Credit Card

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The human remains found in a trash container behind a home this summer belonged to a 27-year-old woman from Florida.  Springfield police have released no information about the remains, but her identity was revealed by Marionville Police Chief Mark Webb, whose nose led investigators to the body. Webb says the woman was Kelly Frech, born July 3, 1984.  In a strange twist of fate, police found her body on July 3, 2012, in the trash container behind 1231 W. Edgewood St., next to Fort Avenue.  That was the home of Adam Bergseth, who was shot dead by Marionville Police Officer Danny Hughes on June 30.  Bergseth attacked the officer with a pair of scissors outside an apartment building in Marionville before Hughes shot him. Webb says Bergseth was driving a car with Florida license plates before he was shot.  It turns out the car was registered to Frech.  Webb says the car smelled as if someone or something had died in it.  That smell is what led Marionville and Springfield police to check out Bergseth's home, where they found the human remains.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- If you're getting a tax refund, you should hold off on a shopping spree.  Financial experts say there are better ways to spend your money, like paying off high-interest debt like credit cards. Our experts say debt reduction should be your first priority.  When faced with paying down several cards or paying one off, consider eliminating a payment.  "Credit card debt, auto loan debt and other installment debt is something you've got to get rid of as soon as possible, so pay that off first," said Jack Thurman with BKD Wealth Advisors.

The recession has hit timeshare owners hard.  Many are now trying to sell their vacation homes, but have instead been confronted with scammers trying to steal their investment.  The problem has become so widespread, the florida Attorney General has an entire website dedicated to timeshare resale fraud.  Unfortunately, Marcia Baker found it too late. Baker has enjoyed the one week a year she gets to spend at Branson's Big Cedar Lodge, but the yearly cost has forced her to try and sell her timeshare there.  "It's gone up to $950 a year.

In today's BBB Brief -- don't let a bad tutor waste your child's time or your money. The Better Business Bureau has received hundreds of complaints nationwide in the last year. Most people weren't satisfied with the results or had a billing problem. Here's a quick lesson for parents: - Do your research.  Does the person or company have a complaint history? - Get referrals.  Ask for referrals from your child's teacher, other parents and friends. - Check the tutor's credentials and make sure he or she is qualified in the right subject area for your child's needs.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's attorney general released the top 10 consumer complaints and scams reported to his office in 2010.  Complaints against debt collectors led the list, with more than 2,200 calls to the Attorney General’s Office from consumers. “Even though you may be responsible for the debt the collectors are calling about, there are federal laws governing just how far the debt collector can go,” Koster said.  “Your best protection against harassing and abusive calls from debt collectors is to know your rights.

Do you spend weeks each spring eagerly anticipating your income tax refund? When the money finally comes in, is it gone tomorrow? You're not alone. Many consumers view tax refunds as unplanned bonuses, but it makes more sense to plan for that new chunk of change so it doesn't go to waste.   “Making smart decisions with your money is a great way to reward yourself for all the hard work you did to earn it,” said Katherine Hutt, spokesperson for the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A woman who used to live in Springfield got the news last week that her name was all over the news as a suspect in a home invasion robbery.  It turns out the suspect wasn't her, or even someone with the same name. Heather Bergen, a Springfield native who now lives in Illinois, called KY3 News on Monday, shortly before Springfield police sent out a correction, to say she wasn't the one involved in the robbery; it was really Casey Aquino. The night of Sept.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- College students will be paying back more debt than ever before.  For the first time ever, total student loan debt has outpaced total credit card debt.  While student loans carry less interest than credit cards, credit counselors says this is still a troubling trend. Student loan debt is increasing at a rate of $2,800 per second.  You can blame it on a bad economy, fewer alternatives and increasing college costs.  Whatever the reason, credit counselors say students should weigh the pros and cons before borrowing money.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Your credit card company could once again be making changes to your account that could cost you.  The Credit Card Accountability Act is meant to protect consumers but credit card companies are finding new ways to make money. The first change is a sky-high interest rate.  The new law limits how much they can raise interest rates on current customers but 30 percent is the new default rate for anyone who doesn't have a stellar credit rating.  "It used to be people with medium credit could get a decent credit card and the rate would it be raised if they didn't pay.  Now, most people start at the top," said Mike Cherry, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Springfield.

