Current Events in November 2019

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday around the corner, consumers can’t afford to throw caution to the wind with the internet of things being the minefield of scams that it is.

ConsumerAffairs did some homework on what bushes scammers are hiding behind and found some new precautions readers should take before a supposedly good deal bites them in the back on Friday.

Secret Sister gift exchange

Based on the long-running “Secret Santa” office gift exchange, Secret Sister is nothing more than a pyramid scheme tailored for the holidays. This time around, the scam’s new wrinkle is a wine exchange. 

The red flags for this scam include providing personal data, providing the personal information of some friends, and receiving an email or social media invitation requesting that a modest gift or bottle of wine be sent to someone you don’t know. 

More simply put, the Better Business Bureau says that if someone promises a bunch of gifts or cash, stop right there and don’t go an inch further: 

“Keep in mind that pyramid schemes are international. Chain letters involving money or valuable items and promise big returns are illegal. Stop and ask, is it worth breaking the law? Report it instead to the U.S. Postal Inspection Services,” the organization said.

Attachments from retailers

Retailers don’t typically send attachments. They’d rather give you a link that goes directly to their online store. Attachments are the hiding place of choice for malware, and once you click on one, all bets are off.

Too good to be true? 

If a deal has you licking your chops over being able to score the deal of the century, stop right where you are and think. Cybercriminals know that there’s a sucker born every minute, and the holidays are a spawning season. If you see an OMG-worthy deal, pick up the phone and call the company directly to confirm the authenticity of the offer.

The devil’s in the details

Hidden inside coupons and deals might be an exclusion that prevents consumers from getting a discount on, say, a certain brand or products within a specific department. Unfortunately, “store-wide” coupons don’t always mean “store-wide” like one would think. Before you hurry off to the store, read every single caveat on the coupon.Reading the fine print goes beyond just the advertisement, according to the New York State Division of Consumer Protection. 

“When purchasing big-ticket items, consumers should look for and review warranty coverage on the specific item. Consumers should also check stock availability at the store. It’s also important for consumers to review the financing options carefully,” the agency stated.

“As consumers comb retail advertisements, they should take note of the fine print and the quantity of the product available at the advertised price, as well as whether rain checks are available.”

Some gift cards will only give you a headache

Scammers love gift cards -- so much so that cyber thieves made off with nearly $75 million in scams related to these cards in the last three months alone. So, what better time than Black Friday to set a trap for consumers looking even harder for a good deal on a gift card? 

The sad part of the equation is that it’s the consumer’s trust that usually does them in. Little do unsuspecting consumers know that the gift card they buy from a third party might be counterfeit, non-activated, or past the five-year usage window. 

Why are gift card scams so hot? Statista’s Maria Vultaggio says that part of the reason is that it allows scammers to remain anonymous.

“A con artist will usually target a senior or small business, and pretend to be a grandchild, tax collector, or use another alias. They convince the victim to buy them a gift card and then read the number over the phone. Once the transaction is complete, it’s difficult to reverse,” she said.

Whether gift cards are your gift of choice -- or you’re a giftcrastinator and opt for a gift card because you ran out of time to do any real shopping -- do yourself a favor and buy the gift cards at a grocery store or directly from a retailer. At least you’ll have a receipt proving it’s legit and activated properly. 

Make sure the site is secure

Over the past couple of years, the internet powers that be have forced websites to prove they’re secure. The way you can tell if a site is safe and secure is if its web address begins with “https.” If it doesn’t have that “s” on the end, there’s no guarantee that any business you do on the site or any information you share with it is safe.

Desperate people do desperate things 

Scammers are smart enough to realize that consumers can go to desperate lengths to have something no one else has -- especially toys. If you get an email from someone or company you don’t know promising a deal on a hard-to-find gift, it may be a cyber creep on a phishing expedition. Smart consumers will mark those emails as spam and delete them as fast as they come in.

Eye-popping airfares

Whether it’s Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Travel Tuesday, budget airlines have been known to try and conjure up some extra business by dangling wickedly cheap fares in front of consumers. While it doesn’t qualify as a scam, per se, consumers should pay close attention to all the disclaimers and restrictions underneath the come-on of the deal.

