ConsumerAffairs News

Best Buy return policy: 12 insider tips that can save you money and frustration

Kyle James — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 20:38:26 +0000

The fine print, hidden fees, and return tricks worth knowing before you buy

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

Best Buy gives a short 15-day return window on most items, but My Best Buy Plus and Total members get 60 days on eligible purchases.
If you open the box, that doesn't necessarily kill your return, but missing accessories can reduce your refund, and beware the 15% restocking fees on some items.
A few insider tricks can help you save, including checking for price drops post-purchase, inspecting open-box items before leaving, and asking for certain exceptions.

You bought a $1,200 laptop at Best Buy, opened it, used it for a week, and decided you hate it.

Can you return it? Probably.

Lost the box? Possibly still returnable.

Bought an open-box model? That's returnable too.

Waited 16 days? Now things get considerably more complicated.

Best Buy's return policy looks straightforward until you start looking into the exceptions. After digging through Best Buy's policy and experiences shared by current and former employees and shoppers on Reddit, I found quite a few things worth knowing before you walk up to the customer service counter.

Here's your cheat sheet.

1. The 15-day return window starts when you receive it

Yes, Best Buy only gives you 15 days to make a return on most items.

This is especially important information for online shoppers. Best Buy says the return period begins the day you receive the product (the delivery date), not necessarily the day you placed the order online.

The standard return window for most products is 15 days. But My Best Buy Plus members ($29.99/year) get 60 days to make a return.

There's one big exception: activate-able devices including cell phones, cellular tablets, mobile hotspots, and cellular wearables have a 14-day window for everyone. Verizon activate-able devices get 30 days.

Pro tip: Don't try to guess your deadline. Check your receipt or Best Buy account immediately after buying something expensive and put the return deadline in your phone.

2. The $29.99 membership can buy you 45 extra days

Here's where the math gets interesting.

My Best Buy Plus currently costs $29.99 per year and includes a 60-day return window on most products, compared with 15 days for a standard customer. My Best Buy Total also gets the 60-day window.

If you're buying a $1,500 laptop, TV, or other expensive piece of technology that you're unsure about, that extra 45 days could potentially be more valuable than the membership itself.

But don't assume you can wait until day 16 and then buy Plus to retroactively rescue your purchase. Recent discussions among purported Best Buy employees on Reddit indicate the extended window is supposed to be tied to membership status when the purchase is made. Some employees report managers occasionally making exceptions, but that's discretion, not something shoppers should count on.

Pro tip: If the extended return window matters, join before or when you make the purchase, not when you decide you don't like it.

3. Yes, you can usually open the box

A surprisingly common misconception is that opening electronics automatically makes them nonreturnable. For most Best Buy products, that's not true.

The official policy requires returned merchandise to be in "like-new condition." Items that are damaged, scratched, dented, unsanitary, or missing major contents can be refused.

So opening and trying a laptop, monitor, headphones, or TV doesn't automatically kill your return rights.

There are exceptions, however. Certain consumables and products that interact with bodily fluids become nonreturnable once opened, while opened physical software, movies, music, and video games purchased directly from Best Buy generally can only be exchanged for an identical item.

4. Don't panic if you threw away the box

Keep the box if you can. It makes everything easier.

But losing packaging doesn't necessarily mean you're stuck with the product.

Best Buy's policy asks customers to return the original packaging and accessories, but says that when something is missing it may deny the return or make a nonrefundable deduction from your refund.

In other words, returning something sans box doesn't automatically mean "no return," but you're giving the store another reason to complicate things.

Pro tip: For expensive electronics, put the box in the garage for at least as long as the return period. Don't recycle it the morning after you buy the product.

5. The charger may be more important than the box

If something came in the box, bring it back. That includes chargers, power adapters, remotes, cables, stands, and any other accessories.

Best Buy explicitly warns that missing accessories or packaging can result in the return being denied or your refund being reduced.

In other words, don't return a $1,000 laptop and discover at the counter that its charger is sitting underneath your desk.

Pro tip: When opening an expensive product, put every accessory you're not using back inside the original box. Then you don't have to hunt for it later.

6. Watch out for the restocking-fee categories

This is probably Best Buy's biggest return-policy landmine. Opened, activate-able devices generally carry a $45 restocking fee.

A much longer list including drones, digital cameras, lenses, camcorders, action cameras, projectors, projector screens, and certain premium mobility and wellness products can carry a whopping 15% restocking fee. Special-order products are also included.

What does this look like? If you return a $2,000 camera, that15% restocking fee comes out to $300.

But there's an important loophole, and it's worth noting. Best Buy says there's no restocking fee if the product is unopened. The fee also doesn't apply to purchases made in Alabama, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Carolina, as well as where prohibited by law.

So if you change your mind before opening an expensive camera or projector, don't break the seal just to look at it.

7. Laptops don't have the dreaded 15% restocking fee

This one comes up repeatedly among Best Buy shoppers. The company's current restocking-fee list does not include laptops.

That matches what purported Best Buy employees repeatedly tell shoppers on Reddit: laptops can generally be opened and returned during the applicable return window without a restocking charge, assuming they're returned in acceptable condition with their components.

That's useful if you're trying to decide between two laptops and won't really know whether the keyboard, screen, or battery life works for you until you've actually used one.

But don't treat Best Buy like a free electronics rental service. The product still needs to meet the company's return-condition requirements.

Pro tip: If Best Buy screwed up your online order, don't pay return shipping. If a return is necessary because of a Best Buy error, Best Buy is responsible for the return shipping. So, always check your refund carefully and make sure a shipping charge hasn't been deducted.

8. Open-box doesn't mean final sale

Here's another misconception worth killing: Open-box products generally get the same return window as new products.

Best Buy specifically says its return periods apply to new, clearance, open-box, refurbished, and pre-owned merchandise. That can make open-box purchases considerably less risky.

But Reddit reveals a different problem: inspect the item carefully.

Shoppers have reported supposedly excellent-condition open-box merchandise arriving with missing accessories, cosmetic damage, or other problems. One 2026 Reddit user reported buying an "excellent" open-box TV that was missing its remote and manual and repeatedly crashed.

Another shopper reported opening an "excellent" laptop box only to find paper inside instead of the computer.

Those are anecdotes, not evidence of a widespread problem, but they lead to a smart precaution.

Insider tip: If you're buying an expensive open-box item in-store, ask to inspect it before leaving the store. For a shipped high-dollar open-box purchase, consider documenting the condition as you open it.

9. Don't automatically return something because the price dropped

Suppose you buy a $900 TV and Best Buy puts it on sale for $799 eight days later. You may not need to return and rebuy it.

Best Buy says that if its own price drops during your applicable return-and-exchange period, it will match the lower price upon request. That's one of my favorite Best Buy tricks because it gives you a reason to keep checking the price after you've bought something.

Its a smart idea to set yourself a reminder to check the price again a week after any expensive Best Buy purchase. A five-second search could potentially put $50 or $100 back in your pocket.

Pro tip: Returning a price-matched purchase? Do it in-store. A Best Buy manager told me that an item that received a competitor price match can indeed be refunded to the original payment method, but only when returned in-store. So, if you've received a price match, always make the return at a store rather than online.

10. A day or two late? Asking nicely may actually matter

Officially, when your return window ends, your return window ends. But here's where employee discretion enters the picture.

Best Buy employees on Reddit have repeatedly described situations in which managers may approve an out-of-policy return or exchange, particularly when the customer is only slightly late.

One employee put it rather plainly in a discussion about late returns: Sometimes a shopper's demeanor can influence whether an associate is willing to ask a supervisor for an exception.

That is not Best Buy policy, and a manager is completely within their rights to say no. But if you're on day 16 of a 15-day return period, it costs nothing to politely explain the situation.

Don't march in demanding an exception you're not entitled to. Politely ask for one.

11. Don't lose your receipt but all may not be lost

Best Buy says returns without proof of purchase may be denied or limited. If accepted, reimbursement may be store credit, and certain taxes and fees may not be reimbursed.

So keep the receipt.

Better yet, attach purchases to your Best Buy account so the transaction is easier to retrieve.

For a faster in-store return, Best Buy recommends bringing your receipt or packing slip and the credit card used for the purchase. That little bit of preparation can save a lot of time standing at the counter.

12. Gifts have a return-policy trap worth knowing

Returning a gift in-store can be the smarter move.

If a Best Buy-purchased gift is returned in a store, Best Buy says the recipient receives store credit for the purchase price.

Mail it back, however, and Best Buy says it will credit the original purchaser and notify that person by email.

So if Aunt Linda bought you headphones and you'd rather quietly exchange them for something else, mailing them back could ruin the stealth operation.

Take the gift to the store.

One more big 2026 change: Watch for Marketplace sellers

Best Buy now has Marketplace products sold by third-party sellers on BestBuy.com.

Most Marketplace products generally follow Best Buy's standard return timeframe, but here's the catch: The 60-day return benefit for My Best Buy Plus and Total members doesn't apply to Marketplace purchases.

That makes checking the seller increasingly important before clicking Buy.

And if something purchased from a Marketplace seller arrives damaged or defective, Best Buy instructs shoppers to contact that seller through their Best Buy account.

Consumer product safety recall roundup for August 14, 2026

News Desk — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 20:06:42 +0000

Furniture, mattresses, and ATVs are part of this week's product recall roundup

By News Desk of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

Recall roundup: Consumer products, food and drug alerts

This roundup covers recent recalls and safety warnings from the CPSC, FDA and USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Hampton Bay ceiling fans can shed blades

Youngo Limited is recalling Hampton Bay Halwin 52-inch ceiling fans because the blades can break or separate from the motor assembly.

The fan blades can separate from the fan motor flywheel, creating impact and injury hazards.
About 9,460 fans were sold at The Home Depot stores nationwide and online from January 2023 through October 2025 for about $180.
Consumers should stop using the recalled ceiling fans immediately and contact Youngo for a refund, store credit or a return through Home Depot.

Youngo Limited, of Huizhou, China, is recalling Hampton Bay Halwin 52-inch Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling fans sold in matte black or brushed nickel. The recalled fans, model numbers AK396H-MBK and AK396H-BN, have an adjustable white LED light and include a remote. The problem is serious because the blades can break or come loose while the fan is operating.

The hazard

The CPSC said the fan blades can separate from the fan motor flywheel, posing an impact hazard to anyone nearby. Youngo has received 11 reports of blades breaking or separating from the flywheel. No injuries have been reported, but a detached fan blade can strike people or property.

What to do

Stop using the fan immediately. Consumers can contact Youngo for either a full refund by ACH payment or store credit in the form of a Home Depot gift card. To get either option, consumers should provide proof of purchase or a photo of the serial number inside the mounting plate, along with a photo showing proof of disposal. Consumers can also return the fan to a Home Depot retail store for full store credit on a Home Depot gift card or a refund back to the card used for purchase.

Company contact

Youngo: 877-902-5588, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday; halwin-recall@tal-usa.com; www.tal-usa.com/halwin-recall or www.tal-usa.com under Product Recalls.

Source

Sunnyside kerosene bottles lack fire safeguards

Sunnyside Corporation is recalling 1-K kerosene heater and appliance fuel containers because they do not include required flame mitigation devices.

The fuel containers violate federal portable fuel container standards and pose a flash fire and burn hazard.
About 960 bottles were sold on Amazon.com and at Do-It Best Hardware Stores from May 2026 through July 2026 for about $13.
Consumers should stop using the bottles immediately, keep them away from children and contact Sunnyside for a full refund.

Sunnyside Corporation, of Wheeling, Illinois, is recalling its gallon 1-K Kerosene Heater and Appliance Fluid Portable Fuel Containers with batch number 26082. The bottles are white plastic containers with white caps and a multicolor label that says sunnyside and kerosene. Regulators say the containers do not meet the mandatory safety requirements for portable fuel containers.

The hazard

The bottles lack flame mitigation devices required under the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act. Without that protection, a flash fire can move back into the container and cause serious burn injuries or death. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled fuel bottles immediately and place them out of reach of children. To receive a full refund, consumers should write RECALLED on the bottle with permanent marker and email a photo to info@sunnysidecorp.com. The fuel must then be disposed of in accordance with local and state rules.

Company contact

Sunnyside Corporation: 800-323-8611, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday; info@sunnysidecorp.com; https://www.sunnysidecorp.com/accessibility or www.sunnysidecorp.com under Accessibility & Recall Information.

Source

Brookstone tabletop fire pits pose burn danger

Southern Telecom is recalling Brookstone-branded tabletop fire pits after reports of flame jetting and severe burns.

Use of the fire pits can cause uncontrolled pool fires and flame jetting from alcohol fuel containers.
About 48,700 units were sold nationwide and online from February 2023 through December 2024 for $20 to $25.
Consumers should stop using the fire pits immediately and contact Southern Telecom for a full refund.

Southern Telecom Inc., of Brooklyn, New York, is recalling Brookstone-branded indoor/outdoor Tabletop Fire Pits, model numbers BSFIREPIT01, BSFIREPIT02 and BSFIREPIT03. The products are round or hexagonal concrete reservoirs designed to hold burning liquid alcohol. The recall covers units sold by Macys, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx and other retailers.

The hazard

According to the CPSC, these fire pits can cause uncontrolled pool fires, in which flames spread across pooled or spilled alcohol, and can also trigger dangerous flame jetting from fuel containers. Southern Telecom has received two reports of flame jetting and flames escaping from the concrete container. Two people were injured, including cases involving second-degree and third-degree burns.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled fire pits immediately. To get a full refund, consumers should write Recalled, their name and the date on the fire pit in permanent marker, email a photo to support@customersupport123.com, and then dispose of the product. Consumers should not sell or give away these fire pits.

Company contact

Southern Telecom: 877-832-3822, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; support@customersupport123.com; www.southerntelecom.com under Recall Information.

Source

DUMOS dressers can tip over on children

DUMOS nine-drawer fabric dressers are being recalled because they can tip over if they are not anchored to a wall.

The dressers are unstable and can cause tip-over and entrapment hazards that may seriously injure or kill children.
About 8,981 units were sold on Amazon.com from December 2025 through June 2026 for about $54.
Consumers should stop using the dressers if they are not anchored, keep children away and contact DUMOS for a full refund.

