Consumer World

Week of October 14, 2024
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Consumer News Quickies

10 Metro Areas Where Home Prices Are Falling



The 4 Healthiest Types of Fish


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List of Additional Big Lots Store Closings

Are Safe Deposit Boxes Really Safe?

Controversy Follows Signing of Updated CA Lemon Law

Now They Recommend Longer Passwords, Not Complicated Ones

Got a Kia? Hackers Can Track and Start It

Some Probiotics in Yogurt Did Little for Gut Health

Beware "Picture of Your House" Scams

Apple Lost Millions in Fake iPhone Repair Scam

"Brain Data" Now Protected Under CA Privacy Law

NBC Is Tracking Deals on Products to Spot Best Time to Buy

Should the Fed's Rate Cut Affect Your Retirement Strategy?

Whole Foods Skimps on Popular Cake, Then Backtracks

Truth Social Readers Targeted by Expensive Scams

CA to Ban Common Food Dyes From School Lunches

72% of Shoppers Making Sacrifices to Afford Holiday Purchases

Steps to Take If Your Phone is Lost/Stolen

New Sam's Club Location Testing No Checkouts

Lawmakers Investigating Big Companies That Shrink Products

Medicare Part B Now Fully Covers PrEP for HIV Prevention; No More Part D Copays, Saving $2000+

Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate Now Include Happiness

Insurance Companies Snooping From the Sky Cancel Homeowners' Policies

Beware Fake Google Chrome Browser Update Alerts

Steps to File a Home Insurance Claim After Natural Disasters

Landlords Beware of Tenants Subletting Thru AirBnB

Expect USPS Free COVID Tests to Be Close to Extended Expiration

Amazon Pharmacy Expands Same-Day Delivery

Social Security Cost of Living Increase Only 2.5% for 2025

Early Spike in Flu Cases Expected

Study: Nearly Half Have Experienced Cyberattacks or Digital Scams

Yelp's Reviews Confound and Confuse Shoppers

Internet Archive Hacked; Site Is Down


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Top Stories

Consumer World Original

Mouse Print*-- Verizon's Trade In "Any Phone" Offer for a Free iPhone 16 Pro Questioned

mouse print Verizon's current ad promising a free iPhone 16 Pro when you trade in "any phone in any condition" could not be clearer. The trouble is, it is not true. That story is in Mouse Print* this week.


That Online Pharmacy's Drugs Could Kill You

pills The US Drug Enforcement Administration is warning consumers about buying prescription drugs from rogue dealers advertising on social media and other websites. They may claim to save you money, but the drugs are often misrepresented or can be downright dangerous.


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MoneyTalksNews
Updated daily

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(Re)Evaluate Your Medicare Options as Open Enrollment Starts

Medicare Medicare open enrollment begins Tuesday this week. That means it is time for seniors to decide which health insurance they want for 2025. The choice is between original Medicare coupled with a private supplement plan (aka medigap plan) or an all-in-one medicare advantage plan. And if you take the former, most people will need to buy a separate Part D drug plan. This stuff is not easy. Medicare.gov already has prices for advantage plans and Part D drug plans posted. Your state insurance department should have a handy chart of all supplement plan prices so you don't have to call each. (Those latter plans are standardized so shop by price and company customer service reputation.) Here are some of the issues you may face. MrConsumer generally dislikes advantage plans because many have limited provider networks, high copays and OOP maximums, and the possibility of denying claims. He prefers all-inclusive supplement plans (plan F or G in most states). But that is not best for everyone either. I urge all Medicare enrollees, old and new, to evaluate or re-evaluate the current plans because they keep changing. If necessary, seek independent advice in your state.


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Consumer Alert

Don't Fall for a Hurricane Home Repair Scam

Hurricanes Helene and Milton battered North Carolina and Florida. That means home improvement scammers may be out in force trying to make a quick buck at your expensive. Here are some tips from consumer reporter Steve Sbraccia to help avoid a problem. Here are some additional tips on avoiding storm fraud.



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Bargain of the Week

Join Rakuten, Buy $30 of Goods, Get Back $30

Rakuten, formerly eBates, has deals with hundreds of stores like Macy's, Target, Lowe's, Walmart, Dell, etc. to give you back a percentage of your purchase if you first use their link at Rakuten to begin your shopping. Periodically, they offer double or triple back, and last week, several stores including Dell were offering 15% back. On a computer, that's a great deal! Sign up through this link ONLY and if you spend $30 in your first 90 days of membership (free), you will get a $30 check. ++

See also: Hot Deals

Consumer Reports

Payment Apps Like Zelle and Venmo Not As Safe As You Think

Consumer Reports recently issued a report that suggests that payment apps can be problematic. USA Today explains the problem that they found.

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