“Budget airlines like Norwegian Air, Spirit, or Frontier will advertise insanely cheap fares this month in comparison to 5-star carriers like Lufthansa or Japan Airlines,” Jesse Neugarten, the founder of DollarFlightClub.com, told ConsumerAffairs. “Don't be fooled. Once you add up all the fees to select the seats you want, purchase food, and pay for baggage and other ancillary upgrades, it's not exactly a deal anymore.”

Amazon isn’t even waiting for Black Friday to arrive before offering a peek at its Cyber Monday shopping deals.

The online retail giant plans to mark down prices on a wide range of electronics products, including the Echo Dot for $22 and the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote for $19.99.

It’s knocking $100 off the PS4 PRO and taking up to 45 percent off on HAUS LABORATORIES by Lady Gaga Limited Time kits. Readers can also get up to 80 percent off on best-selling ebooks on Kindle.

One giant shopping spree

The name “Cyber Monday” harkens back to that quaint time about 20 years ago when most consumers had dial-up internet access at home but worked in offices equipped with broadband. It became a tradition to go back to work after the Black Friday weekend when the boss wasn’t looking and buy stuff online.

With a growing percentage of holiday purchases moving to online channels and starting on Thanksgiving Day itself -- or even the day before -- the holiday period and the following Monday have all become one giant shopping spree.

Still, Amazon and its fellow retailers are honoring the tradition by offering Cyber Monday deals. Besides electronic devices, Amazon Brands are being marked down as well. Shoppers will find up to 50 percent discounts on Amazon Essentials, Simple Joys by Carter’s, and Spotted Zebra.

There will also be discounts on bedding & bath products; furniture from Rivet and Stone & Beam; luggage & travel from AmazonBasics; and kitchen electrics & housewares from AmazonBasics and Stone & Beam.

Deals on apparel include:

• Up to 40 percent off on jeans from AG, Hudson, and more;

• Up to 35 percent off on Lacoste clothing, shoes, accessories, and home;

• Up to 40 percent off on Champion, Puma and more;

• Up to 40 percent off on New Balance shoes and apparel;

• Up to 35 percent off on Reebok footwear and apparel;

• Up to 45 percent off on Luggage sets from Columbia, Tommy Bahama, and Delsey;

• Up to 40 percent off on Accessories from Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s and more; and

• Up to 56 off on select Ross-Simons jewelry.

Getting an early start

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that half of holiday shoppers had already started making purchases by the end of last week, further proof that specific shopping days are all merging with one another.

“Thanksgiving is still a hallmark of the season, and there’s billions of dollars in shopping still to come,” said NRF CEO Matthew Shay. “But many consumers have already been shopping for weeks, and retailers are increasingly adapting to that.”

Nearly 50 percent of consumers forget a key ingredient while cooking their holiday meal, according to a survey recently conducted by Postmates. 

Of 1,000 people polled, 10 percent admitted that they always forget something important on a holiday like Thanksgiving. By demographic, 55-64 year olds were the most likely to forget something important at the grocery store; 62 percent of “home cooks” in this age bracket admitted to doing so. 

But instead of going back to the store, a growing number of consumers are choosing to have food and forgotten holiday meal ingredients delivered to their doorstep. 

“This year, convenience culture is taking a front seat as desserts, appetizers and—you guessed it—the main course are the three most likely items to be ordered for delivery,” Postmates said of its survey results. “Other honorary mentions chosen by consumers include alcohol, side dishes and the entire holiday meal.” 

Use of food delivery services on the rise

These days, consumers have a number of options when it comes to having food delivered. Amazon’s food delivery service, Amazon Fresh, recently became free for Prime members in certain markets. The service previously cost $15 per month. 

Earlier this year, Walmart announced that it would be launching an in-home grocery delivery service that would let customers have fresh products placed directly in their refrigerator by a Walmart employee. The retailer’s “InHome” service has initially been rolled out to consumers in in Kansas City, Missouri; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Vero Beach, Florida.

Full meals can even be ordered through services like Fresh Direct, which has announced that it’s offering “heat and eat Thanksgiving feasts” delivered right to a consumer’s door. Prices start at $99 for a Thanksgiving meal that feeds 2-4. 