Jiangsu Jiayubo Furniture Co., Ltd., of China, is recalling DUMOS Nine-Drawer Fabric Dressers sold as television stand dressers. The recalled units were sold in white, black, gray and brown and include LED lights, built-in power outlets and ports, and an attached electrical cable. The CPSC said the products violate the federal STURDY Act safety standard for clothing storage units.

The hazard

The dressers can become unstable if they are not anchored to the wall. That creates a serious tip-over and entrapment hazard for children, who can be crushed or trapped. No incidents or injuries had been reported at the time of the recall announcement.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dressers if they are not anchored to the wall and move them to an area children cannot access. DUMOS is offering a full refund. Consumers will be asked to destroy the dresser by cutting the drawers in half, write RECALLED on it with permanent marker, send a photo to dumosdresserrecall@dumos.com, and then dispose of the product.

Company contact

DUMOS: 877-820-7778, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday; dumosdresserrecall@dumos.com; https://dumos.ehengjian.com/sys/recall or https://dumos.ehengjian.com/sys/home under Recall.

Source

Qabefy mattresses fail flammability safety test

Qabefy-branded twin mattresses sold on Amazon are being recalled because they do not meet mandatory mattress flammability standards.

The mattresses violate the federal flammability standard, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire.
About 774 mattresses were sold on Amazon.com from November 2025 through March 2026 for $120 to $140.
Consumers should stop using the mattresses immediately and contact Qabefy for a full refund.

Guangzhoushi Jiatian Trading Co., Ltd., doing business as Qabefy, is recalling 10-inch-thick Qabefy-branded twin mattresses sold in compressed boxes on Amazon. The mattresses have a white top, black sides and orange trim, and Item NO.: CD01101US is printed on the packaging. Federal regulators said the product does not comply with mandatory mattress flammability rules.

The hazard

Mattresses that fail federal flammability standards can ignite or burn more rapidly, increasing the risk of serious injuries or death in a fire. No incidents or injuries were reported with these recalled mattresses.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled mattresses immediately and contact Qabefy for a full refund. The company is asking consumers to write Recalled, their name and the current date on the mattress top surface, email a photo to Sixiang2023@gmail.com, and then dispose of the mattress.

Company contact

Qabefy: Sixiang2023@gmail.com.

Source

Merax Murphy beds can fall during assembly

GigaCloud Technology is recalling Merax Murphy beds because the frame can fall onto consumers during assembly or disassembly.

The wall bed frame can fall during assembly or disassembly, creating impact, crush and laceration hazards.
About 1,250 beds were sold online from May 2024 through February 2026 for about $900 to $1,100.
Consumers should stop using the recalled Murphy beds and contact GigaCloud Technology for a free repair kit and inspection instructions.

GigaCloud Technology (USA) Inc., of El Monte, California, is recalling certain full-size and twin-size Merax Murphy beds sold in white. The wall-mounted beds fold into a cabinet and were sold online under Merax and, in some cases, under other brand names such as Euroco, Harper & Bright Designs, Modern Luxe and Polibi. The recall applies to model numbers GX000392AAK, GX000391AAK and GX000383AAK, along with the listed SKU codes.

The hazard

The CPSC said the bed frame can fall onto consumers during assembly or disassembly. GigaCloud received two reports of the beds falling during assembly when they were not anchored to the wall. Two consumers were injured, including one who suffered bruising to the head, neck and right shoulder, and another who was hit in the head and suffered scrapes and bruises on the arms.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled Murphy beds immediately and contact GigaCloud Technology for a free repair kit. Unassembled beds will receive unloaded piston springs, updated assembly instructions and inspection instructions. Consumers who already assembled the bed will receive inspection instructions, and if the bed is found to be assembled incorrectly, the company said it will provide a professional installer at no cost.

Company contact

GigaCloud Technology: 888-600-6376, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; support@merax.com; www.merax.com/recall or www.merax.com under PRODUCT RECALLS.

Source

Deli Jerry fuel cans lack child-resistant caps

Deli OfficeSupplies is recalling Deli-branded fuel containers because the closures are not child-resistant.

The closures violate federal child-resistant packaging rules, creating burn and child poisoning hazards.
About 1,750 containers were sold on Walmart.com from April 2025 through June 2026 for about $36.
Consumers should stop using the containers immediately and contact Deli OfficeSupplies for a full refund.

Ningbo DELI IMP. & EXP. Co., Ltd., doing business as Deli OfficeSupplies, is recalling Deli-branded metal fuel containers sold in 5.3-gallon, 6.6-gallon and 7.9-gallon sizes. The dark green cans have a cap, a plastic tube, and the brands Star logo embossed on the side. The CPSC said the closure does not meet the Childrens Gasoline Burn Prevention Act requirement.

The hazard

A non-child-resistant closure can allow children to open the container and gain access to fuel, creating risks of burns and poisoning. The recall notice said no incidents or injuries had been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled fuel containers immediately and contact Deli OfficeSupplies for a full refund. The company is asking consumers to write RECALLED on the product in permanent marker, send a photo to service@steelitetool.com, and then dispose of the container according to local or state disposal procedures.

Company contact

Deli OfficeSupplies: 909-235-6518, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday; service@steelitetool.com; www.delibestmate.com/pages/recall-notice or www.delibestmate.com under Recall.

Source

Taleco baby jumpers and swings pose strangulation risks

Taleco Gear is recalling baby jumpers, baby swings and 2-in-1 models after dozens of reports of falls, impacts and strangulation hazards.

The products can become unstable and also have hanging restraint straps and seat openings that pose strangulation hazards.
About 41,100 units were sold in the United States, plus 150 in Canada, from April 2021 through July 2026 for $65 to $120.
Consumers should stop using the products immediately and contact Taleco Gear for a full refund.

Taleco Gear, of La Verne, California, is recalling G Taleco Gear Baby Jumpers, Baby Swings, and 2-in-1 Baby Jumper & Swing products sold in several colors including black, white, gray, pink, blue and green. The recall covers model numbers jumper-01 and swing-1, including two 2-in-1 versions. These products were sold on Amazon.com, Walmart.com and TalecoGear.com.

The hazard

The CPSC said the products can become unstable, causing falls and impacts, and the restraint straps and seat openings can create strangulation hazards. Taleco Gear has received at least 52 reports involving fall, impact and strangulation hazards. At least 32 injuries were reported, including head bumps and a bloody nose.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately and contact Taleco Gear for a full refund. The company said it will provide instructions for destroying the recalled products, and consumers must submit photos of the destroyed parts to receive the refund.

Company contact

Taleco Gear: TalecoGearRecall@163.com; https://www.talecogear.com/recall or www.talecogear.com under RECALL INFORMATION.

Source

Ritchey carbon bike forks can trigger crashes

Ritchey Design is recalling carbon bicycle forks because an alloy insert can come loose and send an accessory into the front wheel.

The front crown hole insert can loosen, allowing an attached accessory to fall into the front wheel and cause a crash.
About 775 forks or framesets were sold from July 2024 through June 2026 for $660 to $700 for forks and up to $3,500 for framesets.
Consumers should stop using bicycles with the recalled fork and register for a free Fork Crown Hole Closure Kit.

Ritchey Design, of Reno, Nevada, is recalling Ritchey Carbon Fiber Bicycle Forks with a crown hole. The fork was sold individually in black and as part of certain Montebello, Septimer and Outback framesets. The recall applies to all carbon bicycle forks with crown mounting holes included in the listed products.

The hazard

The alloy insert in the front crown hole can come loose, which may cause a rack or accessory to fall off and land on the front wheel. That can lead to a sudden stop, loss of control, a fall and a serious crash. The company has received one report of the insert coming loose, but no injuries were reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using bicycles equipped with the recalled fork immediately. They should inspect the front crown hole for any attached racks or accessories and close the threaded hole above the front wheel right away. Consumers can register online to receive a free Ritchey Fork Crown Hole Closure Kit with instructions.

Company contact

Ritchey Design: 800-748-2439, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday; ritcheydesign@ritcheylogic.com; https://ritcheylogic.com/support/recall or https://ritcheylogic.com/ under Safety Recalls.

Source

Yamazuki youth ATVs fail braking and speed limits

Yamazuki is recalling youth all-terrain vehicles because the brakes, speed limiter and reflectors do not meet federal ATV safety rules.

The parking brakes can fail, the speed limiter is set too high for children, and required rear reflectors are missing, creating a crash hazard.
About 1,050 ATVs were sold on Amazon.com and Walmart.com from September 2025 through April 2026 for $500 to $580.
Consumers should stop using the ATVs immediately and contact Yamazuki for a free repair kit.

Yongkang Dingchang Industry and Trade Co., Ltd., of China, is recalling Yamazuki QEASET or HOVERHEART-branded youth ATVs, model XW-A19. The 40cc gasoline-powered vehicles were sold in several colors and patterns, including blue, pink, red, green camouflage and an American flag motif. The recall follows safety concerns involving braking, speed control and visibility.

The hazard

The CPSC said the recalled youth ATVs violate the mandatory safety standard for ATVs because the parking brakes fail to hold and the speed limiting device is not set to the restricted speed required for children age 6 and older. The vehicles also lack required rear safety reflectors, reducing visibility to other vehicles. No incidents or injuries were reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled youth ATVs immediately and contact Yamazuki for a free repair kit, including shipping. The kit includes replacement parking brake latches, rear safety reflectors, an owners manual storage bag and repair tools.

Company contact

Yamazuki: 800-364-9210, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday; info@yamazukipowerports.com; https://yamazukipowersports.com/pages/recall or https://yamazukipowersports.com/ under Recall.

Source

Slide playsets linked to deadly entrapment hazard

The CPSC is warning consumers to stop using certain indoor and outdoor slide playsets after one death and concerns about head and neck entrapment.

The playsets have openings that can trap a childs head or neck after the torso passes through.
The warning covers Indoor and Outdoor Slide Playsets, model WPX-4, sold in multiple colors and configurations.
Consumers should stop using the playsets immediately, dispose of them and never resell or give them away.

The CPSC issued a warning covering Indoor and Outdoor Slide Playsets, model WPX-4, manufactured by Wenzhou Yidian Amusement Equipment Co., Ltd. The plastic playsets are designed for indoor or outdoor use and include multiple activity components such as a tunnel, slide and basketball hoop. Some also include a vehicle-shaped side component.

The hazard

Regulators said the playsets contain multiple openings where a childs torso can fit through but the head cannot. That creates a head and neck entrapment hazard that can lead to serious injury or death. The CPSC warning says one death has been reported.

What to do

Consumers should stop using these playsets immediately and dispose of them. The CPSC said consumers should not sell or give away the hazardous products. Because this is a warning rather than a company-run recall, the agency did not announce a repair, refund or replacement program.

Company contact

Consumers can report incidents involving injury or product defects to the CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Source

Hair dryer brushes pose electrocution danger

The CPSC is warning consumers to stop using certain hair dryer brushes sold online because they lack required immersion protection.

The hair dryer brushes lack an integrated immersion protection device, creating electrocution and shock hazards.
The warning covers black hot air dryer paddle brushes with pink designs sold on Walmart.com, Ebay.com and Tiktok.com for $15 to $30.
Consumers should unplug the hair dryer brushes, cut the cords and dispose of them in the garbage.

The CPSC issued a warning about multiple hair dryer brushes sold by Zuoxukeji, Jowenia and TruPart. The dryers are described as black hot air paddle brushes with pink designs and brush bristles, with three heat settings. Federal regulators said the products violate hair dryer safety regulations.

The hazard

These dryer brushes do not include the integrated immersion protection device required by federal regulations. Without that protection, the products can pose a substantial risk of electric shock or electrocution, especially around water. The CPSC said the products present a substantial product hazard.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the hair dryer brushes immediately. The CPSC recommends unplugging the device, cutting the cord and disposing of it in the garbage. Consumers should not resell or give away the hazardous hair dryers.

Company contact

Consumers can report incidents involving injury or product defects to the CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Source

Marketside tomato bisque soup kit may contain listeria

Kettle Cuisine is recalling Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit sold only at select Walmart stores because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The soup kit may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious or fatal infections.
The recalled product has UPC 194346474004 and a best-by or use-by date of 8/22/26 and was distributed to select Walmart stores in 29 states.
Consumers should not eat the soup kit and should dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Kettle Cuisine is recalling Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit sold exclusively at select Walmart stores. The affected product carries UPC 194346474004 and a best-by or use-by date of 8/22/26. The soup kit was distributed from June 30 through July 7 to stores in states including California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia and others.

The hazard

The company said the soup kit has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may suffer fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and pregnant women face risks including miscarriage and stillbirth.

What to do

Do not eat, serve, sell or distribute the recalled soup kit. Consumers should either throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Company contact

Kettle Cuisine Hotline: 617-409-1104.

Source

Frankies vegan cheddar puffs contain undeclared milk

Frankies Organic is recalling one lot of plant-based vegan cheddar puffs because the product may contain undeclared milk.

People with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity could have a serious or life-threatening reaction if they eat the product.
The affected product has UPC 816929000089, lot code 05 16 2027 and a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027.
Consumers should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Frankies Organic is recalling Frankies Organic Plant-Based Vegan Cheddar Puffs because the label does not declare milk. The recalled product was sold at PCC Markets in Washington state, Earth Fare stores in Florida and South Carolina, and select independent retailers. Consumers who rely on the vegan labeling should pay special attention to this alert.

The hazard

Undeclared milk is a serious allergen risk. People who are allergic to milk or highly sensitive to it could suffer a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product.

What to do

Consumers should not eat the affected cheddar puffs. The company said customers should discard the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact

Frankies Organic Team: 1-800-363-8209.

Source

Lidl wok spice mix may carry salmonella

Lidl US is recalling Vitasia Asian Style Wok Spice Mix because the seasoning may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious illness, especially in vulnerable people.
The recall covers UPC 4335619355491 with lot 155846 and BBD JUN 2028 sold at Lidl stores in 10 states and the District of Columbia.
Consumers should discard the spice mix or return it to any Lidl store for a full refund, even without a receipt.