SPRNGFIELD, Mo. -- City police say they've seen an increase in the fraudulent use of credit cards, debit cards and checks.  They put out a reminder on Friday for businesses to take extra precautions when people pay using those methods. Police say employees should ask for proper identification from customers using credit cards, debit cards and checks.  People using stolen cards and checks will either leave or ask for the card or check to be returned after being asked for an ID. Police also urge legitimate customers not to be offended when asked for an ID.  They say it's a protection for both customers and businesses.

LEBANON, Mo. – An investigation that lasted more than a year resulted in charges that a woman stole money from a nonprofit agency where she worked.  Tracie Perry of Lebanon is charged with one count of forgery and four counts of fraudulent use of a credit card.  The charity, Family Relief Fund, helps children who are severely ill.  Police say, while Perry worked at the Family Relief Fund in Lebanon, she stole thousands of dollars that was...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- If you're getting a tax refund, you should hold off on a shopping spree.  Financial experts say there are better ways to spend your money, like paying off high-interest debt like credit cards. Our experts say debt reduction should be your first priority.  When faced with paying down several cards or paying one off, consider eliminating a payment.  "Credit card debt, auto loan debt and other installment debt is something you've got to get rid of as soon as possible, so pay that off first," said Jack Thurman with BKD Wealth Advisors.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's attorney general released the top 10 consumer complaints and scams reported to his office in 2010.  Complaints against debt collectors led the list, with more than 2,200 calls to the Attorney General’s Office from consumers. “Even though you may be responsible for the debt the collectors are calling about, there are federal laws governing just how far the debt collector can go,” Koster said.  “Your best protection against harassing and abusive calls from debt collectors is to know your rights.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- From www.groupon.com to www.halfpriceozarks.com, deal-of-the-day websites are hot right now.  Most of the sites offer deals for at least half off at featured merchants.  For example, you pay $10 for a $20 voucher.  But some consumers are finding the deals are only as good as the merchant who offers them. As consignors who gave merchandise to Queen City Emporium continue to fight for their money or merchandise back, now consumers are raising concerns about the store's apparent closure.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- College students will be paying back more debt than ever before.  For the first time ever, total student loan debt has outpaced total credit card debt.  While student loans carry less interest than credit cards, credit counselors says this is still a troubling trend. Student loan debt is increasing at a rate of $2,800 per second.  You can blame it on a bad economy, fewer alternatives and increasing college costs.  Whatever the reason, credit counselors say students should weigh the pros and cons before borrowing money.

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. -- City police say they’ve learned criminals can swipe information on a credit card account without ever touching or even seeing the card.  The police chief call it electronic pickpocketing. By getting within two or three feet of a purse or wallet, thieves can use a credit card reading device to steal personal bank information.  It’s a device that any thief can buy on the Internet. Credit card companies tout the new payWave or pay pass systems as the latest and greatest way to get in and out quickly.

Whether it's because of unemployment, a foreclosure or mounting holiday debt, many of you are looking to the new year to improve your credit score.  More and more banks are pushing prepaid credit and debit cards as a way to meet that goal, but they're not right for everyone. A prepaid credit card is much like a regular credit card, only the credit limit is lower than a regular card and users must first make a security deposit to use it.  A prepaid debit card deducts funds from the amount of money deposited into the account associated with the card.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- It soon could be cheaper for stores to swipe your credit card.  The Federal Reserve wants to limit interchange fees on debit cards; that's what businesses pay the credit card network each time a customer uses a card.  One proposal is to cap those swipe fees at 12 cents per transaction.  That would be good news for store owners but not necessarily for shoppers. With every swipe of a customer's credit or debit card, Sandra Harrison, owner of Gamble's Gift II, has to pay.  "Whatever your bill is, the merchant is going to pay a percentage," she said.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Your credit card company could once again be making changes to your account that could cost you.  The Credit Card Accountability Act is meant to protect consumers but credit card companies are finding new ways to make money. The first change is a sky-high interest rate.  The new law limits how much they can raise interest rates on current customers but 30 percent is the new default rate for anyone who doesn't have a stellar credit rating.  "It used to be people with medium credit could get a decent credit card and the rate would it be raised if they didn't pay.  Now, most people start at the top," said Mike Cherry, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Springfield.

NIXA -- A Nixa man accused of breaking into cars in Taney County has pleaded not guilty. Christ opher Henderson, 22, is charged with tampering with a motor vehicle and stealing a credit card. Officers say Henderson is a person of interest in connection with more than 40 vehicle break-ins reported in Branson this fall. His next court appearance is set for Thursday.