With more retailers beginning to expand their food delivery options, existing services have started slashing prices in an effort to stay competitive. In 2018, Instacart announced that it would be reducing the annual fee for Instacart Express from $149 to $99. Target also recently reduced its per-order fee for its Shipt service. 

“As consumers look for ways to increase their productivity and decrease their stress, apps and other online services are swiftly becoming a crucial component to their everyday lives,” Postmates says. 

The New York City Council has voted 42-2 to ban all non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes. Mayor Bill de Blasio is set to sign the bill or allow its passage into law, according to his deputy press secretary. 

The bill was introduced in an effort to combat a surge in teen vaping. Federal health officials and regulators have expressed concern about the rise in teen vaping and have attributed it to the growing popularity of these products and the availability of fruity and minty flavors. 

“This bill would ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes and flavored e-liquids in New York City, including mint, menthol and wintergreen electronic cigarettes and e-liquids,” the ordinance states. 

Flavored products popular among teens

Studies have found that teenagers tend to prefer fruit, mint, and candy-flavored e-cigarette products. A National Institutes of Health-funded study published earlier this month found that less than two percent of teenagers who vape said their favorite flavor was tobacco. 

"New York City is finally addressing a public health crisis which has been mounting for years while state and local governments across the nation did next to nothing. We are finally taking action to address the resurgence of youth nicotine addiction caused by e-cigarette usage," Mark Levine, who introduced the legislation and is chair of the council's health committee, said in a statement to CNBC. 

"With this vote, the City Council is moving to ban the fruity, minty, candy-like flavors of e-cigarettes which were clearly designed to appeal to young people in the first place.”

Health concerns

The move to combat the rise in teen vaping comes amid growing concern about the health effects of the products. In recent months, a lung illness associated with vaping claimed 42 lives and sickened at least 2,100 people. 

The Trump administration is currently mulling whether or not to ban flavored vape pods or raise the minimum e-cigarette age to “21 or so” to reduce teen vaping numbers.

Attorneys general in New York, California, and Washington, D.C. have filed lawsuits claiming e-cigarette maker Juul used deceptive and illegal marketing practices to target young users. 

Juul has maintained that it’s committed to minimizing its appeal to youth users and “earning the trust of society by working cooperatively with attorneys general, regulators, public health officials, and other stakeholders to combat underage use and convert adult smokers from combustible cigarettes.” 

The company recently stopped sales of fruit and mint-flavored vape products and suspended all broadcast, print, and digital product advertising in the U.S.

Nearly a year and a half after filing for bankruptcy and closing its stores, Toys “R” Us has reopened its first new store inside Westfield Garden State Plaza mall in Paramus, New Jersey. Another new Toys “R” Us store is set to open December 7 at the The Galleria mall in Houston, Texas.

Richard Barry, CEO of Toys “R” Us’ parent company Tru Kids, hinted earlier this year that new store locations would be smaller and designed to create a "highly engaging retail experience designed for kids, families, and to better fit within today's retail environment."

The new store, which opened Wednesday, includes a 3D virtual Geoffrey the Giraffe inside a “magical mirror” that shoppers can play with. The store has been segmented into shops from big-name brands, including Hasbro, Nintendo, Little Tikes maker MGA Entertainment, and Lego. Consumers can interact with toys in each of the shops. 

“Toys R Us is built into the fabric of childhood and for more than 70 years has been the most trusted source for toys and play,” Barry said in a statement. “With the return of Toys R Us stores in the U.S., we are bringing a highly engaging, experience-driven retail destination that celebrates play and deepens the connection between the world’s best toy, play and entertainment brands and customers.

Toys “R” Us announced recently that it partnered with Target for the reboot of its website. The retailer said it chose to team up with Target because of its strong supply chain and clear “understanding of the [toy] category.” Under the partnership, online shoppers will be redirected to Target’s website to complete their purchase after clicking “Buy.” 

Toys “R” Us announced in 2017 that it would be closing all of its stores as a result of financial struggles. Barry has described the retailer’s plans for a reimagined Toys “R” Us as an “incredible opportunity.” 