Lidl US is recalling Vitasia Asian Style Wok Spice Mix distributed between July 24 and Aug. 10 to all Lidl US retail locations in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. The affected product carries UPC 4335619355491, lot number 155846 and a best-before date of June 2028.

The hazard

The seasoning may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella infections can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and in some cases can become severe, including bloodstream infections and other complications.

What to do

Consumers should immediately discard the recalled spice mix or return it to the nearest Lidl store for a full refund. The company said a receipt is not required.

Company contact

Lidl US Customer Care Hotline: (844) 747-5435; media: (844) 747-5435 or media@lidl.us.

Source

Whole Foods dips and salsas tied to salmonella

Whole Foods Market is recalling select salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared foods that contain jalapeo peppers linked to possible Salmonella contamination.

Products containing jalapeo may be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious foodborne illness.
The recall covers products with best-before or best-by dates from 8/7/2026 through 8/16/2026 sold online and in 12 states.
Consumers should not eat the affected products and should discard them or bring a valid receipt to a Whole Foods Market store for a refund.

Whole Foods Market announced a recall of select dips, salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared foods products containing jalapeo. The products were sold online and in produce and prepared foods departments in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio. The affected products carry best-before or best-by dates ranging from Aug. 7 through Aug. 16, 2026.

The hazard

The products may contain Salmonella through an ingredient supply issue involving jalapeo. Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and in rare cases can lead to more severe illness such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

What to do

Customers should not consume the recalled products. Whole Foods said shoppers should discard the food or bring a valid receipt to any Whole Foods Market store for a full refund.

Company contact

Consumers: 1-844-936-8255; media: amazon-pr@amazon.com.

Source

Omas Pride dog food may carry salmonella

Omas Pride is recalling one lot of Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe because of possible Salmonella contamination.

The pet food may carry Salmonella, which can sicken pets and people who handle the product.
The recall covers 6-pound bags with lot number BB012729 distributed in 11 states through retail, wholesale and direct-to-consumer sales.
Consumers should stop feeding the product immediately, safely dispose of it and contact Omas Pride for a refund.

Omas Pride is voluntarily recalling one lot of Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe in 6-pound bags. The recalled frozen pet food, lot number BB012729, was distributed in Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. It was sold through retail and wholesale accounts and directly to consumers online.

The hazard

Salmonella can affect animals that eat the food, and people can also become ill from handling contaminated pet products or surfaces exposed to them. That risk is especially high if hands are not washed thoroughly after handling the product.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the affected lot should stop feeding it immediately, safely dispose of it and contact Omas Pride for a refund. The company also said consumers should not sell or donate the food and should wash and sanitize pet food bowls, measuring cups and storage containers.

Company contact

Omas Pride: 1-800-678-OMAS or hello@omaspride.com.

Source

Tyenne injection vials may contain glass particles

Fresenius Kabi is recalling one lot of Tyenne injection 400 mg/20 mL vials because of the presence of glass particulates.

Glass particles in an injectable drug can cause irritation, vessel blockage, clotting, organ damage or death.
The nationwide recall covers lot 16UI07, NDC 65219-594-20, product code 590120 distributed to wholesalers, distributors and direct customers.
Health care facilities and customers should immediately stop distributing, dispensing or using the affected lot and return all units.

Fresenius Kabi issued a nationwide recall of Tyenne (tocilizumab-aazg) Injection 400 mg/20 mL vials. The recall applies to lot number 16UI07, with NDC number 65219-594-20 and product code 590120. The affected drug was distributed nationwide to wholesalers, distributors and direct customers.

The hazard

Injecting a product that contains glass particles can cause local pain, irritation or swelling at the infusion site, along with vein inflammation. More serious complications can include blood vessel blockage, clotting, pulmonary embolism, permanent organ damage or death.

What to do

Wholesalers, distributors, direct customers and health care facilities should immediately stop distributing, dispensing or using the affected lot and return all units to Fresenius Kabi.

Company contact

Fresenius Kabi USA Quality Assurance: 1-866-716-2459; consumers: (800) 551-7176 or productcomplaint.USA@fresenius-kabi.com.

Source

Schwarzkopf Osis Grip cans could explode

Henkel Corp. is recalling Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Grip because a packaging defect can cause the product to leak under pressure.

A packaging imperfection can allow the product to leak under pressure, creating an explosion risk.
The nationwide recall covers multiple lot numbers distributed through 21 distributors in 12 states.
Consumers and hair professionals should stop using the affected cans and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Henkel Corp. announced a nationwide voluntary recall of Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Grip 6.76 fl. oz./200 ml. The recall covers a long list of affected lot numbers distributed in the United States through 21 distributors in states including California, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. The company said the problem involves the packaging rather than the formula itself.

The hazard

Henkel said a packaging imperfection can cause the product to leak from the package under pressure. That creates a risk of explosion, which could injure users or bystanders.

What to do

Hair professionals and consumers should stop using the affected product and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact

Henkel Corp.: 1-800-234-4672.

Source

Jalapeo food products face wider salmonella recall

Taylor Fresh Foods is recalling products made with jalapeo peppers because of possible Salmonella contamination.

Products containing jalapeo may be contaminated with Salmonella, a potentially serious foodborne pathogen.
The recall covers finished products with best-if-used-by dates up to and including Aug. 16, 2026, distributed to retail centers in 26 states.
Consumers should not eat any recalled products and should discard them or seek refunds at the place of purchase.

Taylor Fresh Foods is voluntarily recalling finished products such as dips, salsa, guacamole and other items made with jalapeo peppers. The products were distributed to retail distribution centers in states across the South, Midwest, Northeast and Great Plains. The affected products have best-if-used-by dates up to and including Aug. 16, 2026.

The hazard

The recalled foods may be contaminated with Salmonella. Infections can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and in rare cases may lead to severe complications including arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

What to do

Consumers who have any recalled product should discard it immediately and not consume it. The company said refunds are available at the location of purchase.

Company contact

Consumers: (855) 455-0098; media: press@taylorfarms.com.

Source

Food to Live green powders may contain salmonella

Lexunder Inc. is recalling Food to Live Brand Green Powder Products sold online nationwide because of possible Salmonella contamination.

The green powder products may be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious illness.
The nationwide recall covers lots SO-72558 through SO-79374 and codes including VFD/ORG/MORP/B/25, C25051312 and OSP251001.
Consumers should not consume the products and should dispose of them or return them for a full refund.

Lexunder Inc. is recalling Food to Live Brand Green Powder Products sold nationwide through foodtolive.com, foodinbulk.com and other online marketplaces. The affected lots include SO-72558 through SO-79374, as well as products marked with codes VFD/ORG/MORP/B/25, C25051312 and OSP251001. The products were sold to both consumers and businesses.

The hazard

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella. Infections can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and in rare cases can progress to severe illness such as bloodstream infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

What to do

Consumers should not eat the recalled green powder products. If affected product is on hand, it should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact

Lexunder Inc.: (718) 717-1029, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, or recall@foodtolive.com.

Source

FSIS flags jalapeo-linked meat and poultry products

USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert for meat and poultry products containing jalapeos that were recalled over possible Salmonella contamination.

The affected meat and poultry products may contain FDA-regulated jalapeos tied to possible Salmonella contamination.
The public health alert applies to various products distributed nationwide by Taylor Farms and Greencore USA/BakkavorUSA.
Consumers should not eat the products, and retailers should not sell or serve them.

USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert rather than a standard recall because the impacted ingredients were already part of an FDA-regulated jalapeo recall. The alert covers various meat and poultry products containing those jalapeos. FSIS said the affected foods were distributed nationwide.

The hazard

Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, a common bacterial foodborne illness. Symptoms usually include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever, typically within six hours to six days after eating contaminated food.

What to do

Consumers who purchased these products are urged not to consume them. Retailers are urged not to serve or sell them. FSIS said the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Company contact

Taylor Farms: 855-455-0098 or press@taylorfarms.com; Greencore USA/BakkavorUSA: 855-432-4438 or tristan@michelemarketing.com; USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline: 888-674-6854 or MPHotline@usda.gov.

Source

City Foods deli meats may contain listeria

City Foods is recalling ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The ready-to-eat deli meats may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause severe illness in vulnerable people.
The recall covers products with item number MBPS10, case codes 18919 and 19751, and establishment number EST. 1896.
Consumers and institutions should not eat the products and should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

City Foods, Inc. is recalling ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products shipped to foodservice locations in Illinois, Iowa and Michigan and then distributed nationwide. The affected products include item number MBPS10, case codes 18919 and 19751, and establishment number EST. 1896. Because the meats are ready to eat, there is no cooking step to reduce the risk before consumption.

The hazard

Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Symptoms can be severe, and pregnant people can face pregnancy complications.

What to do

Consumers and institutions that purchased the recalled products should not consume them. FSIS said the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Company contact

Brian Sanchez, Office Manager, City Foods, Inc.: 773-523-1566 or brian@beasbest.com.

Source

Imported breaded swai products were not eligible

Shan Distribution Network is recalling frozen breaded swai fish products imported from the United Arab Emirates because the country is not eligible to export that fish to the United States.

The products are subject to a high-risk Class I recall because they were imported in violation of eligibility rules.
The recall covers frozen Siluriformes breaded fish fillet and stick products produced in December 2025 with use-before dates in June 2027.
Consumers should not eat the fish products and should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

Shan Distribution Network, Inc. is recalling frozen Siluriformes breaded Swai fish fillet and stick products imported from the United Arab Emirates. FSIS said that country is not eligible to export Siluriformes fish to the United States. The products were shipped to retail locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The hazard

The recall is classified as high risk, Class I, because the products were imported in violation of federal requirements. FSIS said the products do not bear an establishment number or a USDA mark of inspection. There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury linked to the products.

What to do

Consumers who purchased these fish products should not consume them. FSIS said they should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Company contact

Shaheen James, Office Manager, Shan Distribution Network, Inc.: 630-480-0616 or shaheen.sdn@gmail.com.

Source

Corte Argentino raw beef skipped reinspection

Corte Argentino USA is recalling raw beef products imported from Argentina without the required import reinspection.

The raw beef products are subject to a high-risk Class I recall because they entered U.S. commerce without required import reinspection.
The products were distributed to distributors and retailers in Florida and Texas and bear Argentinian establishment number EST. N OF. 2025 and shipping mark 26644-AA.
Consumers should not eat the beef and should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.

Corte Argentino USA LLC is recalling raw beef products imported from Argentina without the benefit of import reinspection into the United States. FSIS said the products were distributed to distributors and retailers in Florida and Texas. The agency is concerned some of the beef may still be in consumers refrigerators or freezers.

The hazard

This is a high-risk Class I recall tied to an import control failure. Products that bypass required reinspection have not undergone the full federal review intended to confirm they are eligible and safe for U.S. commerce.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the recalled beef should not consume it. FSIS said the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Company contact

Eial Kaplun, General Manager, Corte Argentino USA LLC: 786-350-5805 or info@corteargentinoinc.com.

Source

Healthy habits may lower hearing loss risk, study finds

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:44:19 +0000

Metabolic health may play an important role

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

People with an ideal lifestyle had a 14% lower risk of hearing impairment than those with a poor lifestyle.
Smoking cessation and spending less time sedentary were the lifestyle factors most strongly linked to lower risk.
Metabolic factors, including BMI and HDL cholesterol, appeared to explain more of the connection than inflammatory markers.

When people think about protecting their hearing, avoiding loud concerts or turning down the volume on their headphones may come to mind. But new research suggests that what happens throughout the rest of the body may matter, too.

A study from researchers at Fudan University found that adults with a healthier overall lifestyle had a lower risk of developing hearing impairment over more than 14 years of follow-up. The researchers were particularly interested in why lifestyle appeared to be connected to hearing health, and their findings pointed toward metabolism as an important piece of the puzzle.

How the researchers studied the connection

The researchers analyzed data from 441,844 U.K. Biobank participants between ages 40 and 69 at baseline. Participants were followed for a median of 14.22 years, during which 20,743 cases of hearing impairment were recorded.

The team created a lifestyle score based on seven behaviors: smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sleep duration, sedentary time, social contact, and dietary supplement use. Participants were grouped into poor, intermediate, or ideal lifestyle categories based on their scores.

The researchers also examined biological markers related to inflammation and metabolism. Metabolic health was assessed using measures including glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and BMI. The researchers then used statistical analyses to determine how much these biological factors might explain the relationship between lifestyle and hearing impairment.

What the results mean for consumers

People in the ideal lifestyle group had a 14% lower risk of developing hearing impairment compared with those in the poor-lifestyle group. Among individual behaviors, quitting smoking appeared to offer the greatest potential benefit, followed by reducing sedentary time.

Metabolic factors appeared to be particularly important. BMI and HDL cholesterol accounted for roughly 16.5% and 14%, respectively, of the lifestyle-hearing association, while individual inflammatory markers each accounted for less than 6%. Physical activity, less sitting, and healthy sleep were primarily linked to hearing through metabolic pathways.

That doesn't mean lifestyle changes can guarantee someone will avoid hearing impairment. The study was observational, so it can't prove that healthier habits directly prevent hearing problems, and hearing impairment was identified using medical records rather than objective hearing tests.

Still, the findings suggest that hearing health may be connected to more than what's happening inside the ear and that taking care of metabolic health could be one piece of the bigger picture.

Struggling to keep plants alive? This AI gardening tool could help

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:42:45 +0000

Georgia Tech researchers created a chatbot that offers personalized gardening advice based on your experience, environment, and culture

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

A new AI system called CultivAgents is designed to make gardening less intimidating for beginners.
Three specialized AI agents work together to create more personalized gardening plans.
The tool considers factors such as gardening experience, local climate, and cultural background when offering advice.

Starting a garden can sound wonderfully simple: Pick some plants, put them in the ground, water them and wait. In reality, there are plenty of opportunities to wonder, Am I doing this right?

A new project from Georgia Tech aims to make that learning curve a little less steep.

CultivAgents is a conversational AI system designed to help people plan and maintain gardens. Rather than providing the same generic advice to everyone, the system creates guidance based on a person's gardening experience, environment, and cultural background.

