Investigations

Investigations

The U.S. Department of Education announced it is resuming collections on any federal student...

What you need to know about defaulted student loans after Education Department’s collections notice

Updated: Apr. 25, 2025 at 9:48 AM CDT|By Caresse JackmanIn a press release issued April 25, the Department of Education announced that its Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will resume collections of its defaulted federal student loan portfolio on Monday, May 5.

National Team Investigations

Lead Out: Flint residents still grapple with lead pipes as removal efforts ramp up across U.S.

Lead Out: Flint residents still grapple with lead pipes as removal efforts ramp up across U.S.

Updated: Apr. 22, 2024 at 10:58 AM CDT|By Caresse Jackman, Daniela Molina and Owen HornsteinStates worry that the proposed rule to remove lead-tainted water pipes by October 16 is unrealistic.

Home

Isabel Patterson tries to stay in control of her finances while opening ever bill and checking...

Repair Despair: Federal agencies warn about fake for-profit debt relief programs

Updated: Jan. 8, 2024 at 11:12 AM CST|By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompaAt least 54 million U.S. adults have been in credit card debt for the last year according to a new study, and some might still be paying off debt they accumulated during the holidays last year. Credit card balances are increasing faster than any other type of debt – putting consumers in vulnerable positions. But government agencies are warning of a new scam with credit debt relief programs convincing consumers that they can fix their problem by just paying a small “fee”.

Investigations

Fake reviews are on the rise and now companies are asking consumers to remove reviews to skew...

Five Star Fakes: Federal government proposes new rule to hold companies accountable for fake reviews

Updated: Oct. 23, 2023 at 11:17 AM CDT|By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompaThe federal government is looking to crack down on fake reviews for products and services you buy online. The Federal Trade Commission is proposing a new rule to help consumers make better decisions.

Consumer

The Hospital Price Transparency Final Rule was billed as a way to maximize transparency by...

The Price You Pay: Hospitals are posting procedure costs online, but consumers say price tags can still be hard to find

Updated: Aug. 7, 2023 at 12:29 PM CDT|By Daniela Molina, Rachel DePompa and Payton RomansHospitals across the country are supposed to post their prices online to make it easier for consumers to shop around and choose the best option. But more than two years after federal transparency rule went into effect, consumers still have trouble finding prices on hospital websites.

Teens Targeted

Lawmakers in the Senate are trying to strengthen the nation’s centralized reporting system for...

Teens Targeted: Lawmakers push for bipartisan legislation to combat sextortion cases

Updated: Jul. 21, 2023 at 2:19 PM CDT|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela MolinaState and federal law enforcement agencies report a ride in sextortion cases, where children and teens are being coerced into sending sexually explicit images or videos online and then extorted for money. Now, lawmakers in the Senate are trying to strengthen the nation’s centralized reporting system for online child exploitation.

Investigations

A photo of a smart phone showing a text message bubble with the words "financial sextortion"

Teens Targeted: Funding and resources remain a constant challenge as law enforcement tackles sextortion and internet crimes

Updated: Jul. 17, 2023 at 12:36 PM CDT|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela MolinaAs the rise of a new form of blackmail targets teens, a father shares his son's story about the crime and how internet crime task forces are working to combat those crimes with limited funding and resources.

News

Nearly $200 billion in pandemic unemployment payments ‘could have been improper’

Nearly $200 billion in pandemic unemployment payments ‘could have been improper’

Updated: Jul. 12, 2023 at 3:38 PM CDT|By Caresse JackmanBillions of dollars in unemployment pandemic benefits potentially given to fraudsters. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman talks to the DOL and ITRC to explain what steps are being taken to strengthen security.

Teens Targeted

A photograph of two teens seated on a couch, seen from behind looking at a television screen....

Sextortion cases rise across the country; child abduction survivor speaks out to raise awareness

Updated: Jul. 10, 2023 at 1:24 PM CDT|By Caresse Jackman and Daniela MolinaAccording to experts, cases of the new form of blackmailing affecting young children, teens and adults have increased exponentially in the past two years.

Investigations

Doctors across the country say the emergency medical kits on commercial flights sometimes fall...

Emergency Medical Kits are essential to saving airline passengers, but doctors say regulations are outdated

Updated: May 1, 2023 at 12:59 PM CDT|By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompaDoctors across the country are sounding the alarm on emergency medical kits, commonly known as EMKs, on commercial flights saying sometimes they fall short and could be outdated. The Federal Aviation Administration hasn't updated the requirement for items on these kits for almost two decades, leaving it up to airlines to decide what to add.