Anxiety levels in young people have been a hot topic for researchers, as mental health diagnoses among the younger generation have been on the rise. Now, researchers have discovered another possible risk factor. 

According to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Montreal, teens who spend more time in front of screens -- whether it be TVs, smartphones, or laptops -- could be at a higher risk for anxiety symptoms. 

“These findings suggest that one way to help teens manage anxiety could be to help them limit the amount of time they spend in front of screens,” said researcher Dr. Patricia Conrod. 

Monitoring screen-time levels

To understand the association between anxiety and screen time, the researchers had the study participants report on their symptoms that could be related to anxiety, as well as how much time they spent in front of screens per day. 

The researchers narrowed down their study to four different types of online engagement to best understand what could contribute to the participants’ anxiety levels: TV, computer, video games, and social media. 

The study revealed that teens who spend more time in front of screens were more likely to also experience more anxiety-related symptoms, but only over the long-term. While daily differences in screen time didn’t amount to much change in anxiety symptoms, the study revealed that yearly fluctuations could impact anxiety levels, raising and lowering depending on how much time was spent in front of screens. 

Despite video games growing in popularity, time spent gaming was the one source of screen time that didn’t contribute to teens’ anxiety symptoms. 

With screen time guidelines under scrutiny from health experts, especially for young people, these findings are important because they could help parents be more mindful of how they set limits for screen time.

While recent studies have found that incorporating more blueberries or nuts into the diet can help boost older consumers’ cognitive skills, a new study found that one leisure activity could yield the same results. 

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that older consumers who play board games or card games could be strengthening thinking and cognitive skills that are important in later life. 

“Even though some people’s thinking skills can decline as we get older, this research is further evidence that it doesn’t have to be inevitable,” said researcher Caroline Abrahams. “The connection between playing board games and other non-digital games later in life and sharper thinking and memory skills adds to what we know about steps we can take to protect our cognitive health, including not drinking excess alcohol, being active and eating a healthy diet.” 

The benefit of playing games

To understand the effect that games could have on older consumers’ thinking skills, the researchers tested the cognitive function of 1,000 participants over the course of a decade. 

While the participants reported on how often they played games on their own time, the researchers had them complete comprehensive tests every three years to assess their thinking ability, memory, and problem solving. 

The participants who were regularly playing games were found to be more mentally sharp than their peers who weren’t as active in this way. Overall, these results were most positive for those who stuck to non-electronic games, like card games, crossword puzzles, or board games; that finding stands in opposition to a recent study that touted online games as an equally beneficial way for seniors to strengthen their cognitive abilities.

“These latest findings add to evidence that being more engaged in activities during the life course might be associated with better thinking skills in later life,” said researcher Dr. Drew Altschul. “For those in their 70s or beyond, another message seems to be that playing non-digital games may be a positive behaviour in terms of reducing cognitive decline.” 

If you’re leaving today for a Thanksgiving holiday trip, today is likely to offer the worst traffic you’ll face, if history is any guide.

Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) analyzed millions of car trips over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday period and found that Wednesday was the day with the worst traffic. This year, as many as 50 million Americans will be on the nation’s highways over the next five days.

That said, the most dangerous day on the road may be Thanksgiving day itself. CMT researchers say there’s a lot of speeding and distracted driving, perhaps by motorists trying to get to grandma’s house in time for the festivities.

Distracted driving seems to be the worst in Memphis, New Orleans, Nashville, Arlington, Texas, and Kansas City. The police hand out the most speeding tickets in Boston, Washington, DC, Las Vegas, Baltimore, and Atlanta.

Stable gas prices

The good news for holiday motorists is stable gasoline prices. The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the average price of regular gas is $2.58 a gallon, a penny less than last week at this time.

Gasoline prices have been on a slow decline over the last few weeks, but prices have been going down much more slowly than they did last year. The price of regular gas is about five cents a gallon more than it was at this time last year.

“During Thanksgiving week last year we saw the national gas price average decrease a nickel between Monday and Thursday, that could be the case again this year,” said AAA spokesperson Jeanette Casselano. “AAA recommends holiday road-trippers use the AAA app to find current gas prices along their route.”