The project was created by Diana Wang, a Ph.D. student in Georgia Tech's School of Interactive Computing. The idea came from looking at how AI could provide more personalized help to people who want to grow their own food but may face different environmental or cultural circumstances.

Multi-agent systems provide multi-faceted support, Dr. Wang said in a news release. My interest was in how we could provide more personalized and aligned support to individuals trying to grow food themselves while facing unique environmental or cultural factors.

How CultivAgents works

CultivAgents uses three separate AI agents, each with a different role:

The experience agent focuses on the gardener's skill level and provides detailed instructions.
The environmental agent considers factors such as the local climate and surroundings.
The ethnobotanical agent takes cultural context into account.

The agents then work together rather than operating independently. For example, the environmental agent can build on the experience agent's instructions to explain how someone in a particular community could grow a specific crop, such as bush beans.

To understand what gardeners actually wanted from an AI tool, Dr. Wang surveyed and interviewed both new and experienced gardeners who use Georgia Tech's community garden. According to the university, many participants were interested in step-by-step instructions, recommendations about what to plant, and guidance on how to care for their gardens over time.

What it could mean for home gardeners

The research doesn't suggest that AI can replace hands-on gardening knowledge. Instead, CultivAgents is designed to reduce some of the guesswork involved in getting started.

That could be particularly useful when local conditions matter.

People might want to grow a lot of different vegetables in their garden, but if you go too far south of here, it gets a little too hot to grow things like broccoli and strawberries, Ryan Pemberton, a horticulturist at Georgia Techs community garden said in the release.

A little north of here, it gets a little too cold to grow some species of peppers. Having something tell you what grows well in your region means youre not having to pick and choose or guess.

Pemberton also pointed to two common mistakes among beginners: starting with a garden that's too large and overwatering. His advice is refreshingly simple: Start small and expand as you become more comfortable.

If youve never gardened before, trying to manage a large plot could be overwhelming, Pemberton said.

You can start small. You dont have to have a big garden right away. You can start with one tomato plant and grow from there. See how well you can keep that one plant alive and then expand as you feel comfortable.

AI could help Alzheimer’s patients get treatment sooner

Kristen Dalli — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:41:00 +0000

A new Vanderbilt project aims to cut through referral delays and help eligible patients reach new therapies faster

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

A new AI tool could help speed up the process of getting eligible Alzheimers patients to treatment.
The system will review medical records, flag missing information, and help prioritize referrals.
Researchers will test whether the technology can shorten the time from diagnosis to a patients first infusion.

For people diagnosed with Alzheimers disease who may qualify for newer treatments, getting from diagnosis to therapy can involve several steps and plenty of waiting. Patients may need a referral, a specialist evaluation, brain imaging, and insurance authorization before receiving their first infusion.

Researchers at Vanderbilt Health are now working on an artificial intelligence tool designed to make part of that process move faster. The project, funded by a grant from Eli Lilly and Company, will create an AI triage agent that works inside Vanderbilt Healths electronic health record system. The 18-month project is focused on the handoff from primary care or geriatrics to neurology.

By the time a patient reaches our clinic, the clock has often been running for weeks, researcher Amalia Peterson, M.D. said in a news release.

This tool will be designed to make sure that when a referral arrives, we already have the information we need to act quickly. It doesnt replace clinical judgment, but it will remove a lot of the friction that keeps patients waiting.

How the AI will work

When a clinician submits a referral because of concerns about a patients cognitive health, the AI tool will review the relevant information in that patients chart. It will summarize the information, identify details that are missing, and recommend whether the referral should be handled as a priority or through the standard process.

Importantly, doctors and other clinicians will remain in control. They can accept, change, or override the AIs recommendations.

Before deploying the tool, researchers will study where delays are happening now. They plan to use AI to reconstruct care timelines for more than 5,300 Vanderbilt Health patients, then work with clinicians and operational staff to identify the reasons for those delays.

The team will use what it learns to develop and test the AI agent in a pilot.

What this could mean for patients

The researchers will judge the project by one key measure: whether it reduces the amount of time between an Alzheimers diagnosis and a patients first infusion.

For eligible patients and their families, shaving time off the referral and evaluation process could make the path to treatment less cumbersome. The project is specifically focused on making sure referrals arrive with the information needed for the next step, rather than replacing doctors judgment.

For many patients and families, the pathway begins in primary care or geriatrics, where cognitive concerns are first recognized, and the next steps can be difficult to navigate, researcher Sean Huang, M.D. said in the release.

Our goal is to help clinicians identify what information is needed earlier, streamline referral communication, and make the handoff to specialty care timelier and complete.

Could financial stress be aging your brain? Here's what you can do about it

Kyle James — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:39:23 +0000

If money keeps you up at night, your brain may be paying a price, too

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

Chronic financial stress may affect your brain, with research linking it to faster brain aging and cognitive decline.
Small money moves can reduce the pressure, including budgeting, building emergency savings, and checking finances weekly.
Protect your brain with exercise, adequate sleep, fewer financial alerts, and getting help when needed.

Worrying about money may cost more than your peace of mind.

New research suggests that ongoing financial stress is associated with faster brain aging and a greater risk of cognitive decline.

Researchers found people who experienced ongoing financial hardship performed worse on memory and thinking tests and showed signs of accelerated brain aging on brain scans. The study found an association but did not prove that financial stress directly causes cognitive decline.

The findings don't mean occasional money worries will harm your brain. Instead, they point to the potential effects of years of chronic financial strain, particularly when it becomes a constant source of anxiety.

Fortunately, there are some practical steps you can take to reduce both financial stress and its impact on your overall health.

Smart ways to reduce financial stress

Focus on what you can control. You may not be able to lower inflation or interest rates, but you can review your monthly spending, negotiate recurring bills, cancel unused subscriptions, or build a simple budget. Even small improvements can help you feel more in control.
Build a small emergency fund. You don't need thousands of dollars to make a difference. Saving even $500 to $1,000 for unexpected expenses can reduce the stress of surprise car repairs or medical bills.
Don't ignore money problems. Avoiding bills or unopened statements often increases anxiety. Instead, set aside 20 to 30 minutes each week to review your finances and make a plan. Breaking large problems into smaller tasks can make them feel more manageable.
Schedule a weekly "money check-in." Set aside 20 minutes once a week to review your bills, bank account, and upcoming expenses. Research shows that having a plan, even if you can't solve every financial problem immediately, can reduce feelings of stress and helplessness.
Turn off those financial stress triggers. Constant dings and notifications from banking apps, investment accounts, and shopping apps can keep your brain in a state of worry. Consider turning off those nonessential alerts and only check your accounts at a predetermined time instead of randomly throughout the day.
Take care of your brain, too. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and staying socially connected are all linked to better cognitive health and can also help reduce stress. Research suggests lifestyle habits play an important role in protecting brain function as we age.
Ask for help early. If debt or financial anxiety is becoming overwhelming, talk with a nonprofit credit counselor or financial professional before the situation spirals. Also, if you notice your worrying is affecting your sleep, work, or relationships, consider speaking with a mental health professional.

Pro tip:Move your body right after a stressful money conversation. If discussing finances leaves you anxious, take a 10- to 20-minute walk afterward. Physical activity helps lower stress hormones and can improve your mood and mental clarity, making it easier to tackle financial decisions rationally instead of emotionally.

WhatsApp tests on-device warnings for suspected scam messages

Mark Huffman — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:07:05 +0000

Its a response to the growing number of scams using the messaging platform

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

WhatsApp is testing an optional Scam Alert that uses on-device machine learning to identify suspicious messages from unknown senders.
Potential scams will trigger a private warning, but WhatsApp will neither block the message nor automatically report the conversation.
The limited beta cannot detect every threat, particularly scams sent through a known contacts compromised account.

WhatsApp is testing a new feature designed to warn users when a message from an unknown sender appears to be part of a scam.

The optional feature, called Scam Alert, downloads a machine-learning model to the users device. It analyzes incoming messages from people outside the recipients contacts, looking for linguistic signals and conversational patterns associated with scams that have been previously reported by WhatsApp users.

When the system identifies a potentially fraudulent message, it displays a warning banner inside the chat. The alert is visible only to the recipient, preventing the suspected scammer from knowing that the message has been flagged.

Users can then block the sender, report the conversation, continue chatting or mark the sender as trusted. Choosing the last option removes the warning and stops the feature from flagging that particular conversation again.

Privacy protection

Scam Alert does not automatically block messages or report their senders. Classification takes place locally on the users device, an approach intended to add protection without requiring WhatsApp to examine private conversations on its servers.

The feature is aimed at scams involving impersonation, fake job or sales offers, investment fraud, romance schemes, malicious links, and fraudulent payment requests. Such schemes may begin on Facebook, Instagram, or another public platform before the criminal moves the target to a private WhatsApp conversation.

Scam Alert nevertheless has a significant limitation: it focuses on messages from unknown senders. A scam delivered through a friends or relatives compromised account may therefore escape detection because the sender is already listed in the victims contacts.

What to watch out for

Users should remain cautious about unexpected links and requests to transfer money, scan QR codes, or connect new devices even when a message appears to come from someone they know. WhatsApp users can also enable two-step verification and review the devices connected to their accounts under Settings > Linked devices.

The feature is undergoing a limited beta rollout and is being tested with researchers in Metas bug-bounty community. WhatsApp has not announced when it will become broadly available.

The increase in car insurance can cost families the equivalent of months of groceries

Mark Huffman — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:47:31 +0000

Industry expert says insurance has become one of families biggest expenses

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

Auto insurance has become a major household expense, with recent increases potentially equaling four or five months of groceries for some low-income families.
Insurify projects premiums will rise in 32 states in 2026, with increases ranging from roughly 4% to 15%.
More expensive repairs, tariffs, and persistently severe accidents are keeping pressureon rates, making location and comparison shopping increasingly important.

Car insurance premiums are climbing again in much of the country, adding another affordability challenge for households already grappling with elevated food, housing, and transportation costs.

Insurify founder and co-CEO Snejina Zacharia said the cumulative increase in insurance costs has been steep enough to turn coverage into one of the largest expenses facing some families.

For a family with a low budget, it could be four to five months of groceries, Zacharia said in an interview with Yahoo Finance.

Insurify expects drivers in 32 states to encounter higher premiums during 2026. Depending on the state, Zacharia said the increases could range from about 4% or 5% to as much as 15%.

The companys latest analysis found that the national average cost of full-coverage insurance reached $2,237 a year in June. It projects that figure will rise to $2,242 by the end of 2026, representing a 1% increase for the year.

That modest national change, however, masks much larger differences from one state to another. Connecticut is projected to finish the year with premiums up nearly 15%, while Kentucky and West Virginia could experience increases of about 8%, according to Insurifys report.

Why premiums remain under pressure

Zacharia pointed to the severity of accidents and the resulting insurance claims as a central reason rates remain high.

Accident severity surged after the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. Although insurers and analysts initially expected that development to be temporary, claims have remained expensive.

Insurers respond to those costs by seeking permission to raise premiums in individual states. The size of an increase can depend on an insurers loss ratio the amount it spends on claims compared with the premiums it collects.

Repair costs are adding to the problem. Modern vehicles contain increasingly expensive technology, including cameras, sensors, and driver-assistance systems that can make even seemingly minor damage costly to repair. Tariffs can put additional pressure on the price of imported vehicles and replacement parts.

Insurify reported that vehicle maintenance and repair costs have risen 45% over the past five years, more than three times the broader inflation rate during that period. Bodily injury and collision claims have also become substantially more expensive since 2020.

Where consumers live matters

A drivers ZIP code can have a major effect on premiums because insurers consider local accident rates, crime, weather risks, repair expenses, and other factors when setting prices.

Zacharia said consumers sometimes rush to arrange auto or homeowners insurance without fully investigating how location will affect their premiums. That can be especially costly for homebuyers, who may discover that insurance expenses in a new area are 20%, 30%, or even 40% higher than expected.

The same risk applies when buying or insuring a vehicle. Two consumers with similar driving records may receive very different quotes simply because they live in different communities.

The growing burden is also influencing voters. In the Yahoo Finance interview, the host cited an Insurify finding that about one-third of drivers said auto insurance costs would play a role in how they vote.

Although elected officials dont directly set most premiums, state regulators review insurers rate filings, while state laws can influence required coverage, litigation costs, and the factors companies are permitted to use when pricing policies.

For 2026, a new tax break for people claiming the standard deduction

Mark Huffman — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:44:50 +0000

Charitable donations up to $1,000 per taxpayer are now deductible

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

A new federal tax provision will allow non-itemizers to deduct up to $1,000 in qualifying cash donations, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly, beginning in 2026.
Donors must keep a bank record or written receipt for every cash gift, while contributions of $250 or more require a detailed acknowledgment from the charity.
Taxpayers not charitable organizations are responsible for ensuring donation records satisfy IRS requirements before filing.

A federal tax break for charitable giving will return in 2026, allowing millions of Americans who claim the standard deduction to receive a tax benefit for qualifying cash donations but only if they keep the proper records.

Single filers will be permitted to deduct up to $1,000 in eligible cash contributions, while married couples filing jointly may deduct as much as $2,000, according to Samuel Handwerger, an accounting lecturer at the University of Marylands Robert H. Smith School of Business.

The above-the-line deduction could apply to roughly 90% of taxpayers, many of whom have had little reason to retain charitable receipts since the standard deduction was substantially increased under the 2017 tax law.

Although the deduction is changing, the documentation rules are not. Handwerger said the restored benefit remains subject to the substantiation requirements of Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Youll need these records

Every cash donation requires either a bank record such as a canceled check or credit card statement or a written record from the charity identifying the organization, donation date, and amount.

For individual contributions of $250 or more, taxpayers must obtain a written acknowledgment from the charity by the time they file their return. The document must also state whether the donor received any goods or services in exchange, such as a meal, event ticket, or merchandise, and give their value when applicable.

That language can be decisive even when there is no dispute that a donation was genuine.

In the 2012 case Durden v. Commissioner, David and Veronica Durden claimed more than $25,000 in donations to their church. Although they retained canceled checks and received a letter listing their gifts, the IRS disallowed more than $22,000 because the acknowledgment failed to say whether the church had provided anything in return.

