Recession brings out the scammers
People in dire financial straits are being targeted by swindlers offering loans, mortgage assistance and extra income. Here’s how to tell real rescues from rip-offs.

5 signs of the recession’s end
It took the government a year to tell us the economy was in a recession; here’s how to tell when we’re out of it.

Managerial Incentives and Corporate Fraud: The Sources of Incentives Matter

Operating performance and stock return results imply that managers who commit fraud anticipate large stock price declines if they were to report truthfully, which would cause greater losses for managerial stockholdings than for options because of differences in convexity. Fraud firms have significantly greater incentives from unrestricted stockholdings than control firms do, and unrestricted stockholdings are their largest incentive source. Our results emphasize the importance of the shape and vesting status of incentive payoffs in providing incentives to commit fraud. Fraud firms also have characteristics that suggest a lower likelihood of fraud detection, which implies lower expected costs of fraud.

5 ways for shoppers to track rewards
Can’t remember your frequent-flier miles, gift cards or shopping club discounts? Go online to monitor your rewards and or even swap for something that better suits you.

Fluke? Credit crisis was a heist
Thanks to a complicit Congress, the reins were systematically loosened on the looters of the financial industry. And they’re still at it, looking for new plunder.

Prosecutors go after Mrs. Madoff’s assets
Federal prosecutors intend to seek the forfeiture of millions of dollars in property and cash held in the name of jailed financier Bernard Madoff and his wife, Ruth. Much of the property is held in Ruth Madoff’s name.

Under 35? Hurray for the meltdown!
If you’re a young adult, the economic clouds have silver linings: You’ve got time to recover from the market’s losses, and you can snag a great deal on your first house.

22 ways to foil credit card thieves
You probably won’t end up paying the bill, but a stolen credit card can still cost you big in time and aggravation. Here’s how to protect yourself online and off.