Current Events in October 2019

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    GM recalls replacement flip-key ignition transmitter assemblies

    The driver may accidentally move the ignition out of the run position

    General Motors is recalling 10,740 replacement flip-key ignition transmitter assemblies sold as replacement equipment for model year 2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaros.

    The driver may accidentally bump the ignition key with their knee, moving the ignition out of the run position and turning off the engine.

    Once the engine is off, the vehicle can lose power steering and power braking, increasing the risk of a crash. The airbags may not deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    What to do

    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the key with the flat blade design, free of charge.

    The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

    Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N192223230.

    General Motors is recalling 10,740 replacement flip-key ignition transmitter assemblies sold as replacement equipment for model year 2010-2015 Chevrolet Ca...

    Nearly half of consumers are wasting travel rewards by letting their miles and points expire

    There are ways to keep rewards points alive, but it requires jumping through some hoops

    Points and miles for gas, points and miles for eating out, points and miles for groceries... there’s points and miles for nearly everything a consumer spends money on. But a new study finds collecting those points and miles is all for naught because nearly half of consumers inadvertently lose the rewards they piled up simply by letting the points expire.

    Travel loyalty program members aren’t alone when it comes to losing rewards -- the same study found that more than 25 percent of the consumers who collect credit card rewards have also let them expire.

    “A lot of people are sitting on airline, hotel and credit card rewards that are worth a significant amount of money,” said Ted Rossman, Bankrate.com’s credit card analyst. “That’s why it’s so important to take advantage of them before they expire. If you need more time to save up for your desired redemption and your rewards are about to expire, reset the clock by demonstrating new account activity. This can involve a small purchase or redeeming a minimal number of points or miles.”

    Waste not, want not

    Taking a look at the underlying demographic twists in the study, ConsumerAffairs found that it’s millennials who are letting their rewards slip away the most. Here’s how the generations compare:

    Percentage of consumers who let rewards expire

    Millennials

    (23-38)

    Generation X

    (39-54)

    Baby boomers

    (55-73)

    Hotel points

    57 percent

    40 percent

    42 percent

    Airline miles

    50 percent

    46 percent

    46 percent

    Credit card rewards

    44 percent

    26 percent

    19 percent

    Even worse, the number of points and miles that have been gathered seems to be lost on those who earn them. Only a meager 25 percent of participants said they knew how many hotel points they have.

    When it comes to how travel rewards are valued, the clueless meter soars past 50 percent. When asked how much 10,000 rewards points/miles are worth, only 18 percent knew the answer. By the way, the average value per mile is 1.3 cents -- so if you’re flying from New York City to London with 10,000 redeemable points, that’s worth about $39. 

    “American consumers need to do a better job of monitoring their rewards by checking the “dashboards” on their account portals or their written statements,” Bankrate researchers said.

    Keeping points alive

    Some branded travel card partners have picked up on the laxity of consumers in getting all they can out of their rewards. One such case is United Airlines, which recently removed the mileage expiration for their loyalty members. United’s move only improves their perception with consumers. Hopefully, other airlines will see the value in doing the same and follow suit, especially given the billions in ancillary revenue their branded credit cards bring to their bank accounts.

    But if you’re someone who’s putting points and miles on a card that has a use-it-or-lose-it end date, there are still ways to keep those points alive.

    “One easy and free method that works with many programs is to book an award flight or hotel night and then cancel it,” offers Dan at DansDeals. “Be sure that the airline allows for free cancellations on award flights or the hotel allows for free cancellations before doing this. Note that this will extend miles in many, though not in all programs. It has worked for me with British Airways, United, and IHG, among others.”

    Dan offers another simple way a consumer can extend their miles, and that’s by redeeming a few hundred miles for a magazine subscription. 

    “Redeeming miles is safer than the various methods of earning miles, as point earnings don’t always post and it can turn into a fight in case your account expires. But as with everything else in life when you’re paying for something you can be sure that it will always post without any fighting required,” he said.

    Points and miles for gas, points and miles for eating out, points and miles for groceries... there’s points and miles for nearly everything a consumer spen...

    U.S. to impose tariffs on $7.5 billion in European imports

    The announcement comes amid increasing economic uncertainty

    The Trump administration has announced new tariffs on $7.5 billion in imports from the European Union (EU). The White House says the tariffs are related to EU subsidies to aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

    The levies, which will make some imports more expensive, are likely to add to economic uncertainty and increase concerns about the possibility of a global recession next year.

    The U.S. is imposing a 10 percent tariff on EU aircraft imports, which may not have a direct effect on consumers. However, the U.S. is imposing a 25 percent duty on a range of consumer goods that could raise the cost of consumer purchases.