The church later issued a corrected letter, but the Tax Court rejected it because the document was obtained after the relevant filing deadline and was therefore not contemporaneous.

The donor bears the responsibility

The case illustrates an often-overlooked aspect of charitable deductions: the donor bears responsibility for obtaining a compliant acknowledgment. If a receipt is incomplete, taxpayers should ask the charity for a corrected version before submitting their return.

Handwerger advised donors to rebuild the record-keeping habits that may have faded during the years when most households received no tax benefit from charitable contributions.

Mortgage rates dip for the first time in six weeks

Mark Huffman — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:42:35 +0000

But affordability remains strained

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate slipped to 6.67% this week, its first decline in six weeks, but remained above 6.58% a year earlier.
High borrowing costs and record prices pushed existing-home sales down 1.7% in July, while first-time buyers continued to lose ground.
Buyers are gaining negotiating power in some markets as listings and price reductions increase, but affordability remains the central obstacle.

Mortgage rates edge lower, but the housing market remains stuck in an affordability squeeze

The average U.S. mortgage rate declined slightly this week, offering prospective homebuyers a measure of relief but little immediate escape from the affordability pressures weighing on the housing market.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.67% as of Aug. 13, down from 6.69% the previous week, according to Freddie Macs Primary Mortgage Market Survey. It was the first weekly decline in six weeks, although the rate remained higher than the 6.58% average recorded a year ago.

The average 15-year fixed rate also fell, to 5.96% from 6.01%. A year earlier, it averaged 5.71%.

Better than a year ago

Freddie Mac said housing affordability had improved from a year ago and noted that recent increases in purchase and refinancing applications showed borrowers responding to even modest changes in rates. Mortgage applications rose 3.6% in the first week of August, including a 3% increase in purchase applications and a 5% rise in refinancing demand, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data.

Still, the latest decline is too small to change the financial equation substantially for most households. A buyer borrowing $400,000 at 6.67% would face a monthly principal-and-interest payment of about $2,574. That excludes property taxes, insurance, homeowners association fees, and other ownership expenses.

Rates also remain far above the exceptionally low levels available during the pandemic. Many current homeowners have mortgages below 4%, creating a lock-in effect that discourages them from selling and taking out a new, substantially more expensive loan.

Expensive combination

The combination of elevated rates and high prices is keeping the market unusually sluggish. Sales of previously occupied homes declined 1.7% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales were nevertheless 0.7% higher than a year earlier.

The national median existing-home price rose 2% from a year ago to $434,100, setting a record for July. The market had 1.54 million unsold homes at the end of the month, equivalent to a 4.6-month supply at the current sales pace.

First-time buyers accounted for just 29% of July transactions, well below their historical share of roughly 40%. That group is especially sensitive to rates because its members generally have less home equity or sale proceeds to apply toward a down payment. The share of all-cash buyers and older homeowners in the market can further disadvantage younger, mortgage-dependent shoppers.

Sellers face more pressure

The result is a market that is loosening without becoming more affordable. Sellers are facing more pressure to adjust expectations, particularly in regions where supply has recovered, but prices have not fallen enough to offset financing costs.

The median U.S. listing price was $428,950 in July, down 2.4% from a year earlier, according to Realtor.coms monthly housing report. Active listings increased 2.1%, while 20% of homes on the market had received a price cut. Inventory, however, was still 11.6% below typical 20172019 levels.

Conditions vary sharply by region. July listing prices were down 3.9% in the West and 2.5% in the South, while prices edged 0.2% higher in the Midwest. More than 30% of listings in Portland and Denver had price reductions, compared with fewer than 10% in Hartford and New York City.

That divergence means buyers in some Sun Belt and Western markets may have room to negotiate over price, repairs, or closing costs. Buyers in parts of the Northeast and Midwest, where inventory remains comparatively tight, can still face competition for desirable properties.

The outlook depends heavily on inflation and the bond market. Mortgage rates do not move directly with the Federal Reserves benchmark rate; they tend to track the 10-year Treasury yield and investors expectations for inflation and economic growth. Recent easing in Treasury yields helped mortgage rates retreat this week.

Oma’s Pride recalls raw dog food over Salmonella risk

Mark Huffman — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:39:30 +0000

The product was distributed in 12 states and online

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 14, 2026

Omas Pride is recalling 639 six-pound bags of frozen raw Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe after the product was found to contain Salmonella.
The recall covers only lot BB012729, with a manufacturing date of Jan. 27, 2026, and a best-by date of Jan. 27, 2029.
Consumers should stop feeding their pets the product immediately, dispose of it safely, and contact the company for a refund.

Omas Pride has recalled one lot of its frozen raw dog food because of Salmonella contamination, a health risk that can affect both pets eating the food and people handling it.

The Avon, Connecticut-based company is recalling 639 six-pound bags of Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe, according to an announcement posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall applies specifically to:

Product: Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe
Package size: Six pounds
Lot number: BB012729
Item/SKU: F-WOOFC-6
UPC: 8 7938400145 9
Manufacturing date: Jan. 27, 2026
Best-by date: Jan. 27, 2029

Sold in 11 states

Each stand-up pouch contains 12 individually wrapped, eight-ounce vacuum-sealed portions. The product was distributed frozen to retail and wholesale customers in Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It was also shipped directly to consumers through online orders.

No other Omas Pride products, package sizes, or lots are included in the recall, the company said. The FDA notice did not specify whether any illnesses had been reported in connection with the recalled food.

Salmonella can cause illness in dogs that consume contaminated food. Symptoms in pets may include lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, reduced appetite, and abdominal pain. Some infected animals may appear healthy but can still carry the bacteria and spread it to people or other animals.

What to do

Pet owners should contact a veterinarian if an animal ate the recalled food and subsequently developed symptoms.

People can be exposed by handling contaminated pet food or touching bowls, utensils, storage containers, and other surfaces that came into contact with it. Human symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.

In uncommon cases, Salmonella infection can lead to more serious conditions, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Anyone who develops symptoms after contact with the product should consult a healthcare provider.

Consumers should stop feeding the recalled food immediately and dispose of it where children, pets, and wildlife cannot reach it. The product should not be sold or donated.

The company also advised customers to wash and sanitize pet bowls, cups, storage containers, and any utensils or surfaces that may have touched the food. Hands should be washed thoroughly after handling the product or cleaning contaminated items.

Consumers may contact Omas Pride for a refund by calling 1-800-678-OMAS between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, or by emailing hello@omaspride.com.

Omas Pride said it is investigating the contamination and conducting the voluntary recall in coordination with the FDA.

Your clutter is costing you: 7 clever ways to finally get rid of your stuff

Kyle James — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:53:11 +0000

Stop buying storage bins and start making decisions these practical rules can help

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

Stop organizing and storing stuff you dont actually need. Declutter first, then buy storage only if you still need it.
Set rules that make decisions easier. Ask whether you'd buy an item today and use a seven-day deadline for selling it.
Make clutter actually leave your home. Create a donation spot, use a one-in-one-out rule, and end every session with something going out the door.

Most of us don't have a storage problem. We have a too-much-stuff problem.

That's an important distinction because the first solution usually involves buying shelves, plastic tubs and elaborate closet organizers. The second solution is considerably cheaperowning less stuff.

But getting rid of things is harder than it sounds. There's the $150 appliance you haven't used in years, the clothes that might fit again someday, and the mysterious charging cable you're afraid to throw away because you're certain you'll need it again.

If youre feeling a bit overwhelmed, try these practical tips designed to make decluttering faster, cheaper, and considerably less painful.

1. Start with the stuff that requires zero thought

Don't begin with your wedding photos or the box of your kids' kindergarten artwork.

Start with the easy victories. Things like expired food, broken toys, dried-up pens, empty boxes, and if youre like me, those instruction manuals for appliances you no longer own.

These items require almost no emotional decision-making, and getting them out immediately creates visible progress which is important.

Once you've filled one trash or recycling bag, tackling the harder stuff doesn't seem nearly as intimidating.

Pro tip: Start with trash, not treasures. Give yourself 15 minutes and walk through the house looking only for things that unquestionably belong in the trash or recycling. Don't make any difficult decisions yet.

2. Ask the replacement question

Here's one of the most useful questions you can ask while decluttering: If I didn't already own this, would I buy it today?

It's a much better question than, "Could I possibly use this someday?" You could potentially use almost anything someday. And that's how garages end up containing 14 extension cords and six half-empty cans of paint.

Instead, imagine that the item disappeared overnight. Would you spend your hard-earned money replacing it?

If the answer is no, you've learned something important about how much you actually value it.

3. Don't turn a $15 item into a three-week project

This is where good decluttering intentions go to die.

You find something you don't want and immediately think: "I could sell this."

Next thing you know, youre snapping pics of a $15 lamp, writing a Facebook Marketplace listing, and answering "Is this available?" multiple times. Not worth the hassle in most cases.

Your time absolutely has value, so be sure to set a minimum selling threshold before you consider reselling things. Maybe you'll only individually sell items likely to bring in $30-$40 or more.

Everything below that gets bundled, donated, given away, or recycled.

Pro tip: I like to use the seven-day sales rule. If an item doesn't attract a legitimate buyer within seven days, reduce the price once. If it still doesn't sell, donate it. Dont let your "for sale" pile become permanent dcor in your bedroom or garage.

4. Create an outgoing lane

Most homes have places where clutter enters. Could be the kitchen counter, the table near the front door, or maybe the Amazon boxes in the laundry room. Far fewer homes have a designated place for all things that are leaving. So consider creating one.

Put a donation box somewhere accessible that the whole family can use. Maybe in the garage, laundry room, or coat closet. Then, when someone encounters something they don't want, they know exactly where it goes. There's no more throwing it in the corner to deal with it later.

When the box is full, its a goner. This turns the idea of decluttering from an occasional exhausting project into something that happens continuously and keeps it from getting out of control.

5. Don't buy organizers until you're finished

Don't start your decluttering project at The Container Store. This tip may save you more money than anything else in this article.

Storage bins are excellent at one simple thing: allowing us to keep more of our stuff.

Before buying a single organizer, remove everything you don't need. Then put what's left away.

You may discover you don't need additional storage at all. If you still need organizers, measure the space and buy exactly what fits.

Pro tip: Declutter first, organize second, shop third. Reversing that order often means spending money to neatly store possessions you should have gotten rid of.

6. Close the front door to new clutter

There's no point removing 10 items if you're going to buy 15 replacements. Instead, try a simple "one-in, one-out" rule for the categories that tend to multiply.

When you buy a pair of shoes, one pair leaves. New coffee mug? Goodbye, old mug. New sweatshirt? Pick one you don't wear.

For serious clutter zones, make it one-in, two-out until you've reached a comfortable amount. Better yet, institute a 30-day buying pause on nonessential household items while you're decluttering. By thinking this way, you'll often discover that you already own most of what you need.

7. Be smart about where your stuff goes

Not everything belongs in a trash can.

Items in good condition can go to charities, thrift stores, Buy Nothing groups, friends, or family. Electronics, batteries, paint, and other potentially hazardous materials may require specialized recycling at places like Best Buy or Home Depot.

If you're donating to an unfamiliar organization, verify it first. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends researching charities and checking their names along with terms such as "complaint," "review," "rating," or "scam."

Also, check donation rules before loading up your truck. Many organizations will reject mattresses, damaged furniture, recalled products, or other items they can't safely resell.

And don't use "I need to find the perfect person to give this to" as another excuse to keep something indefinitely. Finding a good enough destination today is usually better than finding the perfect destination six months from now.

The final rule: Something has to leave today

Make sure every decluttering session ends with something physically leaving your house.

Put the trash in the outside bin. Take the donations to your car. Drop off the electronics for recycling. Hand the giveaway to your neighbor.

And always keep in mind that the goal isn't to make massive organized piles in the living room, it's to have less stuff cluttering your life.

Police have abused Flock cameras. Now the company says it's tightening the rules

Kyle James — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:22:59 +0000

The cameras may photograph your car even if you've done nothing wrong

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

Flock is tightening its safeguards after cases of police officers misusing its license plate camera network.
New rules require specific reasons for searches, flag suspicious activity, and cut data retention from 30 days to seven.
Drivers should ask who can access their vehicle data, how searches are audited, and what happens when the system is misused.

Flock Safety cameras have spread rapidly across American roads, giving thousands of police departments the ability to search records showing where vehicles have been spotted.

Now the company behind those cameras is confronting an uncomfortable problem: What happens when the person doing the searching is the one abusing the system?

Flock is taking steps aimed at increasing oversight after cases in which law enforcement officers allegedly used its automatic license plate reader (ALPR) network for purposes far removed from catching car thieves or violent criminals.

Here's what drivers should know.

First, what does Flock know about your car?

Flock's roadside cameras automatically photograph passing vehicles and then create records that include the following:

License plate number
Vehicle make, model, and color
Any distinguishing characteristics
Exact location
Exact date and time

Police can then search those records as part of an investigation.

As you can imagine, these cameras can be enormously useful. A stolen vehicle might pass a Flock camera miles away from where it disappeared. A car connected to a kidnapping or violent crime could potentially be located much faster than through traditional investigative methods.

But there's another side to that capability, as a large enough network of cameras can produce numerous records of the same vehicle over time.

In one Virginia lawsuit reported by NBC News in 2025, for example, 176 cameras around Norfolk reportedly recorded one driver's vehicle 526 times in roughly four months. Another plaintiff's vehicle was recorded 849 times during a similar period.

These large numbers dont mean that police were actively following those drivers, as the cameras were simply recording the vehicles that passed by. But it does show just how much location and vehicle information can accumulate, even when youre not part of an active investigation.

So what changes is Flock making?

