John Matarese

John Matarese

Consumer Reporter

John is the “Don’t Waste Your Money” consumer reporter for Scripps, featuring money saving reports and scam alerts that are shared with more than 40 Scripps TV stations from his home base at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati. He is most proud of being able to help people who have been taken advantage of unfairly, and to warn others not to fall into the same situation. Whether it is alerting viewers to fake job scams, fighting an unfair rent hike, or saving money on the weekly grocery bill, John’s goal is to help everyday people save for a better future, and avoid the thousands of cons that are trying to separate us from our hard-earned money.

Recent Work
Smiling airport worker taking passport and air ticket from tourist with backpack.
ShutterstockLife

Should you fly or drive for your summer travel this year?

Line of RVs parked along a road.
ShutterstockLife

As camper shortage ends, is now the time to buy?

Judy Wolff stands in her damaged riverfront home in Fort Myers, Fla.
APLife

Why drain backup insurance is so essential to have

Storm damage in Norman, Oklahoma.
Alonzo Adams/APLife

Spring storm season is here: How to avoid weather-related scams

A variety of breakfast cereal at the grocery store.
ShutterstockLife

Forget eggs; inflation is now hitting the breakfast cereal aisle

Facebook logo
APTech

Is Facebook planning to charge money? Meta Verified explained

A key with a house keychain.
ShutterstockU.S.

All-cash offers making home buying tougher; here's how to compete

Man with blindfold sleeping.
ShutterstockLife

Time change ruining your sleep? Simple ways to fall asleep faster

The 2019 Kia Sorento is unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
AP Photo/Jae C. HongBusiness

A free fix should finally end Hyundai and Kia thefts

Medicare graphic
ShutterstockLife

Scam alert: Fake Medicare calls targeting recipients

Person typing on laptop keyboard.
APTech

Data breach? Here's what you should do immediately

A payment screen allowing a customer to choose a tip amount.
APLife

Tipping fatigue: Are requests for tips getting out of control?

A couple and a child sit outside a home.
Matt Rourke/APLife

Family moves into dream rental home, finds it's a scam

Someone takes a photo of a car
StoryblocksLife

Auto insurance rates jumping sharply: Here's what you can do

A man carries heart-shaped balloons at a flower market
Aaron Favila / APLife

How to do Valentine's Day on a budget without looking cheap

A bouquet of flowers
Christopher Furlong / Getty ImagesLife

How to save on Valentine's Day flowers, as inflation hits roses hard

A workman cuts sections of a bean.
Rogelio V. Solis / APU.S.

Planning a home project? Here's how supplies, prices will be in 2023

Person holding a stack of credit cards.
Elise Amendola / APLife

Try the 'Frugal February Challenge' to help rebuild your savings

A person joins in on a Zoom call on their laptop
ShutterstockBusiness

Scammers luring job hunters with fake remote jobs

A man uses a laptop.
Scripps NewsLife

6 easy ways to make your phone and laptop last longer

The Airbnb app icon.
Patrick Semansky / APLife

How to navigate recent Airbnb changes

Woman browses shelves of a salvage grocery store.
Jamie-Andrea Yanak / APLife

Salvage grocery stores are booming as food prices soar

A person puts a stamp on their tax returns.
San Francisco Chronicle / APLife

Tax season has begun. Here's how to prepare, avoid a refund delay

Consumers shop for groceries.
Nam Y. Huh / APLife

It's not just eggs; other foods are up sharply in price

Shoppers walk into an ALDI store.
APLife

Discount fashion find could be hitting more grocery stores near you

A used car lot.
Gene J. Puskar / APBusiness

Some popular used cars are no longer affordable to average buyers

Internal Revenue Service tax forms.
Keith Srakocic / APLife

Why you can expect a smaller IRS tax refund this year

U.S. currency and credit cards.
Jenny Kane / APLife

Tips To Help You Achieve Financial New Year's Resolutions

A convenience store employee sells lottery tickets to a customer.
APLife

Great Last-Minute Gifts At Your Local Convenience Store

A man shovels snow.
APLife

9 Ways To Protect Your Home And Car From The Bitter Cold