Consumer

It's a common site on our roadways, vehicles without lights. We found out why.

Phantom Vehicles: Putting your family in danger

Updated: Apr. 10, 2023 at 12:39 PM CDT|By Brendan KeefeManufacturers have introduced fixes, but many are still unknowingly driving at night with their headlights or taillights off.

Consumer

Millions of Americans filed for unemployment in the spring of 2020. The $2.2 trillion Cares...

Fraud Files: Pandemic relief unemployment fraud predicted to top $60 billion; government addresses issue

Updated: Mar. 13, 2023 at 4:46 PM CDT|By Caresse JackmanAfter a woman received multiple letters from the state unemployment office addressed to different people, she wonders if her mail is tied to criminal activity.

Health

Patients can get sticker shock after visiting the ER, sometimes finding even small procedures...

Costly Care: Unexpected medical bill from ER leaves one woman pushing for reform

Updated: Mar. 6, 2023 at 12:51 PM CST|By Caresse JackmanEmergency room visits can mean unexpectedly large bills. Experts say patients can look line-by-line at bills to see if there's any room to negotiate or dispute charges.

Consumer

Finding child care can be difficult for parents, and it's important to ask detailed questions...

Daycare Dilemma: How parents navigate unlicensed and licensed child care systems across the country

Updated: Feb. 27, 2023 at 12:11 PM CST|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaAccording to a ChildCare Aware study, in 2021 the national average price of child care in the U.S. was more than $10,000 annually. Availability has also become an issue post-pandemic as childcare providers struggle to meet staffing needs. These factors both play a role when it comes to parents choosing the best option for their kids, with some turning to in-home daycares to fill in the gap. However, some home daycares are unlicensed with little or no regulation.

Health

Vanessa Garcia Clark and her husband Andres received an unexpected bill their insurance...

Costly Care: Lack of insurance options in midwifery care leaves new mothers confused

Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 9:53 AM CST|By Caresse JackmanSome insurance plans only cover midwives with particular training or with nursing degrees. One couple was shocked to receive a big bill after giving birth.

Consumer

Imagine paying your debt and having it disappear from your credit report, only to see it...

Zombie Debt: Settled and unearned debts haunt consumer credit reports for years

Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 3:51 PM CST|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaImagine paying your debt and having it disappear from your credit report, only to see it resurrected years later haunting your credit score. It’s called “zombie debt”, and while it may sound like a term out of a horror film, Jesse James shares his personal story dealing with this issue that plagues consumers, even forcing some to take legal action against collection agencies for debts they’ve already paid.

Defective

Learn how to check for product reviews and recalls using various tools.

Defective: How to look up dangerous product reports and recalls

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 3:16 PM CST|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaConsumer investigative reporter Rachel DePompa explains how to check for product complaints and recalls before you buy.

Investigations

Unemployment payments kept many Americans afloat during the pandemic, but con artists were...

Fraud Files: Billions in federal funds meant to help unemployed stolen by scammers

Updated: Jan. 2, 2023 at 10:07 AM CST|By Caresse JackmanUnemployment payments kept many Americans afloat during the pandemic, but con artists were also running scams to steal taxpayer dollars. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over two years nearly $900 billion in emergency assistance was paid out, but among that aid was billions of dollars lost to potential fraud. Consumer investigator Caresse Jackman investigates where the money went and what’s being done to protect your tax dollars in the future.

Investigations

A look at the popular online payment plan and what experts say are potential pitfalls for...

Buy Now, Pay Later: Online payment plan exponentially expanding, but experts and officials eye more regulation and urge consumer caution

Updated: Nov. 21, 2022 at 3:59 PM CST|By Daniela Molina and Rachel DePompa“Buy Now, Pay Later” – is a type of short-term loan that has taken the American marketplace by storm. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. consumers borrowed $2 billion via “BNPL” in 2019. In 2021 that number grew by more than 1,000 percent to $24.2 billion. Companies like Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna and PayPal have created these loans for borrowers to purchase everything from high-end electronics and jewelry to everyday staples like groceries and utilities.

Consumer

In a 2022 study presented to the National Bureau of Economic Research, data showed that phony...

Five Star Fakes: Amazon targets social media brokers in attempt to crack down on fake online reviews

Updated: Oct. 17, 2022 at 2:57 PM CDT|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaAccording to the World Economic Forum, fake online reviews cost businesses and consumers $152 billion a year. BrightLocal research found 82% of consumers have read a fake review in the last year. Now, one of the largest retailers in the world is fighting back, as Amazon is suing the administrators of more than 11,000 Facebook Groups.