    The U.S. has set October 18 as the date to begin collecting tariffs on whiskey, cheese, olives, wool sweaters, aircraft parts, and other items to be named later. The World Trade Organization (WTO) cleared the way for the tariffs when it ruled that the EU violated trade rules with its support of Airbus. The agency says the U.S. is justified in imposing the tariffs.

    Bad news for whiskey makers

    Forbes reports the tariffs are particularly bad news for Europe’s Scotch whiskey makers since the U.S. is the biggest market for single-malt Scotch whiskey.  European distillers exported more than $1.3 billion in Scotch to the U.S. in 2018, with the single-malt variety accounting for $463 million of that.

    Even the aircraft tariff could eventually impact consumers. Airlines must make aircraft purchase decisions years in advance, and carriers flying the Airbus must prepare for higher capital expenses. Those costs could get passed on to passengers in the form of higher fare and ancillary fees.

    Comes at a bad time

    Analysts say the tariffs on the EU come at a bad time since global markets are still trying to digest the impact of the billions of dollars in tariffs imposed by both the U.S. and China on one another. One analyst says both household income and business revenue will probably decline as a result.

    It may also add to the uncertainty on Wall Street that has sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average 800 points lower in just the last two sessions. Stocks have fallen from their near record highs this week on growing evidence that the economy is slowing.

    The sell-off picked up speed after the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) reported data which suggests the manufacturing sector of the economy is slowing down.

    The Trump administration has announced new tariffs on $7.5 billion in imports from the European Union (EU). The White House says the tariffs are related to...

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      NHTSA investigating accidents connected to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature

      The company says the feature shouldn’t be used in public settings

      The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has acknowledged a rise in reports of accidents from Tesla owners who used the electric automaker’s Smart Summon feature in parking lots. 

      The NHTSA said on Wednesday that it is in “ongoing contact with the company” and that it’s continuing to gather information on the matter. 

      “Safety is NHTSA’s top priority and the agency will not hesitate to act if it finds evidence of a safety-related defect,” the NHTSA told Reuters. “NHTSA encourages drivers to report vehicle issues via NHTSA's online Vehicle Owners Questionnaire system."

      Tesla deployed its Smart Summon feature to some customers last week in the form of a software update. The feature gives users the ability to use their smartphone to summon their vehicle in a parking lot, as long as the car is within 200 feet and in a clear line of sight. 

      However, several users have come forward with accounts of incidents in parking lots when using the feature. In one instance, a Tesla being summoned crashed into a garage wall. In another, a Tesla vehicle was almost hit by another car

      Intended to be used in private settings

      When the software update with Smart Summon was launched, Tesla stressed that it is “only intended for use in private parking lots and driveways." Many of the videos shared on social media depicted incidents where the feature was being used in crowded parking lots. 

      Still, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday that vehicles in Summon mode “will maneuver around or stop for objects and notify you when detected.” 

      Tesla notes that users have the ability to stop the car by disengaging the button on the app. 

      “You are still responsible for your car and  must monitor it and its surroundings at all times and be within your line of sight because it may not detect all obstacles,” the company said in the release notes for the update. “Be especially careful around quick moving people, bicycles and cars.”

      The NHTSA says it’s looking into the recent incidents involving the feature. The agency is also still investigating two fatal crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot feature. 

      The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has acknowledged a rise in reports of accidents from Tesla owners who used the electric automake...

      Lyft launches new driver rewards program

      Drivers can earn points while driving during busy hours, which can be redeemed for cash or credit to take Lyft rides

      On Thursday, Lyft launched a new rewards program for drivers in Nashville, Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Austin, and throughout New Jersey. 

      The program lets drivers earn points for every eligible dollar earned while driving during the busiest hours in their city. Those points can be redeemed for cash bonuses and Lyft rider credits. 

      “Lyft Rewards is a new program that recognizes your drive, dedication, and superior service when it’s busiest out,” Lyft said on its website. “Built from driver feedback, it’s launching in select cities, starting now.”

      Different tiers 

      Drivers with high acceptance rates and a rating of 4.9 or higher can also qualify for gold and platinum levels, which unlock different features (such as the ability to see trip time and direction before accepting a ride). Drivers at these levels will also be able to turn points into cash instead of Lyft credit. 

      In a blog post, the company said the program is intended to help drivers “earn more and save more on everyday driving expenses,” as well as to “reward every driver, including the 91% of drivers who drive fewer than 20 hours a week.

      Lyft noted that busy hours, the number of points drivers receive for every eligible dollar earned, and the number of points needed to qualify for each tier will all vary by market.