As of this week, 61 percent of all gas stations in the country are selling regular unleaded for $2.50 or less. 

The states with the most expensive regular gas

These states currently have the highest prices for regular gas, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Survey:

• California ($3.85)

• Hawaii ($3.66)

• Washington ($3.33) 

• Nevada ($3.30)

• Oregon ($3.20) 

• Alaska ($3.15)

• Idaho ($2.96) 

• Arizona ($2.92)

• Utah ($2.94)

• Pennsylvania ($2.79)

The states with the cheapest regular gas

The survey found these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:

• Louisiana ($2.22)

• Mississippi ($2.22)

• Missouri ($2.25)

• Texas ($2.25)

• Alabama ($2.25)

• South Carolina ($2.29)

• Oklahoma ($2.29)

• Tennessee ($2.30)

• Arkansas ($2.30)

• Virginia ($2.31)

The sluggish housing market is about to pick up speed again, according to real estate brokerage firm Redfin.

Sales slowed in the first half of 2019 as rising mortgage rates, along with rising home prices, kept many would-be buyers on the sidelines. Redfin researchers predict that dynamic will shift early in 2020.

"Low mortgage rates started to revitalize the market at the end of this summer, but we won't see their full impact on demand for housing until next year," said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather, who authored the report. "In 2020, buyers will have fewer homes to choose from than they have had in five years.”

Low inventory levels and more buyers entering the market will probably bring a return of bidding wars, especially in sought-after markets and neighborhoods. Fairweather says that’s good news if you plan to sell your home, but it will make it a little harder to buy a home, at least in the short term. But things could change quickly.

“The competition and faster price growth will tempt more homeowners and builders to list homes, which will help improve the balance between supply and demand by the end of the year," Fairweather said.

Interest rates are the key

The key to next year’s housing market is interest rates. Redfin expects the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to stabilize at around 3.8 percent. If economic growth remains sluggish, the Federal Reserve will be expected to keep interest rates low.

Stable mortgage rates under 4 percent will coax more consumers to consider purchasing a home. And with inventory levels near all-time lows, that’s bound to lead to bidding wars, which were common in the housing market in 2017 and 2018. Redfin says that could happen in the first quarter.

That means prices are going to go up. The increase in competition should push year-over-year price growth up to 6 percent in the first half of the year, considerably stronger than the 2 percent growth seen in the first half of 2019. 

Redfin says the market should even out later in the year as supply and demand become more balanced and higher prices encourage more sellers to put their homes on the market.

General Motors is recalling 556,399 model year 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s & GMC Sierra 1500s, and model year 2020 Silverado 2500s, Silverado 3500s, Sierra 2500s and Sierra 3500s with carpet floor covering.

When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.

A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

What to do

GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket free of charge.

The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at (800) 222-1020or GMC customer service at (888) 988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192270600.

Central Valley Meat Co., of Hanford, Calif., is recalling approximately 34,222 pounds of ground beef.

The product may be contaminated with Salmonella Dublin.

Ten case-patients have been identified in six states with illness onset dates ranging from August 8 – September 22, 2019.

The following items, produced on July 23, 2019, are being recalled:

• 1-lb. chub packages of “STATER BROS. 100% PURE GROUND BEEF 96% LEAN 4% FAT” with lot 2049 on the retail label; lot 19204 on the case label; and Use By 08-14-19.
• 2-lb. chub packages of “STATER BROS. 100% PURE GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN 7% FAT” with lot 2049 on the retail label; lot 19204 on the case label; and Use By 08-14-19.
• 20-lb. cases containing “STATER BROS 93/7 Ground Beef 10# Chub 10 Lb. Chubs/ 2 Count” with lot 19204 on the case label and Use By 08-14-19.

The recalled product, bearing establishment number “EST. 6063A” printed on the retail labels next to the lot number and inside the USDA mark of inspection on the case labels, was shipped to retail locations in California.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled product should not consume it, but discard or return it to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions may contact Josh Bornemann at inquiry@centralvalleymeat.com.

If you do any sort of online shopping, you’re probably like most consumers and read at least a couple of the product reviews to see if there’s anything that sets off warning bells.

