• File a police report. This helps with bank claims and contributes to broader investigations.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
• Tell others. Share your experience with friends, neighbors, and on social media. Raising awareness is one of the best ways to prevent future scams.

These scams rely on secrecy. By speaking up, you help protect your community.

What to read next

• Financial aid only funds about 27% of US college expenses — but savvy parents are using this 3-minute move to cover 100% of those costs
• Here are the 6 levels of wealth for retirement-age Americans — are you near the top or bottom of the pyramid?
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• 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.