      Drivers in the 11 cities specified will see the rewards program in the driver app starting today.

      On Thursday, Lyft launched a new rewards program for drivers in Nashville, Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New Orleans, Ph...

      Consumers are wary of social media’s impact on news

      Over half of respondents to a poll said they’re more likely to see a ‘worse mix of news’ on social media sites

      New data from the Pew Research Center indicates that U.S. consumers are wary of letting social media sites handle news coverage.

      Pew said it conducted a poll of more than 5,000 consumers this past July and found that 62 percent of people believe social media has “too much control” over the selection of news that users see on their platforms. 

      Roughly half of respondents said they believe people may be more likely to see problematic news -- such as bias and sensationalism -- as a result of social media sites dispersing news information. 

      The top three concerns held by consumers regarding the issue were “one-sided news,” “inaccurate news,” and “censorship.” A majority of respondents (55 percent) said the role social media companies play in delivering the news on their sites results in a “worse mix of news.” 

      In terms of political leanings, Republicans were found to be more skeptical about giving social sites control over the flow of news. A majority of Republicans (75 percent) believed social media has too much control, compared to 53 percent of Democrats. 

      Facebook’s news initiative 

      The report comes ahead of Facebook’s launch of a dedicated news tab featuring a selection of news from “high quality, trusted” sources. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the idea to carve out a dedicated space for news was derived from the success of Facebook Watch for video. 

      "One of the things that's really worked over the last year or two is we've launched [Facebook Watch] for video, where people who weren't getting all the video they wanted in News Feed could go to a place that's a dedicated space to get video,” Zuckerberg said. “Because that has started to really grow quickly, we've decided that there really is an opportunity to do something like that with news as well."

      "It's important to me that we help people get trustworthy news and find solutions that help journalists around the world do their important work," Zuckerberg wrote.

      Facebook’s News Tab is rumored to be slated for a fall rollout. Last month, The Information published details from an internal Facebook memo, which provided a few guidelines for how the site will decide which stories are shown. 

      The memo stated that human editors will be responsible for curating a “Top News” tab. Those editors will look at articles’ sourcing when deciding what to feature. Additionally, Facebook will reportedly “seek to promote the media outlet that first reported a particular story, and additionally prioritize stories broken by local news outlets.” 

      New data from the Pew Research Center indicates that U.S. consumers are wary of letting social media sites handle news coverage.Pew said it conducted a...

      Increases in tourism have led to increases in carbon emissions

      Reducing the number of connecting flights can greatly benefit the environment, researchers say

      With the busy summer travel season now in the rearview mirror, researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio have analyzed how increased travel is affecting the environment. 

      The team found that excessive plane travel, particularly when consumers book flights that require a connection to their final destination, is increasing total carbon emissions. 

      “This paper provides one of the first efforts to quantify the carbon emissions associated with tourist air travel in the continental United States,” said researcher Neil Debbage. 

      Choosing non-stop flights

      The researchers analyzed data from the International Civil Aviation Organization to get a better understanding of how consumers’ travel plans were impacting the environment. 

      The study focused on plane routes (both connecting and non-stop flights) to 13 major tourist spots in the U.S. The list included Miami-Dade county and Los Angeles county, as well as 10 of the biggest cities in the northeast, like Boston and New York. 

      Ultimately, the researchers discovered that air travel was a major contributor to an increase in carbon emissions, with connecting flights producing worse environmental outcomes than non-stop flights. 

      The researchers explained that suggested emission limits have been put in place in an effort to keep pollution under control, with 575 carbon dioxide kg/person per year being the magic number. The study revealed that while many direct flights have been successful in staying under that figure, the same success hasn’t been possible with connecting flights. 

      After analyzing all of the flights involved in this study, the researchers found that around half went above suggested limits. The findings emphasize just how widespread this issue is, as most consumers tend not to think past the price tag when booking flights -- especially when fares continue to increase over the summer months. 

      While Debbage suggests that consumers “select nonstop routes whenever possible” as a way to cut down on carbon emissions, it’s crucial that lawmakers do their part to ensure that everything possible is being done to combat rising emissions levels. 

      With the busy summer travel season now in the rearview mirror, researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio have analyzed how increased travel i...

      Children more likely to become adults that lie when they grow up hearing falsehoods

      Even well-intentioned lies can have negative consequences

      Honesty is always the best policy; this old adage is at the heart of a recent study conducted by researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore that explored the effects of parents lying to their kids. 

      The study revealed that people are more likely to become liars when they grow up if parents make a habit out of lying to them when they’re kids.

