Rachel DePompa
Investigative reporter

Rachel DePompa is Director of Investigations and a mid-day anchor for NBC12.
Rachel’s been a staple of Richmond television for more than 15 years. She’s won numerous Emmys and has served on the board of the Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Rachel grew up in Waldorf, Md., and graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in broadcast journalism. Rachel also hosts, writes and edits our How We Got Here Podcast.
She got her start in TV anchoring newscasts in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She also worked in Bristol and Roanoke before joining WWBT in March of 2008. Rachel met her husband here in Richmond and loves spending time with her family, which includes twins - a boy and a girl.
Education
Affiliations
Awards
Updated: Aug. 29, 2023 at 4:33 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
When someone passes away, we typically think about handling their physical assets. But what happens with their social media presence and other digital assets? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to Trust & Wills about digital estate planning.
Updated: Aug. 28, 2023 at 3:07 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
A simple trick that could lead to a treat. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa explains why you might want to press pause before you complete your online purchase.
Updated: Aug. 22, 2023 at 3:58 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
If you’re looking for ways to give back, why not start with the people closest to you? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to Money&Mimosas to find out all you need to know about the rise in popularity of giving circles.
Updated: Aug. 21, 2023 at 3:48 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
ITRC reported a record number of data breaches in Q2. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to them about what's going on and how you can protect yourself.
Updated: Aug. 17, 2023 at 3:19 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
If you’ve ever been envious of someone else’s financial situation, you’re not alone. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa shares how to recognize your triggers and reflect on what actually brings you joy.
Updated: Aug. 15, 2023 at 3:59 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
With student loans restarting soon some employers are now helping employees tackle their debt. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to the CEO of Dolr, a site that helps people pay down their debt.
Updated: Aug. 14, 2023 at 3:36 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
43% of Americans are withholding or lying about money to their partner. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to NerdWallet about other findings from their study and more money secrets.
Updated: Aug. 10, 2023 at 2:56 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Job burnout is real, causing many to look for a reprieve from the hustle. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to the founder of Money & Mimosas about taking a break from work via mini retirements.
Updated: Aug. 8, 2023 at 2:32 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
You’re told never to touch your 401(k) but sometimes you may be left without a choice. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to the Virginia Credit Union about the pros and cons of a 401(k) loan.
Updated: Aug. 7, 2023 at 2:19 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Fewer people use paper checks but check fraud has surged in the last year. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to a financial expert from Agili about an old scam making the rounds you need to know about.
Updated: Aug. 7, 2023 at 12:29 PM CDT
|By Daniela Molina, Rachel DePompa and Payton Romans
Hospitals across the country are supposed to post their prices online to make it easier for consumers to shop around and choose the best option. But more than two years after federal transparency rule went into effect, consumers still have trouble finding prices on hospital websites.
Updated: Aug. 3, 2023 at 3:41 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
People are itching to get out and travel after the pandemic, but the vast majority of travelers are experiencing issues. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to Bankrate about what you can do to make your trips a little smoother.
Updated: Aug. 1, 2023 at 2:53 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
When was the last time you shopped around for credit cards? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from Agili on how to make sure you have the right credit card for you.
Updated: Jul. 31, 2023 at 3:40 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
A recent survey found an overwhelming number of younger Americans are struggling to save because of inflation. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa gets expert advice from Bankrate on what you can do to still set some money aside.
Updated: Jul. 27, 2023 at 2:31 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Do you feel worried or stressed when thinking about your finances? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to Money & Mimosas about how to create a weekly “money date” to take the stress out of your finances.
Updated: Jul. 25, 2023 at 3:09 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Looking to learn a new skill or change your career? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks with an expert from edX on how you can up your skills to keep or find a new job.
Updated: Jul. 24, 2023 at 2:19 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
68% of parents with children over the age of 18 say they've made financial sacrifices to help their adult children. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to Bankrate, the group behind this study, who urge parents to balance their own needs with helping their adult children.
Updated: Jul. 20, 2023 at 1:21 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Looking to make your home more energy efficient? You could be eligible for some tax incentives. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa finds out what qualifies and how much money you could save.
Updated: Jul. 18, 2023 at 4:03 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Federal student loan bills will resume in October, meaning the time to start budgeting is now. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from The College Investor about everything you need to know to be prepared.
Updated: Jul. 17, 2023 at 3:00 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
With rent on the rise you may be tempted to go for an apartment with an almost too-good-to-be true price. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa explains the steps to take to avoid the common “fake listing scam.”
Updated: Jul. 13, 2023 at 3:56 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
You’ve likely come across the same security questions when trying to login to an account dozens of times. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to Adam Levin about why it may be safer to make the answer a lie.
Updated: Jul. 11, 2023 at 3:12 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Teaching kids the basics of money management can help them achieve financial success later in life. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to the CEO of BusyKid, an app that helps parents teach their children about money management.
Updated: Jul. 10, 2023 at 3:53 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
According to a recent survey nearly 40% of Americans have a side hustle. Consumer Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from Eventbrite about turning your hobby into cash.
Updated: Jul. 6, 2023 at 4:12 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
College grads will soon have to begin repaying their student loans and there’s a few different ways to go about it. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks with an expert from Virginia Credit Union about available payment plans.
