Many people use both credit and debit cards interchangeably out of habit. The main difference between a debit and a credit card purchase is that a debit card creates a DIRECT link to your bank account and money can be taken out quickly. Generally, a debit card is fine for most things, but the following 4 purchases should be made with a credit card whenever possible:

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Are you hoping to buy your first home this year? If so, check out the special event that we have coming up during National Consumer Protection Week on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 – you won’t want to miss it!

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With today's announcement from Blockbuster that it has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, many consumers may wonder what this specifically means to them as a customer. The answer in this case is, not a whole lot. According to Blockbuster, their online and retail stores will remain open while the company attempts to restructure and reorganize to help alleviate the debt it has accumulated.

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Yesterday, we released information from the Consumer Sentinel Network regarding Texas having the 3rd highest rate of identity theft in the nation per capita last year. However, identity theft was only a sub-category of overall fraud in the report. So how did Texas do in fraud complaints? Much better actually...Only the 30th highest rate of fraud complaints in the nation. As far as the cities in Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas go, out of 384 metropolitan areas nationwide, they were ranked as follows:

Austin - 91st
Corpus Christi - 338th
Killeen/Temple/Ft. Hood - 98th
Laredo - 382nd
San Antonio - 219th
Victoria - 359th
Waco - 361st

As you can see, most of the cities in your BBB's service area rate relatively well in fraud claims. However, the average Texan reported losing approximately $2,200 so the circumstances are still not very good for fraud victims. Remember to keep your personal information safe and be careful online. And keep your calendar open for BBB's Shred Day on April 10th so you can dispose of your sensitive documents properly and have them recycled.