Every vehicle search will need a specific reason. Officers will have to enter a case code connected to an investigation and identify the type of offense, such as kidnapping or motor vehicle theft. The goal is to prevent officers from using vague explanations like "investigation" or inventing a reason for a search.
Flock will automatically flag suspicious searches. Police departments will be required to use an auditing tool that looks for unusual activity, such as an officer repeatedly searching the same license plate or conducting clusters of searches late at night. When the system spots potentially suspicious behavior, the user can be temporarily locked out until an administrator reviews it.
Vehicle data will generally be deleted after seven days. That's a significant reduction from the previous 30-day retention period. An exception will apply when information needs to be preserved as evidence in an ongoing investigation tied to a case number.
Departments will get more control over who can search their cameras. Agencies will be able to decide which types of investigations other departments can use their camera data for. For example, a department could allow outside searches involving kidnapping or homicide while blocking searches related to immigration enforcement.

5 questions to ask about Flock cameras in your community

If your city or county uses Flock cameras, you don't need to be a surveillance expert to ask the right questions.

Start with these:

Who is allowed to search the system? Ask whether every officer has access or whether searches are limited to investigators or specifically authorized personnel.
Does every search require a case number or justification? A requirement to document why a search is being performed can create an important accountability trail.
Who reviews the audit logs? This may be the most overlooked question. Ask whether supervisors conduct random or routine audits rather than waiting for someone to complain.
How long is vehicle data retained? Find out your department's actual policy rather than assuming the vendor's default applies everywhere.
What happens when someone misuses the database? There should be a written policy covering investigations, discipline, and potential loss of access.

Could community gathering places help protect brain health?

Kristen Dalli — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:55:33 +0000

For some older adults, regular group activities may be linked to a lower risk of cognitive disability

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

Older adults who joined community gathering places had a lower risk of cognitive disability if they did not already exercise regularly.
Researchers followed more than 2,700 older adults in Japan for nearly four years.
The findings suggest accessible community programs may offer another way for less-active older adults to stay engaged.

Staying connected to other people can mean more than simply having someone to chat with. New research suggests that community gathering places may also be associated with cognitive health among some older adults.

In Japan, community gathering places are designed to give residents opportunities to participate in group activities, including exercise and social interaction. These programs are part of efforts to help older adults maintain their health and independence.

Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University wanted to find out whether taking part in these gatherings was associated with a lower risk of cognitive disability and whether a person's existing exercise habits made a difference.

How the study worked

The researchers analyzed data from 3,511 adults ages 65 and older living in Habikino City, Osaka Prefecture, who had not been certified as needing long-term care when the study began. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire in early 2020, and their information was linked with long-term care insurance records.

After exclusions, 2,758 people were included in the primary analysis. Researchers tracked participants through January 2024, looking for new cases of cognitive disability. They also looked at whether participants regularly attended community gathering places and whether they had an established exercise habit.

For the study, regular exercise meant exercising enough to cause sweating for at least 30 minutes twice a week for more than a year. Community-gathering participants were people who attended at least once a week.

The researchers adjusted their analysis for factors including age, sex, health conditions, living arrangements, economic status, smoking and drinking, functional health, and depressive symptoms.

What the results mean

During a median follow-up of 3.9 years, 345 people developed cognitive disability. Among older adults who did not have regular exercise habits, those who participated in community gathering places had about half the risk of developing cognitive disability compared with those who did not participate.

The adjusted hazard ratio was 0.51, meaning the estimated risk was roughly 49% lower for participants in this group. However, researchers did not find a significant association among people who already exercised regularly.

That doesn't mean community gatherings prevent cognitive disability, since this was an observational study and cannot establish cause and effect. The researchers also noted that the study took place in one Japanese municipality, so the findings may not apply everywhere.

Still, the results point to a potentially useful role for accessible community programs particularly for older adults who aren't already physically active.

These findings support a growing direction in long-term care prevention policy, which creates opportunities for participation that are accessible to older adults who may find regular exercise difficult, researcher Kazuki Uemura said in a news release.

We hope this evidence will help inform community-based initiatives that support a wide range of older adults and contribute to policies aimed at reducing health inequalities.

Better sleep could help teens do better in school and with friends

Kristen Dalli — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:54:11 +0000

A new study finds sleep quality may play a bigger role than screen time, exercise or diet when mental health symptoms affect adolescents daily lives

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

Sleep stood out: Sleep quality was the strongest lifestyle factor connecting mental health symptoms with academic and social difficulties.
Screen time mattered, too: Reducing screen time was the second-strongest factor for academic functioning, though its effects were smaller than sleep.
Its not a cure-all: Researchers say better sleep may help, but it shouldnt replace professional mental health care when a child is struggling.

When a child or young teen is dealing with anxiety, depression, or other mental health symptoms, parents may focus on how those issues affect mood. But those challenges can also show up in everyday life, including school performance and relationships with friends.

A new study from researchers at UC Davis suggests that sleep quality may be an especially important piece of that puzzle. Researchers looked at four lifestyle factors sleep, screen time, physical activity, and diet and found that sleep was the strongest factor connecting mental health symptoms with academic and social functioning in early adolescence.

The findings don't mean that getting better sleep will solve mental health problems. Instead, they point to sleep as one potentially manageable factor that could help support young people who are already experiencing difficulties.

"This finding surprised us," researcher Jason Smucny, said in a news release. "We expected sleep to be important, but we didn't expect it to stand out so clearly above other lifestyle factors, particularly screen time.

How the researchers studied it

The researchers analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, following children across three waves when they were approximately 10 to 13 years old. The academic analysis included 6,754 participants, while the analysis of social problems included 7,550.

They examined whether four lifestyle factors sleep quality, weekend screen time, physical activity, and adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet helped explain relationships between mental health symptoms and later outcomes.

The researchers looked at symptoms including depression, anxiety, and distressing psychotic-like experiences. They then examined two outcomes measured later: school grades and social problems.

They also considered factors such as age, sex, and study site, along with environmental circumstances including financial adversity, family conflict, and the school environment.

What the results mean for families

Sleep consistently emerged as the standout factor.

For academic functioning, sleep quality accounted for 36.3% of the association between anxiety and later academic performance, 18.5% of the association involving depression, and 8.3% involving distressing psychotic-like experiences. Screen time was generally the second-strongest factor, while exercise and diet had smaller effects.

The connection was even more striking when researchers looked at social problems. Sleep was the only lifestyle factor that consistently showed a significant mediating effect across depression, anxiety, and distressing psychotic-like experiences, accounting for roughly 20% to 23% of those associations.

There was an important caveat, though: the study was observational, so it can't prove that poor sleep causes academic or social problems. The researchers also found that financial adversity and other environmental challenges could change these relationships.

For families, the takeaway is relatively simple: sleep is worth paying attention to when a young person is struggling but it's one piece of a much bigger picture, not a replacement for mental health care.

Sleep is something parents and families can address, researcher Tara Niendam said in the release. While it won't solve every mental health challenge, healthy sleep routines are a practical way to support a child's emotional well-being and day-to-day functioning."

1 in 3 patients skip doctor visits because of anxiety. Here’s what can help

Kristen Dalli — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:52:10 +0000

A new survey finds anxiety is a major reason people put off care and experts say there are simple ways to make healthcare visits feel less overwhelming

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

One in three patients say theyve skipped, canceled, or rescheduled a healthcare appointment because they felt anxious or nervous about going.
Missing care can have consequences, including running out of medication, worsening symptoms, or eventually needing urgent or emergency care.
Making appointments easier to manage including offering text reminders, online scheduling and easy rescheduling could help reduce anxiety and keep patients connected to care.

Going to the doctor sounds simple enough, but for some people, making it through the front door can be the hardest part. Anxiety about an appointment, fear of bad news, discomfort with medical settings, or even the stress of making a phone call can all lead patients to put off care.

A new survey from Tebra found that 71% of Americans have missed, canceled, or rescheduled a healthcare appointment in the past year. Even more striking, 33% said they did so specifically because they felt anxious or nervous about going.

That hesitation can have real consequences. Among patients who skipped care, 59% said they experienced a negative outcome, including running out of medication, having a health condition worsen, or eventually needing emergency care.

So why does healthcare anxiety have such a strong hold on patients and what can people do when nervousness keeps them from getting the care they need? ConsumerAffairs spoke with Kristin Trick, MA, LCMHC-QS, LPC-S, RPT-S, to better understand why healthcare visits can feel so overwhelming and how patients can make them a little easier to manage.

Why are patients skipping appointments?

The survey identified which types of appointments patients are most likely to cancel:

Dentist appointments (49%)
Specialists (29%)
Gynecology/urology (28%)
Blood tests/medical imaging (28%

From this information, it would appear that the occurrence of anxiety may stem from fears of pain, uncertainties about results, or the sensitivity of particular forms of treatment, Dr. Trick said. In addition, the survey showed that 64% of respondents would not inform their provider of the actual reason for their absence.

The risks of canceling appointments

Dr. Trick explained that delayed treatment is the most prominent consequence of canceling doctors appointments.

Among the individuals who failed to make it for their scheduled visit, 36% had to wait for a long time, 22% had exhausted all their medicines, 15% reported deteriorating symptoms, and 8% even ended up in an urgent care facility or an emergency room, she said. Health facilities can avoid all these results by ensuring that rescheduling is not a difficult process and by following up with those who fail to show up for important visits.

Another factor to consider: Patients who use insurance run the risk of shortening their coverage length when they miss appointments, which delays treatment.

If a client misses their November session and cant be rescheduled until January, their deductible will be reset so theyll pay a much higher rate when they couldve applied significant coverage in the original appointment, Dr. Trick said.

Digital tools can help ease anxiety

The survey also found that some patients feel anxious when they have to call a doctors office and cancel or reschedule their appointment.

The solution? Adopting the latest technology to help ease some of those nerves.

What patients want more than anything else is ease and convenience, Dr. Trick said. SMS alerts turned out to be the most frequently chosen solution with 58% of people selecting it; then came the online appointment booking sites with 43%, followed by one-click cancel or re-scheduling options with 37%; and lastly, email alerts received 30% of votes.

Digital convenience is a must if healthcare practices want to retain patients. The ability to reschedule an appointment electronically promotes efficiency, as well as supports privacy. Ive had several clients cancel appointments over the years due to medical emergencies or sudden deaths of loved ones. No one in those situations wants to manage their calendar or make phone calls to revise plans. Enabling appointment changes through text or portal messages takes the burden off patients who need to cancel due to crisis.

Decreasing anxiety

To help patients feel less anxious and ensure they have the ability to cancel and reschedule their appointments to maintain continuity of care, Dr. Trick shared some strategies for healthcare organizations.

Inform patients in advance about what to expect during their appointment.
Train employees to react empathetically towards anxious patients.
Provide the possibility for private communication for those patients.
Use supportive messaging in cases of canceled visits rather than a punitive one.
Be clear and direct with cancellation policies and rescheduling options.

Anxiety originates from and is perpetuated by fear of the unknown, Dr. Trick said. When facts and details are provided and repeated, both written and verbal, clients anxiety about appointments decreases.

The most important insight here is that no-shows do not necessarily indicate a lack of concern for one's own health by patients. Rather, they are more likely caused by various obstacles such as anxiety, work-related issues, cost problems, and difficult scheduling procedures. By concentrating on getting rid of such obstacles by demonstrating empathy and increasing accessibility, practices can positively influence attendance and patient relations in general.

Social Security’s projected 2027 COLA falls to 3.6% as inflation eases

Mark Huffman — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:57:48 +0000

Two more months data will determine the actual number

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

The Senior Citizens League projects a 3.6% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2027, down from its 3.8% estimate in July.
A 3.6% adjustment would add about $69.75 to the average monthly benefit used in the groups analysis, raising it from $1,937.53 to $2,007.28.
The estimate remains preliminary, with August and September inflation figures still to be included before the official adjustment is announced in October.

Social Security recipients could receive a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment in 2027, according to a new projection from The Senior Citizens League. However, two months of inflation data remain before the final figure is determined.

The nonpartisan seniors advocacy group lowered its forecast from 3.8% in July. Despite that decline, the projected adjustment would be 0.8 percentage points higher than the 2.8% increase beneficiaries received for 2026.

If a 3.6% adjustment took effect using the average benefit cited by the group, monthly payments would rise by approximately $69.75, from $1,937.53 to $2,007.28. The actual increase for each recipient would depend on the persons current benefit.

The forecast was updated after the release of July inflation figures, the first of three months used in calculating the annual Social Security adjustment. The official COLA is based on the average Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or CPI-W, during July, August, and September, compared with the corresponding average from the previous year.

August and September prices are key

Because data for August and September are not yet available, the 3.6% figure remains subject to change. The Social Security Administration is expected to announce the official 2027 adjustment in October, with higher payments beginning in January.

The Senior Citizens League produces a new forecast each month using a statistical model that incorporates consumer prices, interest rates, and the national unemployment rate. Its estimates change as economic conditions and new inflation data emerge.

For beneficiaries, a larger COLA can help offset rising household expenses, but it does not necessarily translate into an equivalent improvement in purchasing power. Older Americans often devote a substantial share of their income to housing, healthcare, insurance, utilities, and food. Increases in Medicare premiums can also absorb part of the additional Social Security income received by beneficiaries enrolled in the program.

Secret Service escalates war on credit card skimmers

Mark Huffman — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:23:12 +0000

But the devices remain stubbornly hard to stop

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

Secret Service agents found 35 skimmers during a three-day New York City sweep in June, estimating they prevented $36.5 million in potential fraud.
The devices can be installed in seconds, closely imitate legitimate terminals, and transmit stolen card data wirelessly.
Skimming persists partly because most benefit cards still rely on vulnerable magnetic stripes instead of fraud-resistant chips.

The U.S. Secret Service is intensifying a nationwide campaign against payment-card skimming, conducting coordinated sweeps of stores, ATMs, and fuel pumps as increasingly discreet devices threaten consumers and recipients of government benefits.

In one of its largest recent operations, 14 teams inspected 3,935 payment terminals at 1,010 businesses across New York City from June 23 through June 25. Agents and local authorities removed 35 illegal skimmers 15 in Brooklyn, 10 in Queens, nine in the Bronx, and one in Manhattan preventing an estimated $36.5 million in potential losses, according to the Secret Services account of the operation.

The sweep, conducted with the New York Police Department, the city Department of Investigation, and the Agriculture Departments inspector general, was the fourth major skimming operation in the city. Together, those efforts have uncovered 133 devices and prevented an estimated $139 million in losses.