      “Parenting by lying can seem to save time especially when the real reasons behind why parents want children to do something is complicated to explain,” said researcher Setoh Peipei .”When parents tell children that ‘honesty is the best policy,’ but display dishonesty by lying, such behaviour can send conflicting messages to their children. Parents’ dishonesty may eventually erode trust and promote dishonesty in children.” 

      The effects of lying

      To see how lying affects kids into adulthood, the researchers had nearly 400 young adults complete questionnaires that required them to recall memories from their childhoods and report on how honest they remember their parents being. 

      The researchers found that children who are lied to by their parents grow up to be less honest. Children who reported that their parents frequently lied were quicker to anger and were more likely to engage in riskier behaviors than those who didn’t experience frequent falsehoods during their childhoods. The findings emphasize how far-reaching the effects of lying can be, especially when heard during the formative years. 

      Moreover, the participants who recall being lied to as children were also more likely to deliver their own lies to their parents as adults. The researchers want to continue to do more research in this area to see how the parents’ objectives when lying can affect these outcomes.

      “It is possible that a lie to assert the parents’ power, such as saying ‘If you don’t behave, we will throw you into the ocean to feed the fish,’ may be more related to children’s adjustment difficulties as adults, compared to lies that target children’s compliance, e.g. ‘there is no more candy in the house,’” said Peipei. 

      “Our research suggests that parenting by lying is a practice that has negative consequences for children when they grow up. Parents should be aware of these potential downstream implications and consider alternatives to lying, such as acknowledging children’s feelings, giving information so children know what to expect, offering choices, and problem-solving together, to elicit good behavior.” 

      Honesty is always the best policy; this old adage is at the heart of a recent study conducted by researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singa...

      Two new rewards credit cards launch this week

      One is affiliated with Visa, the other with American Express

      The crowded rewards credit card field got even more crowded this week with two new entries -- one affiliated with Visa and the other with American Express.

      Credit card issuer Credit One Bank is teaming with American Express to offer a new cash back rewards credit card. The Credit One Bank American Express Card provides unlimited 1 percent cash back rewards on every purchase, regardless of the category. It also offers return protection, travel accident insurance, and extended warranty coverages. 

      "The new Credit One Bank American Express Card offers our card members more choice and value while broadening our credit card offerings overall," said Robert DeJong, CEO at Credit One Bank. "And, at the same time, we're offering customers the chance to earn more cash back rewards, on every purchase, wherever they use the card.”

      The new card is Credit One Bank’s first affiliation with American Express.

      Sportsman’s Warehouse Visa

      Sportsman's Warehouse has launched its Explorewards Visa card in partnership with Alliance Data, which operates co-branded and private label credit programs. Cardholders can earn five points for every $1 spent in Sportsman Warehouse stores and on its website. The card awards two points per dollar spent on gasoline, home improvement, and campground purchases and one point on all other purchases.

      The company says cardholders may redeem points with no minimum by using the Sportsman’s Warehouse loyalty account eGift Card process. Cardholders can earn a $50.00 Rewards Card with $500.00 in purchases outside of Sportsman's Warehouse within the first 120 days of opening their account.

      "Now, customers can easily apply for our new credit card via text, online or at a local Sportsman's store, earn points fast and redeem them at any time for gift cards, to use for all of their favorite outdoor gear, apparel, accessories, and more," said Jon Barker, Sportsman's Warehouse CEO.

      Choose a rewards card carefully

      Personal finance advisors generally suggest consumers use a rewards credit card since it provides cash back or other benefits. However, it’s important to choose a card that rewards the kinds of purchases you make the most.

      It’s also important to choose a card that has no annual fee, which could easily wipe out any rewards you might receive. An annual fee might be justified in some cases if your use of the card will generate rewards that far exceed the fee.

      To help determine what credit card might be your best choice, check out ConsumerAffairs’ credit card guide.

      The crowded rewards credit card field got even more crowded this week with two new entries -- one affiliated with Visa and the other with American Express....

      ATM and overdraft fees are moving higher, survey finds

      Banks have raised the average overdraft fee 19 times in the last 21 years

      Research shows that more and more consumers are moving away from cash, and maybe that’s a good thing. Just make sure there’s enough money in your account to cover those debit charges.

      An annual survey from Bankrate shows out of network ATM fees are going up, along with overdraft fees.

      The survey found the average overdraft fee is now $33.36, slightly higher than last year and close to the peak reached in 2017.

      Using another bank’s ATM is getting more expensive as well. Average ATM fees are getting close to $5, another reason for consumers to use their debit cards for nearly all purchases -- just as long as they have a healthy balance in their account.