Big box online stores like Amazon have ways of verifying that the reviewer actually bought the item on their platform, which helps the shopping platform maintain a certain level of integrity. However, brick-and-mortar stores don’t always impose those rules of the road on themselves and, unfortunately, there’s the occasional review that’s completely fake.

Using Fakespot’s online analysis tools, BestSEOCompanies recently ran an analysis to see if it could spot the differences between fake and real reviews. What it found was astonishing.

More fake reviews than you may realize

Of the 2.7 million reviews analyzed, 39 percent were found to be “unreliable.”

At the top of the glacier of fakes was the electronics category, in which 42 percent of the reviews analyzed proved to be phony.

Right behind electronics at 46.2 percent was apparel. “Arguably, apparel may be the most difficult category to review online, as it’s impossible to know how clothes will work for other shoppers,” noted BestSEO’s Jason Bayless. 

“Something that worked well for one body may not necessarily work well for others. That said, a fake review – one claiming to love a pair of pants that were never actually purchased – wouldn’t help anybody, regardless of shape or size.”

Spotting the fakes

The economics are such that good reviews leverage better sales. So much, in fact, that the study found 70 percent of the consumers surveyed said they would pay more for products or services with higher ratings. And the reason electronics rank so high in the fake review column is that a) there’s more money to be made off a computer or TV than a water bottle or pair of house shoes; and b) customers tend to pay closer attention to reviews on higher-ticket items.

One of the more interesting things that came out of the study is how much credence consumers give restaurant reviews.

“Restaurants have a different type of cost beyond money – time,” Bayless said. “Perhaps customers want to spare themselves from a poor dining experience if possible. Moreover, restaurant reviews may help patrons know what to order or even learn the best times to visit. All of this is possible when reading a few customer reviews.”

The go-to place for reviews is starting to shift

With social media playing such a big role in the daily lives of consumers, communication between consumer and retailer is starting to increase on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

“Customer service through social media is a new and interesting phenomenon that can provide enormous opportunities and risks for businesses,” Bayless said. “For example, failing to respond to a customer service request online can result in a digital review or complaint, yet resolving an issue online can often help a customer in the most convenient way possible.”

If you, as a consumer, decide to take the social media route to air out your concerns, as the old saying goes, you’ll catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar.

Bonnie Shaw, president of public relations firm the ClearPoint agency, offers these tips:

• “Use the sandwich technique when you state your complaint” is Shaw’s #1 modus operandi. “Say something positive about the brand in general or thank them for responding to you quickly, concisely state your experience or complaint, provide a possible solution, and then tell them you appreciate the opportunity to outline your complaint.”

• “Give the company the benefit of the doubt.” Shaw says that companies, by and large, want to make customers happy and do the right thing to make that happen. “Give them a chance to make things right,” she says. “If they can’t refund all your money or provide a full replacement, ask if there are any other discounts or ways they might be able to help. Again, they want to make customers happy, but they have limits, too.”

• If you’re not getting anywhere with the person you’re communicating with, ask for a manager. Representatives don’t cotton to having to get a manager since it might have a negative impact on how they’re perceived to be doing their job. While it’s an approach that might have some success, Shaw says there’s no guarantee. 

• “Be reasonable,” Shaw suggests. “If you owned your product for many years and it’s been out of warranty for a time, you most likely will not get your money back, no matter how much you complain...what a lot of companies might do with a reasonable customer is offer some parts to fix the problem, provide a discount on a future purchase, send a free sample, or provide a credit or free service for next time.”

• Shout it from the mountains if you get the results you were looking for. Posting a good “thank you” can go a long way. “If a brand has treated you right after a negative comment or complaint, do thank them via social media,” offered Shaw. “We get all kinds of positive comments after we address a complaint – ‘Customer service is not dead.’ ‘I love X brand – they are there to help when I need it.’ ‘Spoke with so and so and they were terrific. Thank you!’ Comments like these reinforce the brand’s decision to resolve customer complaints and address comments publicly via social media.”

Cannabidiol, or CBD -- a component of cannabis that does not contain intoxicating properties -- has the potential to harm users, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned Monday in an updated consumer advisory. 