The New York crackdown follows a broad expansion of the Secret Services anti-skimming work. During 2025, the agency led 22 outreach operations, examined roughly 60,000 terminals at more than 9,000 businesses and removed 411 devices. It estimated the interventions prevented more than $428 million in fraud. Agents have continued conducting operations in cities including Dallas, Houston, and communities in Northern California this year.

A device that hides in plain sight

A skimmer captures information from a cards magnetic strip. Criminals may combine it with a false keypad or miniature camera that records a customers PIN, then encode the stolen information onto another card and use it to withdraw cash or make purchases.

Some skimmers are installed inside fuel pumps, where customers cannot see them. Others are molded overlays that fit so precisely over a point-of-sale terminal that they can pass a casual inspection.

The devices also require remarkably little time to deploy. Criminals can attach one in seconds, sometimes while an accomplice distracts a cashier. Once installed, a skimmer may store account information for later collection or transmit it wirelessly in real time, according to the FBIs skimming guidance.

That combination speed, concealment, and remote data collection creates a difficult enforcement problem. Removing a device stops one stream of theft, but it does not necessarily identify the installer or the broader criminal organization. Nor does it prevent another inexpensive overlay from being placed on the same terminal later.

What to do

Consumers can sharply reduce their risk with a few habits:

Tap instead of swiping. Contactless cards and mobile wallets are generally safest. Otherwise, use the chip rather than the magnetic strip.
Inspect the terminal. Look for loose, crooked, unusually thick, or mismatched parts. Gently pull on the card slot and keypad; dont use the machine if anything moves or looks altered.
Cover the keypad. Shield your hand while entering a PIN to defeat hidden cameras.
Choose safer machines. Prefer bank-owned indoor ATMs and fuel pumps visible to store employees. At gas stations, consider paying inside.
Use credit instead of debit. Credit cards usually provide stronger fraud protections and dont expose money directly from your checking account.
Enable instant transaction alerts. Review bank and benefit accounts frequently so fraudulent activity is caught quickly.
Lock cards between uses. Many banking and EBT apps let users temporarily freeze cards or block out-of-state and online transactions.
Protect EBT benefits. Change the PIN regularly particularly before monthly benefits arrive and avoid easy combinations such as 1234.
Never disclose a PIN by phone, text or email. Banks and benefit agencies will not contact you to request it.

If you detect an unauthorized transaction, immediately lock the card, contact the issuer, change the PIN, and request a replacement. Report suspected skimming to the store or ATM operator and the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Cyclospora outbreak drives down lettuce demand as search for other sources continues

Mark Huffman — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:49:34 +0000

Parsley and cilantro may also be possible sources of illnesses

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

The CDC has recorded 13,895 laboratory-confirmed, domestically acquired Cyclospora infections since May 1, including 740 hospitalizations and two deaths.
U.S. lettuce prices plunged 16.4% in July, while salad chain Sweetgreen said the scare cut roughly six percentage points from its July comparable sales.
Investigators are examining parsley and cilantro as possible sources of illnesses not explained by the lettuce outbreak, but neither food has been confirmed.

One statistic stood out in the release of the July Consumer Price Index. While most food prices continued to edge higher or remained flat, the price of lettuce plunged more than 16%.

The largest identified cluster in this summers extraordinary surge of Cyclospora infections remains tied to iceberg lettuce, but federal and state health authorities are still trying to explain thousands of additional illnesses and the uncertainty is taking a widening toll on lettuce and salad sales.

As of Aug. 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had received reports of 13,895 laboratory-confirmed infections acquired in the United States since May 1. At least 740 patients were hospitalized and two died.

The CDC is also reviewing at least 10,455 additional cases that either lack laboratory confirmation or require more investigation. By comparison, only 1,180 domestic cases were reported during the comparable 2025 surveillance season.

Not just lettuce

Of the confirmed cases, 6,358 have been assigned to the multistate outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and processed by Taylor Farms de Mexico. That outbreak has produced at least 278 hospitalizations and two deaths across 15 states, according to the most recent outbreak-specific update, dated Aug. 5. Illnesses began between June 22 and July 31.

Taylor Farms recalled the implicated lettuce on July 17 after epidemiological interviews and supply-chain tracing converged on the companys Mexican operation. The recall covered iceberg lettuce sold to restaurants and food-service customers, along with Marketside-branded iceberg salad and shredded lettuce sold at select Walmart stores.

The recalled products best-by dates have now passed, and officials say they should no longer be on store or restaurant shelves. The investigation remains open, however, partly because it can take as long as six weeks to connect a reported illness to the outbreak.

Observing the changes

The commercial repercussions have extended beyond the recalled products. The Labor Departments lettuce price index fell a seasonally adjusted 16.4% in July from June, an unusually steep decline that coincided with the recall and a broader drop in consumer demand.

A falling price is not the same as a direct measure of unit sales, and comprehensive national retail-volume figures have not been publicly released, but restaurant disclosures provide clearer evidence that customers have been avoiding salads and other fresh foods.

Sweetgreen, which does not serve iceberg lettuce and has not been linked to the outbreak, said Cyclospora headlines reduced its July comparable sales by about 600 basis points, or six percentage points. The company now expects same-store sales to fall 7% to 8% for all of 2026, compared with its previous projection of a 2% to 4% decline. Second-quarter comparable sales were already down 6.2%.

The spillover has not been uniform. Cava, which says it neither uses iceberg lettuce nor sources leafy greens from Mexico, reported only a temporary effect and said comparable-sales growth subsequently returned to the mid-single digits. The contrasting results suggest that the outbreak has damaged consumer confidence in fresh prepared food generally, while its effect on individual businesses depends on menu mix, customer base, and how clearly companies communicate their sourcing.

What about other foods?

Are investigators closer to finding other sources of the outbreak?

Only slightly and there is still no confirmed answer.

The iceberg-lettuce outbreak accounts for fewer than half of the laboratory-confirmed domestic cases reported by the CDC. The agency says it is investigating multiple additional clusters, but it has not publicly identified a food source for most of them.

North Carolina has provided the strongest clue. State officials reported 906 cases since May as of Aug. 11, including 31 hospitalizations. Interviews show that patients ate parsley and cilantro more frequently than would normally be expected, making the herbs leading candidates in that states investigation. North Carolina officials say their increase does not appear to be associated with the Taco Bell-centered lettuce outbreak.

But the evidence remains circumstantial. Many North Carolina patients reported eating neither herb, suggesting multiple sources may be involved, and investigators have not traced contaminated parsley or cilantro to a particular farm, supplier, or product. No recall has been issued for either herb in connection with Cyclospora.

Survey shows most Americans would trust AI to shop for them

Mark Huffman — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:44:48 +0000

Consumers are more trusting of AI than previously believed

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

69% of Americans are open to letting AI make purchases on their behalf without approving each transaction, according to a Croud survey.
Three-quarters would use AI-powered instant checkout in at least one product category, with routine purchases attracting the most trust.
Amazon, Target, and Walmart are already integrating conversational or agentic AI into product discovery, cart building, and checkout.

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond recommending products and toward completing purchases, with a majority of Americans expressing a willingness to give the technology at least some buying authority.

Nearly seven in 10 Americans 69% would allow AI to purchase something for them without seeking approval for the individual transaction, according to the latest Croud Consumer Index. Three in four respondents said they would use an AI-powered instant-checkout service in at least one category.

The findings come from a nationally representative survey of more than 2,000 U.S. consumers conducted for Croud, a global media, data, and creative agency. They suggest shoppers may be more receptive to automated commerce than many brands assume, although the results were announced by the company that commissioned the research and should be viewed in that context. Crouds press release did not disclose detailed field dates or a margin of error.

Consumers appear most comfortable delegating low-risk, repetitive purchases such as groceries and household essentials. Half said they would be comfortable allowing AI to buy products across at least three categories.

Not yet on autopilot

Yet shoppers are not necessarily surrendering judgment to machines. Among people who use AI, 73% consult large language models while researching products before selecting a particular brand. But 39% check an AI recommendation against four or more additional sources before purchasing, and more than one-third turn to YouTube for further validation.

That combination machine-generated discovery followed by human reviews, creators, and other independent signals is what Croud calls the validation economy.

Ironically, AI is making the consumer journey more human, not less, Croud U.S. CEO Val Davis said in the release. As AI introduces shoppers to more choices, she said, recommendations from creators and communities, customer reviews, and brand storytelling become increasingly important in converting interest into a sale.

Retailers are already preparing for that shift.

What retailers are already doing

Amazons shopping assistant, originally introduced as Rufus and renamed Alexa for Shopping in May 2026, can recommend and compare products, add multiple items to a cart, and reorder previous purchases. It can also automatically buy an item when its price falls to a customer-defined level.

Amazon says the system uses the shoppers default payment and shipping information and provides a 24-hour cancellation window after an automated order is placed. The company also offers Buy for Me, through which its AI can purchase some products from other merchants. Amazon says more than 250 million customers used the assistant during 2026.

Target has embedded its assortment in several conversational platforms. Shoppers can browse and buy Target products through Google Search and Gemini, make purchases inside Microsoft Copilot, and use Targets app in ChatGPT to receive recommendations, assemble multi-item baskets, and select shipping, pickup, or Drive Up.

Target says shoppers retain control and confirm their purchases, distinguishing these services from fully autonomous buying. The retailer reported that traffic arriving from AI platforms rose 2,000% year over year during the first quarter. Target detailed the integrations in June.

Walmart-Google partnership

Walmart is pursuing a similar model. Its partnership with Google is designed to surface Walmart and Sams Club products during Gemini conversations and connect product discovery with customers carts, purchase histories, and membership benefits.

Walmart has also announced a shopping integration with ChatGPT. Its planned Gemini experience can recommend complementary products and support delivery from local stores, including some orders arriving in as little as 30 minutes. Walmart has described agent-led commerce as the next major evolution in retail.

The Croud research also points to a potentially lucrative opportunity in fashion. Consumers who use AI while shopping for clothing spend 56% more than non-users, according to the survey, and are 23% more likely to search by style or aesthetic instead of relying on conventional brand or product keywords.

Clinicians explore using artificial intelligence to support home care

Mark Huffman — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:40:29 +0000

Researchers stress the importance of preserving the human touch

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

August 13, 2026

AI could help older adults remain independent by improving fall detection, health monitoring, and coordination among caregivers.

Home-care agencies are already using the technology for scheduling, training, documentation, and other administrative work.

Privacy breaches, inaccurate alerts, algorithmic bias, and excessive automation could undermine care unless strong safeguards and human oversight are maintained.

The aging baby boom population will soon need help if they plan to stay in their home as they age, exposing gaps in in-home care that are likely to grow in the years ahead.

But there may be hope on the horizon. Artificial intelligence could give home-care workers more time to care for people while helping older adults live safely and independently. But experts in the field stress that it will only work if the technology is introduced with firm protections for privacy, autonomy, and human judgment.

That is the central conclusion of A New Era of Care, a three-report research series released by the National Council on Aging. The federally supported project examines how AI is entering home- and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities.

High stakes

The stakes are high. Approximately 63 million unpaid family caregivers and more than 3.2 million paid home-care workers support people in their homes, according to the research. Demand is rising as the population ages, but low wages and high employee turnover continue to threaten the availability and continuity of care.

AI may offer some relief not by replacing caregivers, but by extending their capacity.

Home-care providers are already using AI-assisted systems for scheduling, hiring, training, claims processing, and regulatory compliance. Other applications directly affect care: sensors can detect movement or changes in daily routines, fall-detection tools can alert family members or professionals, and predictive systems can flag patterns that may indicate a growing health or safety risk.

AI can also help caregivers record visits, share information across care teams, and complete reports. Reducing that administrative burden could leave workers more time for the interpersonal work that technology cannot reproduce, including observing subtle changes, building trust, and responding with empathy.

When implemented well, AI can give home care workers more time to focus on people rather than paperwork, Nicole Howell, director of direct care workforce development at the National Council on Aging, said in a statement.

The federal research describes AI as a potential workforce multiplier. Its value, in that view, lies in supporting workers and promoting independence not in removing people from the care relationship. The reports say early research suggests AI is more likely to augment home-care jobs than eliminate them.

The risks

That promise comes with substantial risks.

Home-care technologies can collect exceptionally sensitive information, including health details, movements inside a residence, and data about daily behavior. Without meaningful consent and strong security controls, monitoring intended to protect an older adult could become intrusive surveillance or expose both clients and workers to misuse of their information.

Accuracy presents another challenge. A fall-detection system that misses an emergency could delay assistance, while repeated false alarms could waste caregivers time and cause users to stop trusting the system. Generative AI may also produce confident but incorrect summaries or recommendations, making human review essential whenever its output could influence care.

Bias is a further concern. Systems trained on incomplete or unrepresentative data may work less reliably for people with disabilities, members of certain racial or ethnic groups, or residents of rural communities. Poorly designed tools may also be difficult for older adults or workers with limited digital access to use, deepening disparities instead of reducing them.

Automations downside

The reports warn that automation could erode personal autonomy as well. A system might identify a course of action as efficient or safe without reflecting an individuals preferences, culture, or tolerance for risk. Decisions about how a person lives cannot be reduced to a prediction score.

The researchers recommend including older adults, people with disabilities, and direct-care workers in the design and selection of AI tools. They also call for clear governance, transparency, independent evaluation, and sustained human oversight. Agencies will need to establish who is responsible when a system makes an error and ensure that new technology fits existing workflows rather than adding another layer of stress.

Investment in AI should not become a substitute for improving wages, training, and working conditions, the research cautions. Technology may reduce paperwork, but it cannot by itself solve the workforce shortage or provide the relationships at the heart of home care.

I sold a truck on Craigslist. Here are the scams I encountered —and how to avoid them

Kyle James — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:31:52 +0000

Think youve found a buyer? Watch for these Craigslist red flags

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

August 12, 2026

Beware of vehicle history report requests: Never pay for a report from a site a buyer insists you use, especially if you've never heard of the site before.
Watch for scripted behavior. This includes refusing to talk on the phone, ignoring your listing, and creating fake cash now urgency.
Set ground rules before selling. Avoid clicking unfamiliar links, protect your personal information, and always verify payment before handing over the title.