      For consumers who like to pay with cash, the cost of getting money from an out of network ATM is getting pricey. The survey puts the average ATM surcharge at $3.09, going up for the 15th straight year. The increase is 2 percent higher than in 2018.

      Overdraft fees are rising

      Overdrawing checking accounts is also more expensive than it once was. Banks have raised the average overdraft fee for the 19th time in the past 21 years.

      If you hope to earn a little interest on your checking account, banks now require a larger minimum balance in order to avoid paying fees. Adding insult to injury, the average interest rate on these accounts went down this year.

      While U.S. banks have not adopted the negative interest rates found in several European nations, they appear to be moving in that direction. Fees charged on interest-bearing accounts rose to an average of $15.05 this year, more than twice the amount consumers pay on checking accounts that don’t collect interest.

      Fees for keeping accounts open

      The survey found that several banks charge a fee for consumers to keep their accounts open, especially if their balance falls below the minimum requirement. 

      Quite a few banks charge customers for keeping their accounts open, especially if they fail to meet a minimum balance requirement. Interest-bearing checking accounts now require an average balance of $7,123 -- the largest in nearly 20 years.

      It also takes more money now to open an account. For an account paying interest the average bank requires nearly $575. If the account doesn’t pay interest you can get away with an average of $163.

      Now that more checking accounts are “free,” meaning they have no monthly service fees or balance requirements, Bakrate says you may be better off opting for an account that doesn’t require you to deposit too much money and opening a high-yield savings account or money market account.

      Research shows that more and more consumers are moving away from cash, and maybe that’s a good thing. Just make sure there’s enough money in your account t...

      Whole Foods Market recalls Dorset Cheese

      The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

      Whole Foods Market stores in the Northeast and North Atlantic regions are recalling Dorset cheese in response to a recall from Consider Bardwell Farm.

      The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

      No illnesses have been reported to date.

      The recalled product, cut and wrapped in plastic with a Whole Foods Market scale label, and identifiable by PLU code 97776 with sell-by dates through 10/30/2019, was sold at Whole Foods Market stores in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.

      What to do

      Customers who purchased the recalled product may bring a valid receipt into stores for a full refund.

      Consumers with questions may call (844) 936-8255 between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (CST) Monday through Friday, or 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Saturday through Sunday.

      Whole Foods Market stores in the Northeast and North Atlantic regions are recalling Dorset cheese in response to a recall from Consider Bardwell Farm.T...

      Ford recalls model year 2019 F-Series Super Duty vehicles

      A passenger-side axle shaft could fracture

      Ford Motor Company is recalling about 29,000 model year 2019 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

      The electronically locking rear-axle assembly may have a passenger-side axle shaft manufactured with steel that does not meet Ford’s specifications that may fracture.

      A fractured passenger-side axle shaft could result in a loss of motive power while in two-wheel drive, and the inability to hold the park function. If the parking brake is not applied, this could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of crash or injury.

      What to do

      Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the passenger-side rear axle shaft; shafts with a suspect batch code will be replaced.

      Owners are advised to apply the parking brake whenever the vehicle is parked until the service fix is completed.

      Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's reference number for this recall is 19S31.

      Ford Motor Company is recalling about 29,000 model year 2019 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.The electronically lockin...

      Hotel resort fees finally get Congress’ attention

      Getting through Congress may take awhile, but it’ll be well worth the wait for consumers if it becomes law

      The hotel resort fee epidemic has caught the eye of members of the U.S. Congress, and it’s none too soon.

      Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D - TX) and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R - NE) have teamed up to craft the Hotel Advertising Transparency Act of 2019 (H.R. 4489). If the proposal becomes law, it would outlaw deceptive and unfair advertising of hotel room rates. That would be a huge win for consumers, as it would help them better avoid hidden fees and charges.

      “This summer, we witnessed a record number of Americans take the opportunity to travel. Unfortunately, this also meant a record number of travelers were subjected to deceptive hidden fees charged by hotels, motels, and other places of accommodation,” said Congresswoman Johnson. 

      “It is projected that in 2019, over three billion dollars in revenue alone will be collected from consumers due to these hidden fees. Consumers should be able to enjoy their vacation without being ripped off and financially burdened. This bill would require that the prices advertised by hotels and online travel agencies must include all mandatory fees that will be charged to a consumer, excluding taxes."

      “When travelers search for hotel options, they deserve to see straightforward prices,” added Congressman Fortenberry. “They should not get hit with hidden fees that are designed to confuse consumers and distort the actual price.”