CBD was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, and its use has skyrocketed in recent years. The compound is believed to have some health benefits, including the ability to treat pain, inflammation, and anxiety. 

However, the FDA now says it doesn’t have enough scientific evidence to conclude that CBD is “generally recognized as safe among qualified experts for use in human and animal food.” The agency said the compound can potentially: 

• Cause liver injury;

• Affect the metabolism of other drugs, causing serious side effects; and/or

• Increase the risk of sedation and drowsiness when used with alcohol or other Central Nervous System depressants. 

Possible health risks

In its advisory, the FDA said consumers may not be aware of certain side effects they may experience as a result of CBD use. The compound may cause changes in alertness, drowsiness, gastrointestinal distress, or changes in mood, the agency said.

“The FDA is concerned that people may mistakenly believe that trying CBD ‘can’t hurt,’” the FDA said, adding that it “wants to be clear that we have seen only limited data about CBD’s safety and these data point to real risks that need to be considered.” 

The agency noted that it’s still looking into the long-term effects of CBD use, trying to figure out what effect it has on a developing fetus or breastfed newborn, and looking into how it interacts with herbs and botanicals, among other things. 

Companies warned against illegal sales

In a separate advisory published the same day, the FDA disclosed that it recently contacted 15 companies that were selling products containing CBD in ways that violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

“Aside from one prescription drug approved to treat two pediatric epilepsy disorders, these products have not been approved by the FDA and we want to be clear that a number of questions remain regarding CBD’s safety – including reports of products containing contaminants, such as pesticides and heavy metals – and there are real risks that need to be considered,” the FDA said. 

The agency has said it’s aware of growing public interest in the compound. As part of its effort to ensure that it is safe for consumer use, the FDA is working with those in the industry to “fill in the knowledge gaps about the science, safety and quality of many of these products.”

McDonald’s has agreed to pay $26 million to resolve claims that it failed to appropriately pay thousands of its workers in California. 

The class action lawsuit originated in early 2013 when McDonald’s worker Maria Sanchez accused the fast food giant of wage theft dating back as far as 2009. The suit was filed on behalf of roughly 38,000 people employed at stores owned and operated by McDonald's. 

McDonald’s was accused of violating California overtime payment laws by structuring its books in a way that denied workers overtime pay. The suit also maintained that McDonald’s refused to give employees timely meal or rest breaks during their shifts and that it forced workers to spend their own money to have their uniforms cleaned and ironed. 

"McDonald's cheated us out of tens of millions, but by standing up and speaking out, we're holding the world's second largest employer accountable for breaking the law," Los Angeles McDonald’s worker Rosario Mercado said in a news release.

Company denies wrongdoing

McDonald’s issued a statement saying it was choosing to settle the claims despite its belief that it never violated California’s labor law. 

"While we continue to believe our employment practices comply with the California Labor Code, we have decided to resolve this lawsuit," McDonald's said, adding that it remains “committed to the fair treatment of all of our employees.” 

The company noted that it “continuously” rolls out additional trainings and resources across company-owned restaurants to “promote continued compliance with all wage and hour laws." 

As part of the settlement, McDonald’s also committed to providing periodic training for managers and workers, informing them of rules and options regarding meal and rest breaks, and providing uniforms at no cost in the event that workers’ uniforms become damaged or worn. 

Scammers are constantly adapting and have developed new strategies to take advantage of consumers this holiday season.

A new study by First Orion identifies "enterprise spoofing" as one of the major trends. That scheme involves the use of stolen data, obtained from the countless data breaches, to impersonate trusted businesses or charities. 

You’ve probably seen an example in your email inbox. More likely, one of these scammers has called you on the phone. But instead of a robocaller trying to sell you worthless health insurance, enterprise spoofing scams are likely to be much more personal, which makes them dangerous. First Orion found that more than 15 percent of consumers it surveyed received a personalized scam call. 

‘Onslaught of data breaches’

When the field was narrowed down to just those consumers who lost money to a scammer, three-quarters said the criminal knew some personal information about them when they made the call. 