Investigations

In a 2022 study presented to the National Bureau of Economic Research, data showed that phony...

Five Star Fakes: Small business owners feel big impact from fake online reviews

Updated: Oct. 17, 2022 at 2:56 PM CDT|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaIn a 2022 study presented to the National Bureau of Economic Research, data showed that phony testimonies cost customers an extra $0.12 cents for each dollar spent – meaning you could spend up to an extra 12 percent because of fake reviews. But fake online reviews don’t always have an immediate financial impact, some small businesses are seeing their reputations damaged from a barrage of untrue testimonials.

Investigations

Millions of Americans face literacy challenges and when election day comes, the voting booth...

The fight against an age-old effort to block Americans from voting

Updated: Sep. 12, 2022 at 11:12 AM CDT|By Aliyya Swaby and Annie WaldmanAs a new wave of restrictions makes voting harder for people who struggle to read — now 1 in 5 Americans — people like Olivia Coley-Pearson have taken up the fight, even if it makes her a target.

Investigations

Military members and veterans make a commitment to service, but many say they are being let...

Service Delayed: Military members and veterans lodge thousands of complaints over credit report mistakes

Updated: Aug. 29, 2022 at 1:47 PM CDT|By Caresse JackmanMilitary members and veterans make a commitment to service, but many say they are being let down when it comes to financial protection. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman looks into the more than 250,000 consumer complaints filed by service members, vets and their families and explains the impact credit mistakes can have on their future in the armed forces and lead to “Service Delayed”.

Investigations

Game Over: Cybercriminals target online gamers

Game Over: Hackers targeting online gamers and taking over accounts to access financial information

Updated: Jul. 25, 2022 at 4:21 PM CDT|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaIt’s a $60 billion a year industry that’s a relentless target for cybercriminals. According to a recent security report, web attacks against the global video game industry grew by 340 % in 2020. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa has the security advice you need before you, or your children, get hacked and it's game over.

Consumer

Fake online reviews cheating businesses and consumers

Five Star Fakes: Fake online reviews cheating businesses and consumers

Updated: Jun. 20, 2022 at 2:46 PM CDT|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaChecking online reviews when shopping, researching vacations or even looking for a doctor has become an integral part of the modern consumer experience. But experts say many of the products or service reviews you’re reading were either bought or sold and completely fake. In “Five Star Fakes”, InvestigateTV found several posts on social media platforms where people are bartering - even buying and selling - online reviews, despite a federal law that prohibits this act.

Consumer

Hackers are using this deepfake tech to target everyday social media users in cryptocurrency...

Swapped Out: Hackers target social media users with high-tech fake videos

Updated: May 16, 2022 at 2:00 PM CDT|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaCutting-edge computer technology designed to mimic the human brain is being used by hackers to create lifelike videos of celebrities and politicians. But now, bad actors are using this readily available tech to target everyday social media users in cryptocurrency scams.

Investigations

A trip to the emergency room can instantly change your life - not just medically, but...

Diagnosed with Debt: Many Americans face financial hardships from crushing unpaid medical bills

Updated: Apr. 18, 2022 at 4:24 PM CDT|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaA trip to the emergency room can instantly change your life - not just medically, but financially as well. Americans are burdened with at least $140 billion in outstanding medical debt according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. But help is out there. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks with experts on the frontline aiding those “Diagnosed with Debt”.

Investigations

Experts say the biggest thing holding most people back from buying a home is the down...

Faked Out: Con artists copycatting social media profiles lure family and friends into scams

Updated: Mar. 21, 2022 at 4:15 PM CDT|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaExperts say hackers aren’t just taking over your social media accounts, but many are stealing pictures and videos to create a completely new you, and in some cases, it’s a profile that’s up to no good.

Investigations

There are two websites you can use to find out whether something you just bought, or have...

Defective: Pair of websites provides consumers vital product recall and complaint information

Updated: Feb. 14, 2022 at 5:23 PM CST|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaThere are two websites you can use to find out whether something you just bought, or have owned for years, has either been recalled or reported as potentially dangerous.

Investigations

Billions of people are interconnected on social media

Locked Out: Losing access to social media accounts can mean big headaches for users

Updated: Feb. 7, 2022 at 2:40 PM CST|By Rachel DePompa and Daniela MolinaPeople use Facebook and Instagram to stay in touch, to share memories, and now more and more, to build a clientele. Hackers have taken advantage of this growth to gain access to people’s accounts, often targeting weak passwords.