Updated: Jul. 4, 2023 at 10:15 AM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
62 is the age at which you first become eligible for Social Security benefits but there is a big advantage to waiting a year or two to collect SSA. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa explains the pros and cons of an early retirement.
Updated: Jul. 3, 2023 at 1:30 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
If you’re over 50 the time to check how much you’re putting in your 401k is now. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa shares changes to federal regulations that can help you better prepare for retirement.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2023 at 3:10 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Higher interest rates on credit cards means it could take longer to pay off existing debt. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from NerdWallet to find out what you can do to stop debt from lingering and pay it off quicker.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2023 at 3:05 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
If you’re a responsible credit card user why not take advantage of the rewards? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from MoneyTips about some of the unexpected and little-known rewards your credit card may offer you.
Updated: Jun. 26, 2023 at 3:45 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
After months of rising inflation, it could finally be cooling off. But Americans will likely feel its impact for years. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from Bankrate for details and tips.
Updated: Jun. 22, 2023 at 2:36 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Looking for ways to keep your child busy with school out for the summer? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to Eventbrite about ideas to keep the kids off the devices and busy for free, or at least without breaking the bank.
Updated: Jun. 20, 2023 at 3:44 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Have you been dreaming of buying a pool or a boat or special vacation? Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to a financial expert from Agili about ways to save.
Updated: Jun. 15, 2023 at 3:39 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Nearly 90% of Americans save money but less than half are saving enough to cover an emergency. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa spoke to an expert from NerdWallet about ways to boost your savings account.
Updated: Jun. 13, 2023 at 4:11 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Father’s Day is around the corner, and consumers plan to spend almost $23 billion on dad this year. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from Eventbrite for some "out of the box" ideas to make Father's Day fun and affordable.
Updated: Jun. 12, 2023 at 2:20 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Cyberattacks on popular gaming platforms your child may use increased nearly 60% in 2022. And with kids out of school for the summer, a security expert from Kaspersky tells Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa what parents need to keep a close watch.
Updated: Jun. 8, 2023 at 3:48 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Summertime can be expensive… especially if you have kids who are out of school. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to Virginia Credit Union to find out how to plan summer activities on a budget.
Updated: Jun. 6, 2023 at 3:33 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Nearly 9 in 10 Americans between the ages of 50 and 80 say they would like to age in the comfort of home. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from Spectrum Medical about how you can age in place.
Updated: Jun. 5, 2023 at 3:01 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
It’s summertime, so that family vacation you’ve been waiting for is likely coming up soon. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa share expert tips from Virginia Credit Union to make sure your next trip is hassle and anxiety free.
Updated: Jun. 1, 2023 at 3:38 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Investing in your child’s future by helping them pay for college can be daunting. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from The College Investor who shares different ways you can help your child save up for an education.
Updated: May. 30, 2023 at 2:42 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Graduating high school seniors could take on $37,000+ in student loan debt over the next four years. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from NerdWallet on how to tackle the high cost of a degree.
Updated: May. 29, 2023 at 2:30 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Getting your first paycheck is a moment you won’t forget. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert who shares the money conversations to have with your teen if they’re starting a summer job.
Updated: May. 25, 2023 at 11:28 AM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
The housing market has cooled off, but interest rates are still rising meaning higher mortgages. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from Bankrate about what first-time homebuyers can expect this year.
Updated: May. 23, 2023 at 7:04 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
42% of Americans plan to take a vacation this summer involving a flight or a hotel, according to a new NerdWallet study. With the burden of inflation looming, Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa has ways to cut costs in this Watching Your Wallet.
Updated: May. 22, 2023 at 11:47 AM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Bank fees costs Americans billions of dollars each year. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks to an expert from MoneyTips about how to avoid fees and protect your wallet.
Updated: May. 18, 2023 at 3:36 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Money is one of the most common topics of controversy between couples. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to a financial coach from Virginia Credit Union about ways couples can manage their money together.
Updated: May. 16, 2023 at 3:04 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Utility bills are up 5% over 2022. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa has expert tips from SaveOnEnergy on how you can lower your costs.
Updated: May. 15, 2023 at 3:23 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Saying “I do” costs an average of almost $30,000. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to an expert on little ways you can cut costs and save on your big day.
Updated: May. 11, 2023 at 3:33 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Applying for a job can be intimidating, especially if you’re fresh out of college with limited experience. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa sits down with a negotiating expert from the Shapiro Negotiations Institute to help navigate those intimidating job interviews.
Updated: May. 9, 2023 at 3:34 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
The average wedding now costs around $30K according to TheKnot.com, tempting some couples to use buy now, pay later financing. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa talks to NerdWallet about the pros and cons of the buy now, pay later plan for your big day.
Updated: May. 8, 2023 at 3:13 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Are you still looking for the perfect gift? Consumer Investigative Reporter Rachel DePompa talks to an expert from Eventbrite to find gift ideas for the special woman in your life.
Updated: May. 4, 2023 at 4:13 PM CDT
|By Rachel DePompa
Freezing your credit is the safest way to protect accounts from cyber criminals, but there is a little-known side effect that could cost you. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks with an expert from Virginia Credit Union to explain.