      The findings

      In their proposal, it’s apparent Johnson and Fortenberry did their homework. The duo took a deep dive into the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) powers and pored over a study the FTC did on hotel resort fees.

      Following their analysis, Johnson and Fortenberry shed the following light:

      • “Hotel rooms and other places of lodging are often advertised at a rate and later in the buying process mandatory fees* are disclosed that were not included in the advertised room rate.” *(aka resort fees, cleaning fees, or facility fees)

      • “The number of short-term lodging facilities that charged mandatory resort fees is growing.”

      • “Advertising that does not reflect the true mandatory cost of a stay at a place of short-term lodging is deceptive.”

      Maybe we’re finally getting somewhere

      Johnson and Fortenberry’s initiative follows the efforts of 47 state attorneys general, who launched an investigation into the practice of hotel resort fees and called out the Marriott chain for the shade it puts on its advertised rates. Wyndham also found itself in the crosshairs of a lawsuit in Pennsylvania Federal Court for artfully advertising low rates without being transparent about the additional hotel resort fees. Hilton Worldwide -- and its 15 brand offspring (Embassy Suites, Hampton, DoubleTree, et al) -- also found itself as a defendant in a lawsuit claiming the same impropriety.

      Similar to what other congressional groups have done to get federal agencies back on track, the Hotel Transparency Act is giving the FTC another chance to get this project done. In Johnson’s and Fortenberry’s minds, the agency already has the power to regulate and prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices that affect commerce.

      The FTC first tried to tackle the situation by itself in 2012 by sending warning letters to 35 hotel operators and 11 online travel agents. The agency warned both groups that mandatory resort fees could confuse consumers. Whether no one listened, no one cared, or the FTC decided to try and catch bigger fish is anyone’s guess -- but nearly seven years of what could’ve been proactive effort were lost.

      How long will this take?

      The Hotel Advertising Transparency Act has already been referred to a subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, making it a longshot to get a hearing anytime before 2020. But Skift’s Dennis Schall sees current progress as a hopeful sign.

      “Momentum is building for reform in the way hotel resort fees get displayed online...If the legislation becomes law, its impact would reverberate across online travel.” Schall said.

      “It would level the playing field in metasearch sites such as Kayak, Trivago, and Google Hotels, where some hotels list their total rates because they don’t charge resort fees, and other properties merely list their base rates without the resort fees included. The same is true at online travel agencies sites such as Expedia.com and Priceline.com.”

      The hotel resort fee epidemic has caught the eye of members of the U.S. Congress, and it’s none too soon.Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D - TX) and Rep. J...

      Johnson & Johnson settles Ohio opioid suit for $20.4 million

      But the company continues to deny it misled doctors about the drugs

      Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has reached a $20.4 million settlement with two counties in Ohio that had sued the pharmaceutical company in connection with the opioid addiction crisis. The settlement follows a judge’s ruling in August which ordered J&J to pay $572 million to the state of Oklahoma in a similar lawsuit.

      J&J said it agreed to the Ohio settlement in order to prevent a lengthy trial. The company said the settlement agreement did not suggest J&J was admitting that it played a role in the widespread addiction to painkiller drugs.

      “The settlement allows the company to avoid the resource demands and uncertainty of a trial as it continues to seek meaningful progress in addressing the nation’s opioid crisis,” J&J said in a statement. “The company recognizes the opioid crisis is a complex public health challenge and is working collaboratively to help communities and people in need.”

      Under the terms of the settlement, J&J has also agreed to reimburse $5 million of the counties’ legal and other expenses incurred in preparation for the trial. The company will also direct $5.4 million of its charitable contributions to non-profit organizations in connection with opioid-related programs in these two counties.

      The suit attempted to hold J&J liable for addiction to its painkillers Duragesic, Nucynta, and Nucynta ER. The company said it sold the rights to those drugs in 2008. Prior to that, the company said it had always marketed them in a responsible way.

      Lawsuits against opioid drug manufacturers have focused on how the drugs were marketed, with plaintiffs contending that health care providers were not informed of the drugs’ powerful addiction properties.

      Doctors lack tools to help

      Ketchem Analytics has published a new survey of consumers and physicians which shows an overwhelming number of people from both groups think anti-opioid efforts should focus on helping people stop using the painkillers. Both groups also express the view that doctors need more education and training about opioid use.

      More than half of the consumers polled in the survey think physicians don't know enough about how to help patients stop taking opioids. Nearly a quarter of the doctors expressed a similar view.

      While it is largely drug companies that are being sued in connection with opioid addiction, nearly 75 percent of consumers and about two-thirds of doctors agreed that physicians are at least partly to blame for the opioid crisis.

