By PATRICIA SABATINI, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Congratulations -- you've won a prize!

Maybe not.

More people reported falling victim to phony prize and sweepstakes awards than any other type of scam last year, the National Consumers League reports.

The Consumer Federation of America is charging that the nation's poorest drivers are being charged unfairly high auto insurance premiums because of discriminatory practices. The organization called on state insurance regulators to do something about it.

Airline passengers frustrated by inconsistencies in how carriers advertise their fares will get some relief next month when a new federal rule kicks in requiring that all government taxes and fees be included in the stated price.

As you do last minute holiday shopping, be forewarned that your bank could be rearranging your debit card transactions, checks and other withdrawals in a way that increases the chances that you overdraw your account multiple times, racking up multiple fees.

It's a practice long decried by consumer groups, and one that continues to confound consumers.

Considering giving your boss a gift for the holidays? Just like Santa who famously makes a list and checks it twice, you ought to think twice about buying the boss a present.

It can be a touchy call, one that you don't want to get wrong.

As Occupy Wall Street protesters decry the gap between rich and poor, you might wonder how your household income and tax bite stack up against your fellow Americans.

New data from the Internal Revenue Service may surprise you.

As group coupon purveyors grow in popularity on the Internet and granddaddy Groupon Inc. prepares to go public, consumer complaints about these types of daily-discount offers are also on the rise, a new survey suggests.

How would you like $200 cash, four free nights at a Marriott or two free round-trip flights to California just for signing up for a credit card?

Bonus offers on credit cards have never been juicier, said Cardratings.com founder Curtis Arnold, who has followed the industry for about 10 years.

Reverse mortgages, which allow older adults to convert some of the equity in their homes into cash, have been a lifeline for many house-rich, cash-poor seniors struggling to get by.

But now, with a growing number of reverse mortgages falling into default, these retirees could end up losing their homes.

Like other deposit rates, interest rates on high-yield checking accounts have been on the skids.

But these accounts, which require customers to jump through a few hoops to earn above average returns, remain the top risk-free place for liquid cash.