Rachel DePompa

Investigative reporter

Rachel DePompa is NBC12's On Your Side Investigator. Rachel grew up in Waldorf, Md., and graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in broadcast journalism.Before joining WWBT in March of 2008 Rachel worked in Roanoke, Bristol and Harrisonburg.

Awards:

5 Edward R Murrow Awards for Investigative Reporting
2016 Most Outstanding Effort by an Individual Reporter from the Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters
3-time Emmy winner, 5 time Emmy nominee
5 first place honors from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters

Education:

University of Maryland, Journalism

Recent Articles by Rachel

Watching Your Wallet: How to become a 401(k) millionaire

From using a specialized retirement plan to considering using a "robo advisor," experts explain how you can grow your retirement savings.

Rachel DePompa

Published January 20, 2020 at 10:56 AM

Watching Your Wallet: Make smart money moves before 2020

From maxing out retirement contributions to checking your car insurance rates, experts say there are a few smart financial steps to take before the new year starts.

Rachel DePompa

Published December 27, 2019 at 3:47 PM

Watching Your Wallet: Don’t break your gift budget this holiday season

Americans plan to spend an average of $825 on holiday gifts this year, according to NerdWallet. Experts give you ways to stay on budget and find the best deals.

Rachel DePompa

Published November 25, 2019 at 11:53 AM

Hidden Damage: Wrecked, flooded border patrol truck sold at dealership without damage declared

A Virginia man bought a car from a dealership. The title and history looked clear, but it turned out the truck had a dangerous history.

Rachel DePompa

Published October 31, 2019 at 7:03 AM

Watching Your Wallet: Decade-by-decade, experts help you save for retirement

By retirement, financial experts say you should have at least eight times your annual salary saved up. NerdWallet explains how to get there, decade-by-decade.

Rachel DePompa

Published August 5, 2019 at 11:26 AM

Watching Your Wallet: Experts say to shop around for the best deals on car insurance and cell phone plans

A NerdWallet financial expert offers tips on saving money on car insurance and cell phone bills: Watch this and don't pay for what you don't need.

Rachel DePompa

Published July 1, 2019 at 1:35 PM

Watching Your Wallet: Make the most of your summer vacation

A frequent traveler and financial expert give their tips for saving money when booking flights and hotels.

Rachel DePompa

Published June 3, 2019 at 10:35 AM

Watching Your Wallet: Spring housing market secrets revealed

Want to get top dollar for your home this spring? Or are you looking to buy your first home? NerdWallet gives tips for those on both sides of the equation.

Rachel DePompa

Published May 13, 2019 at 10:49 AM

DNA Detectives: Scientists combining forensics with genealogy break ‘unsolvable’ cases

Scientists are using forensic genetics to help solve decades-old cold cases.

Rachel DePompa

Published May 6, 2019 at 12:20 PM

Digital rollbacks: Millions of cars have false mileage on odometers

Carfax experts say there are potentially more than one million cars on the roads with false odometer readings - meaning their mileage has been rolled back to make the vehicles look like they have less wear and tear.

Rachel DePompa

Published April 26, 2019 at 8:02 PM

Watching Your Wallet: Experts give advice on reining in your tax refund

Rather than taking a tax refund check and splurging on a quick shopping spree, NerdWallet advises people make smart spending – or saving - plans.

Rachel DePompa

Published April 12, 2019 at 10:12 AM

Watching Your Wallet: Thousands of consumer complaints hidden in federal watchdog database

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides information about financial institutions, including complaints. But NerdWallet and InvestigateTV have found examples of complaints that don't show up in the database.

Rachel DePompa

Published March 18, 2019 at 12:53 PM

Mystery charges? It could be from a new game kids are playing

Apex Legends has only been out a few weeks, but it’s already blowing Fortnite records out of the water.

Rachel DePompa

Published March 15, 2019 at 10:48 AM

Tax refunds may be delayed due to IRS backlog

A new report from the tax payer advocate service finds there’s a huge backlog at the IRS, which is translating into paperwork delays and taxpayers’ calls for helps going unanswered.

Rachel DePompa

Published February 21, 2019 at 7:12 AM

Multiple sex offenders found on Facebook despite ban

Under Facebook's policies, convicted sex offenders are not allowed on the site; however, InvestigateTV identified multiple offenders who appeared to have recently active profiles.

Rachel DePompa and Jamie Grey

Published February 3, 2019 at 4:40 PM

New Apple scam more sophisticated than usual

This email scam looks like a legit email from Apple and contains a link to dispute that purchase.

Rachel DePompa

Published January 14, 2019 at 1:54 PM

Watching Your Wallet: How much could you earn if you invested your coffee money?

Financial experts from NerdWallet say saving and investing as little as $20 a week can amount to $170,000 in retirement money.

Rachel DePompa

Published January 3, 2019 at 10:46 AM

Scam alert for 2019: ‘Shimming’ is the new skimming

This method is similar to card skimmers, but a new technique targets the chip in your card that’s supposed to help prevent identity theft.

Rachel DePompa

Published January 1, 2019 at 9:50 PM

Parents beware: Watch out for Fortnite charges on your credit card

An Ohio mom recently got a fraud alert from her credit card company, telling her about $950 in charges on her card were made through her sons' accounts.

Rachel DePompa

Published December 26, 2018 at 11:17 AM

Watching Your Wallet: Strengthen your financial fitness before 2019

While many people think about health and wellness resolutions for the new year, financial experts recommend thinking about money goals too.

Rachel DePompa

Published December 3, 2018 at 10:27 AM

Watching Your Wallet: Company offering to help lower student debt under investigation

A company offering to help people reduce their student loan debt is now under investigation. One St. Louis woman says her debt actually increased after trying to work with the company.

Rachel DePompa

Published November 5, 2018 at 10:39 AM

Watching Your Wallet: Will Social Security be there when you retire?

Research shows many Americans are concerned with whether Social Security will be available when they retire, but many aren’t saving. NerdWallet experts help explain the realities of Social Security and what you can do.