      Johnson & Johnson (J&J;) has reached a $20.4 million settlement with two counties in Ohio that had sued the pharmaceutical company in connection with the o...

      New study calls into question the timing of when hospital patients receive drugs

      Researchers suggest hospitals prioritize workers’ schedules over times that are better suited to patients

      A new study conducted by researchers from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital explored how hospitals determine the schedules for administering drugs to patients. Researchers found that the driving force behind such timing is not patient need. 

      Instead, the researchers learned that many hospitals tend to give patients drugs on a schedule that best matches up with their employees’ schedules, though this is oftentimes to the detriment of patients.. 

      “For every drug, order times were time-of-day dependent, with morning-time surges and overnight lulls,” the researchers wrote. “These rhythms correspond to shift changes and rounding times.” 

      Prioritizing patient care

      To get a better idea of how hospitals are creating schedules for doling out medications, the researchers analyzed drug orders and administration for over 1,500 patients in a children’s hospital in 24-hour intervals between 2010 and 2017. The study included data on nearly half a million doses of 12 different drugs. 

      Overall, the researchers learned that there was no universal solution here; each patient is unique and responds more positively to different drugs at different times. The finding emphasizes the importance of healthcare professionals checking in with patients to determine what time best suits their needs. 

      The study revealed that the hospital tended to wait until morning to dole out most drugs to patients -- once staffing changes had been made -- and this isn’t always the most effective strategy. 

      While some drugs are better administered during the patient’s waking hours versus right before bed, other patients need quick pain relief in the middle of the night. The researchers say it’s important for hospitals to take these factors into consideration. 

      Listening to what patients need, ensuring that they can avoid painful side effects, and that they are able to rest comfortably throughout the night are essential, and it can be done rather easily in hospitals. 

      “There is great potential here to align what we know about drug timing from the last 60 years of research and implement this knowledge in hospitals,” said researcher Dr. David Smith. “There are immediately actionable steps.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital explored how hospitals determine the schedules for administering drugs to patients...

      Millennials are more likely than older generations to report losing money to fraud

      Online shopping fraud complaints are more common for those in their 20s and 30s

      Compared to their older counterparts, millennials are more likely to report losing money to fraud, according to new research conducted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 

      Through its analysis of consumer complaint data, the agency found that the top five frauds most likely to be reported by those in their 20s and 30s are: 

      • Online shopping frauds

      • Business imposters

      • Government imposters

      • Fake check scams

      • Romance scams

      “People 40+ report those same scams, too, but the data suggests that, with the exception of romance scams, Millennials may be less likely to avoid them or may encounter them more often,” the FTC said. “For example, Millennials are twice as likely as people 40+ to report losing money while shopping online.” 

      Fraud complaints common

      Online shopping fraud reports -- which millennials are twice as likely to make when compared to those in the 40+ age range -- encompassed complaints about items that were never delivered or weren’t as they were advertised. 

      In the last two years alone, millennials reported losing $71 million to online shopping fraud. 

      Millennials were also found to be more likely than older consumers to report fraud losses on scams that promise to get rid of debt-related problems or that promise money through jobs, investments, or business opportunities. 

      Reducing risk of online shopping fraud

      To minimize the risk of falling victim to online shopping fraud, the FTC recommends taking the following precautions when shopping online: 

      • Know who you're dealing with. Because anyone can create an online shop under almost any name, it’s important to confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems. 

      • Know what you're buying. The FTC advises online shoppers to read the seller's description of the product closely. “Words like ‘refurbished,’ ‘vintage,’ or ‘close-out’ may indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition, while name-brand items with bargain basement prices could be counterfeits,” the agency said.

      • Check out the terms of the deal. Make sure the sellers’ refund policy allows for the item to be returned if you’re not satisfied. Additionally, check into who will pay the shipping costs or restocking fees. 

      • Protect financial information. Don’t send financial information via email. If sending financial information through a website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a URL that begins with “https” (the "s" stands for secure). “Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some fraudulent sites have forged security icons,” the FTC notes. 

      Compared to their older counterparts, millennials are more likely to report losing money to fraud, according to new research conducted by the Federal Trade...

      Google integrates ‘Password Checkup’ feature to counter data breaches

      The service checks saved passwords to see if they have been compromised

      In an effort to mitigate consumer stress and frustration over data breaches, Google has rolled out a new Password Checkup feature that automatically checks whether passwords have been compromised.

      The feature can let users know if their saved passwords have been exposed in breaches at other services or if a weak password should be updated. The service was previously available as an extension, but it’s now available for the Google web dashboard and Android devices. Later this year, it will be built into the Chrome browser.