Within minutes of posting my dad's 2008 Ford F-150 for sale on Craigslist, my phone filled with texts from "buyers." Some were legitimate, while others were trying to scam me. The problem is that it can be hard to tell the difference, especially for seniors or those who arent tech savvy.

If you're planning to sell a vehicle privately, here's what I learned, and more importantly, how you can protect yourself. Screenshots of my actual text conversations are included so youll know exactly what wording to look for.

Scam #1: The fake vehicle history report request

This was by far the most convincing scam and the conversation started exactly how you'd expect.

"I'm interested."

"I'd like to come see it."

Then came the catch.

"Can you show me the VinData360 inspection report?"

Later the buyer followed up with:

"Before I come, I want to see the Vin Data 360 report."

At first, that might sound perfectly reasonable, as most buyers want to review a vehicle history report before making a purchase.

But scammers take advantage of that expectation by steering sellers to obscure websites you've probably never heard of.

Their goal isn't to buy your truck. It's to convince you to purchase a report from a site they control. Some sites charge $30 to $70 for a worthless report. Others go a step further and collect your credit card information or personal details.

Pro tip: If a buyer insists on one specific vehicle history website, that's a major red flag. A legitimate buyer can purchase any report they want using the VIN you provide. If you've already purchased a CARFAX or AutoCheck report, simply offer that. If they don't trust it, they can buy another report themselves, but don't pay for one just because a stranger asks.

Scam #2: Buyers who refuse to talk on the phone

One buyer, in particular, seemed very eager via text messages.

They wanted to meet, but they had zero questions for me about the truck. They introduced themselves by name, and then asked my name. Everything sounded fairly normal.

So, I replied with one simple request.

"You'll need to call me to set something up."

Immediately the excuses began.

"I'm at work. That's why I'm texting."

Later they promised: "I'll call you in the evening."

Not surprisingly, the call never came. By asking them to call you directly, this becomes one of the simplest ways to filter out scammers.

Most real buyers have no problem spending two minutes on the phone before driving across town.

Scammers often avoid live conversations because it exposes fake identities, scripted responses, overseas call centers, or simply because they're trying to contact hundreds of sellers at once.

Pro tip: Require a short phone conversation before giving out your address or scheduling a meeting. By doing so, you'll eliminate a surprising number of scammers in less than a minute.

Scam #3: They never actually read your listing

Another clue appeared almost immediately.

One buyer asked:

"How long have you owned it? Are you the first owner?"

The answers were clearly stated in the Craigslist ad, with the words original owner in the actual ad title.

That doesn't automatically make someone a scammer, as many buyers only skim the listings. But the fact remains that scammers often send identical messages to hundreds of sellers without ever reading anything. They're simply following a script.

Real buyers usually ask thoughtful follow-up questions about maintenance records, tires, recent repairs, or why you're selling.

The key here is knowing that scammers rarely move beyond their template.

Pro tip: A well-written listing saves time. Include maintenance history, ownership, title status, mileage, known issues, and plenty of photos. Serious buyers will appreciate the detail and scammers often expose themselves immediately by asking questions you've already answered.

Scam #4: Fake urgency

Notice how quickly many scammers try to build your excitement.

"I have cash on hand."

"I'll come today."

"I'll buy it now."

The goal is to get you emotionally invested before slipping in the real request usually paying for a vehicle history report or wanting you to click on an unfamiliar website.

Professional scammers understand psychology and once sellers believe they've found the perfect buyer, they're more willing to overlook warning signs.

Very few legit buyers are going to make you a cash offer without ever laying eyes on the vehicle.

The screenshot above was from Facebook Marketplace when I decided to also list the truck on that selling platform. So, while the scammers were less prevalent on Facebook, they still did exist, so be cautious.

Pro tip: Cash means nothing until someone is standing in front of you with it. Treat every inquiry the same until you've verified the buyer is legitimate.

Other Craigslist vehicle scams to watch for

Here are several other scams you should be aware of.

The overpayment scam. The buyer "accidentally" sends too much money and asks you to refund the difference. Eventually the original payment bounces, leaving you responsible for the money you refunded.
Fake cashier's checks. A cashier's check can look authentic while still being counterfeit. Banks sometimes make funds available before the check fully clears which is a process that can take several days.
Six-digit verification code scams. Someone claims they need to verify you're real and asks you to text back a verification code. That code is often being used to hijack one of your online accounts or create a Google Voice number tied to your phone.
Shipping company scams. The buyer claims they're out of state and will send movers after you receive payment. The payment eventually disappears.

How to protect yourself

Selling privately doesn't have to be risky.

Following a few basic rules dramatically reduces your chances of becoming a victim.

Meet somewhere safe. Many police departments now offer Safe Exchange Zones with surveillance cameras specifically for online transactions.
Never purchase reports for buyers. If they want another vehicle history report, they can buy it themselves.
Keep personal information private. Don't send photos of your driver's license, registration, or title before meeting.
Accept secure payment. Cash remains the simplest option. If using a cashier's check, meet at the issuing bank and verify that its legit before signing over the title.
Trust your gut instinct. If the conversation feels scripted, rushed, or overly complicated, move on. Remember, another buyer will always come along.

Before listing your vehicle on any online platform, purchase a reputable vehicle history report, gather your maintenance records, and write a detailed description of the vehicle.

Also, make a pact with yourself that you won't click on unfamiliar links or buy anything at a stranger's request. While it sounds obvious, having clear ground rules in place before the first text arrives makes it much easier to recognize (and avoid) scams.

The viral $119 Target MacBook deal looked legit — until I clicked

Kyle James — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:06:34 +0000

The too-good-to-be-true deal led somewhere I never expected

By Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs

August 12, 2026

The viral $119 Target MacBook deal isnt real following it leads to a third-party rewards site, not Target.
The promised $750 gift card comes with major strings attached, including completing multiple partner offers, trials, and sign-ups.
Verify viral deals directly with the retailer and beware of fake comments, unfamiliar URLs, and phrases like up to or required offers.

I was recently scrolling through TikTok when an offer stopped me in my tracks: a MacBook Neo for just $119.99 at Target.

And at first glance, it looked absolutely legit. Maybe you saw the same TikTok and it brought you to this page when you researched its legitimacy.

The video appeared to be filmed inside a Target store, with red shopping carts, the electronics department, and a large promotional sign displaying Target's bullseye. The sign showed the MacBook's original $699 price slashed to $119.99 with a "Student Discount Applied." The TikTok added urgency, telling viewers to take advantage of the offer before August 28.

It was convincing enough that I decided to investigate.

That's when things got weird.

When I started to try and find the promotion, it didn't take me to Target.com or to a page where I could buy a $119 MacBook. Instead, I ended up at PerkDream.com, a third-party website prominently displaying Target's bullseye and advertising a "$750 TARGET GIFT CARD FOR YOUR FEEDBACK!"

And once I started reading the details, the offer looked very different.

The $750 isn't just for answering questions

The PerkDream page says, "Target is rewarding customers with a $750 gift card for sharing their shopping experience."

That certainly makes it sound like a consumer survey with a very generous reward.

But farther down the page, PerkDream explains that visitors need to enter their name and email and complete three to five "partner deals" to unlock the full reward.

The site says each deal must be completed "from start to completion," and its FAQ says some deals may require a sign-up or trial.

There's another phrase worth noticing. The final step doesn't simply say you'll receive $750. It says you can "claim up to $750" in a Target gift card.

That's a significant distinction.

After going down the rabbit hole and trying to claim enough offers to qualify for the $750 reward, I finally gave up. It quickly turned into a long chain of tasks, app sign-ups, and questions that never led to anything. In reality, all it seemed to accomplish was generating commissions for the site each time I signed up for one of its partner offers.

Also, at no point was there any confirmation that this site had anything to do with Target.

What happened to the $119 MacBook?

This may be the biggest red flag of all.

The TikTok got my attention with what appeared to be an incredible Target MacBook discount. But once I followed the promotion, the $119 MacBook essentially disappeared.

Instead, I was presented with an entirely different offer involving personal information, partner deals, and the possibility of receiving a gift card. I had fallen for the classic bait and switch, an age-old tactic dressed up for the TikTok era.

That's why consumers shouldn't use a social media link itself to verify an incredible deal.

If a TikTok says Target has a MacBook for $119, go directly to Target's website or app and search for the deal yourself. Don't assume a Target logo or footage filmed inside a store means the promotion is actually from Target.

Pro tip: Ignore the comments. The comments section on the TikTok video included many fake glowing comments on how they easily found the $119 MacBook and how their local Target was running low, so you should hurry.

How to protect yourself

Check the URL first. If you think you're responding to a Target promotion but you're sent somewhere other than Target.com, find out who operates the website before entering information. The same goes for any retailer not just Target.
Watch for little words with big consequences. "Up to," "required offers," "partner deals," and "trial" can dramatically change what you have to do to qualify.
Don't enter a credit card without reading the terms. A free trial may eventually become a paid subscription. Know the price, billing date, and cancellation requirements before signing up.
Take screenshots. If you decide to participate in any rewards program, save the original advertisement, terms, eligibility requirements, and proof that you completed each required step.
Already signed up for a trial? Put the cancellation deadline on your calendar and watch your bank or credit card statements for unexpected charges.

GLP-1 drugs may offer a surprising bone benefit

Kristen Dalli — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:00:32 +0000

New study finds lower fracture risk among adults with type 2 diabetes taking GLP-1 medications

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

August 12, 2026

A large study linked GLP-1 drugs to a 21% lower risk of fragility fractures in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers analyzed health records from more than 133,000 people who started either a GLP-1 drug or another diabetes medication.
The findings are promising, but researchers say more studies are needed to determine whether GLP-1 drugs actually protect bones.

GLP-1 medications have become widely used for managing type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, helping people lose weight.

But that weight loss has raised an important question: Could losing weight quickly make bones more vulnerable to fractures?

A new study from UCLA Health offers some encouraging news. Researchers found that adults with type 2 diabetes who started taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist had a lower risk of experiencing a fragility fracture over three years than those who started a different type of diabetes medication.

Fragility fractures can happen after relatively minor trauma, such as a fall from standing height, and are often associated with underlying bone weakness.

How researchers studied the question

The researchers used electronic health records from the TriNetX Research Network, a large U.S. database. They looked at adults ages 50 to 90 with type 2 diabetes who newly started either a GLP-1 receptor agonist or a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, commonly called a DPP-4 inhibitor.

The study ultimately compared 133,606 people, with 66,803 patients in each group after researchers matched the groups based on characteristics that could affect their fracture risk. The participants were followed for up to three years.

Fractures are relatively uncommon, so very large studies are needed to detect a meaningful difference, researcher Dr. Christopher Hamad said in a news release. Most previous studies were too small or were not designed to answer this question, and having data from more than 133,000 patients allowed us to better understand how GLP-1 medications may affect fracture risk and bone health.

Researchers also examined whether changes in body mass index and blood sugar levels could explain the difference in fracture risk. A separate analysis compared fracture outcomes among people with and without type 2 diabetes.

What the results mean for consumers

Over the three-year study period, people who started a GLP-1 drug had a 21% lower risk of fragility fractures than those who started a DPP-4 inhibitor. The biggest reductions were seen in fractures involving the spine, hip, and femur.

The researchers also found that the lower fracture risk remained even after accounting for changes in body weight and blood sugar levels. That suggests the potential connection between GLP-1 drugs and bone health may involve more than simply weight loss or improved diabetes control.

Still, there is an important caveat: This was a retrospective observational study, so it can identify an association but cannot prove that GLP-1 medications themselves prevent fractures. The researchers say prospective studies are needed to establish whether the drugs have a protective effect on bones and to better understand their long-term impact on skeletal health.

Financial firms are betting big on AI — but there’s a catch

Kristen Dalli — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:59:10 +0000

AI could reshape jobs in banking, insurance, and investing, but companies are still figuring out what that means for workers and customers

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs

August 12, 2026

Financial services companies are moving quickly to adopt AI, but many say they arent moving fast enough.
Nearly eight in 10 executives expect their workforces to shrink by at least 20% over the next five years.
Companies are paying more for AI skills while still working out how to manage the technologys risks.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of the financial services industry, from banking and insurance to investment management. But while companies are investing heavily in the technology, theyre also facing a big question: What happens to the people who work alongside it?

According to PwC, financial services firms are planning for AI to change the size and makeup of their workforces. Nearly eight in 10 executives surveyed expect their workforce to shrink by at least 20% over the next five years. Entry-level positions could be particularly vulnerable, with 30% of executives identifying them as the area most likely to be disrupted by AI.

At the same time, companies arent simply replacing workers with technology. Many are planning to hire people with AI skills, retrain existing employees, and pay more for workers who know how to use AI effectively.

How the survey was conducted

PwC surveyed 1,004 executives at U.S. financial services companies between May 12 and May 22, 2026. All of the companies represented in the survey had at least $500 million in revenue, and respondents were director-level employees or above.

The participants were evenly divided among four areas of the financial services industry: asset and wealth management, banking and capital markets, insurance, and private equity.

The survey asked executives about their companies use of AI, workforce planning, hiring and training strategies, productivity, and how theyre managing the risks associated with increasingly advanced AI tools.

What this could mean for consumers

For consumers, these changes could eventually show up in the way financial companies operate and interact with customers.

PwC found that 49% of executives are using AI to improve productivity, while 48% are focused on reducing time spent on routine work. Leaders said they see the biggest potential productivity gains in areas including technology, risk management, and operations.

But the benefits arent guaranteed. Seventy-seven percent of executives said most of their AI investments arent currently delivering measurable returns.

There are also concerns around how AI is being used. Nearly nine in 10 executives said their companies have clear ownership and accountability for AI agent decisions, but theres still little agreement about who should ultimately be responsible when an AI system causes significant harm.

Meanwhile, 90% said employees using AI tools outside centrally governed systems creates regulatory risk.

For consumers, that means the financial industrys AI transition is still very much a work in progress. Companies are betting that the technology can make operations more efficient, but theyre also having to figure out how to use it responsibly and how much of the work should remain in human hands.