      Tapping the “Check Passwords” feature will prompt Google to check all of a user’s passwords against an internal database containing over four billion user credentials that have been leaked online via third-party data breaches. 

      Checks breached passwords

      When Google launched the feature earlier this year as an add-on for the Google Chrome web browser, it said scores of user password and username combos were found to be vulnerable. 

      "In the first month alone, we scanned 21million usernames and passwords and flagged over 316,000 as unsafe – 1.5% of sign-ins scanned by the extension,” the tech giant said. 

      Google added that all user information it cross-references with breached passwords is encrypted to protect user privacy. 

      “Password Checkup was built with privacy in mind,” Google wrote in its overview of the extension. “It never reports any identifying information about your accounts, passwords, or device. We do report anonymous information about the number of lookups that surface an unsafe credential, whether an alert leads to a password change, and the domain involved for improving site coverage."

      In an effort to mitigate consumer stress and frustration over data breaches, Google has rolled out a new Password Checkup feature that automatically checks...

      Nearly a third of millennials would consider ending a relationship over financial secrets

      However, 27 percent of this generation is hiding a financial issue from their significant other

      Millennials in a romantic relationship would be advised to be totally open and honest about all financial matters. Keeping secrets, a new survey shows, could mean big trouble.

      TD Bank’s 5th annual Love and Money Survey shows 31 percent of millennials would consider breaking off a relationship with a partner who was hiding debt or a bad credit score. The pollsters talked to consumers who are married, in a committed relationship, or divorced.

      Despite the insistence on financial openness, the survey found that 27 percent of millennials are currently keeping a financial secret from their partner, more than any other generation. Nearly half of that 27 percent is hiding credit card debt.

      Older generations are also keeping secrets. Among the silent generation and baby boomers, a financial secret is most likely to involve a bank account the partner doesn’t know about.

      "It's important that couples are honest and open about their money challenges,” said Rachel DeAlto, relationship expert, coach, and television personality. “Oftentimes a partner will hide a credit card bill or low score due to guilt or embarrassment, yet when the debt comes to light it's often not the debt that creates the conflict - it's the secrecy." 

      Financial infidelity

      Keeping money secrets from a significant other is often called “financial infidelity.” A recent survey by CreditCards.com found it happens quite a lot, and many consider it to be just as serious as sexual cheating.

      That survey found that about 19 percent of people in a relationship are hiding some kind of financial account from their partner. 

      Millennials, at least, are talking more about money issues. The survey found communication about finances has increased among millennials more than other generations over the last four years. Today, 94 percent of millennial couples discuss money at least once a week.

      Of course, talking about money is not always productive. Millennials are still more likely than other generations to argue about money.

      Millennials in a romantic relationship would be advised to be totally open and honest about all financial matters. Keeping secrets, a new survey shows, cou...

      College students perform better academically when they get better sleep

      It takes more than just one good night of sleep to see results

      Getting a good night’s sleep has been found to lead to any number of positive benefits for consumers. Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found an added benefit for college students. 

      The researchers found that college students perform better in their classes when they consistently sleep well. 

      “Of course, we already knew that more sleep would be beneficial to classroom performance, from a number of previous studies that relied on subjective measures like self-report surveys,” said researcher Jeffrey Grossman. “But in this study the benefits of sleep are correlated to performance in the context of a real-life college course, and driven by large amounts of objective data collection.” 

      Consistency is key

      Grossman discovered that students in his class who were consistently sleeping the most were the ones who scored the best on every graded assessment, which included three midterms, a final exam, and 11 quizzes. 

      Moreover, students did better academically when they went to bed before 2 AM, as crossing that threshold, regardless of how late the students slept in, poorly affected class performance. 

      The researchers emphasize that there’s no quick fix when it comes to sleep. Students who tried to get a good night’s rest before a big exam but hadn’t slept well in the days leading up to the test didn’t perform better. The finding further emphasizes how important it is for students to make a habit out of sleeping well. 

      This mirrors the findings from a study earlier this year which found that consumers reaped no benefits in trying to make up for missed hours of weeknight sleep on the weekend. 

      “We’ve heard the phrase ‘Get a good night’s sleep, you’ve got a big day tomorrow,’” said Grossman. “It turns out this data does not correlate at all with test performance. Instead, it’s the sleep you get during the days when learning is happening that matter most.” 

      Though the researchers explain that sleep is not solely responsible for how students are doing in school, the study findings illustrate how beneficial it can be to get quality nights of sleep on a regular basis. 

      Getting a good night’s sleep has been found to lead to any number of positive benefits for consumers. Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the Ma...