"The onslaught of data breaches armed scammers with enough stolen information to fabricate intricate and personalized scam calls," said Scott Hambuchen, chief information officer at First Orion. "With stolen personal data leaked in mass, consumers are being targeted by much more sophisticated and effective personalized scam calls.” 

Not only do the scammers mine data breaches for personal tidbits about individual consumers, but they then spoof a business or organization’s Caller ID to trick consumers into thinking the call is legitimate. 

But then, legitimate calls are becoming a rare thing. More than half the consumers in the survey said that they receive more spam calls than real calls on any given day.

The personal information about intended victims comes from the data breaches that have almost become a weekly occurrence. As we reported last week, this incomplete information is also being harnessed by scammers to create “synthetic identifies” that allow them to carry out fraud.

Impersonating charitable organizations

At this time of year, enterprise spoofers are stepping up their efforts to impersonate charitable organizations. These schemes are very effective, especially when the scammer might have some personal information about the potential victim.

In the study, 24 percent of the consumers who received a call from a phony charity fell for it, with scammers often using the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and UNICEF as cover for their schemes.

Consumers who want to give to one of these charities should go directly to the organizations’ websites and not click on email links or respond to telephone solicitations.

People tend to purchase homes in the spring, which is why it’s called the “spring home-buying season.” They don’t call it the winter home-buying season.

But maybe they should. A new data analysis from ATTOM Data Solutions suggests that winter is the best time to purchase a home if you want to secure the best deal possible -- and it makes sense. In the spring, buyers have the most competition for homes and might even encounter a bidding war, which could encourage sellers to hold out for their listing price. With less competition in winter months, buyers have a little more leverage.

When ATTOM Data Solutions looked at home closings all year round, they found only three days in which buyers got homes priced below the estimated market value. All three days were in December.

The day after Christmas is ideal

The analysis shows buyers who closed the day after Christmas got the biggest discount from the full market value. Researchers reached that conclusion after looking at more than 23 million home sales over the last six years.

"Closing on a home purchase the day after Christmas or on New Year's Eve can be one of the most financially beneficial holiday-season gifts you can get," said Todd Teta, chief product officer with ATTOM Data Solutions. "While lots of folks are shopping the day-after Christmas sales or getting ready to ring in the New Year, our data shows that buyers and investors are buying homes on those days at a discount.”

Granted, the discount isn’t huge. On December 26, buyers save about $500 on the purchase of a median-priced home. But when you’re buying a house, every little bit helps. On the other hand, buyers who wait until June to close on a house will end up paying a 7 percent premium, Teta says.

Home experts at Nationwide Insurance agree that winter is one of the best times to buy a home, but they say autumn is also a good time. The approach of the holidays, they say, distracts potential buyers so that there is less competition.

In the end, that reduced competition may be the biggest benefit from fall and winter home-shopping. It increases the likelihood that you’ll get the home you want without another buyer swooping in at the last minute and offering a higher price.

Concussions can be long, serious injuries for young athletes, and now a new study has found another risk factor associated with these all-too-common head injuries. 

Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that student athletes who sustain concussions could be at an increased risk of suicide. 

“It’s important to remember that when it comes to concussions, there’s no visual test to confirm them,” said researcher Dale Mantey. “Unfortunately, you can’t take your child to a lab test done to diagnose one.” 

Being cautious with head injuries

To assess how concussions can affect young athletes’ mental health, the researchers surveyed over 13,000 high school students who self-reported on their experience playing sports and their history with concussions. 

These head injuries affected 15 percent of the students involved in the study, and the researchers found that participants were more likely to report feelings consistent with those who have attempted or completed suicide. 

As more and more young people are professionally treated for mental health concerns, it’s important for parents, medical professionals, and other teens to understand the risk factors at play. 

Although female athletes suffer from concussions more frequently than their male counterparts, the researchers found that all student athletes with a concussion history were more likely to report suicidal thoughts, feelings, or attempts than students with no previous concussions. Male students were three times as likely and female students were twice as likely to report seeking out treatment following a suicide attempt compared to non-athletes. 

While previous studies have linked increased teen suicide attempts to states with higher gun ownership and experiences with bullying, sports-related concussions are common, and these findings shed light on an important issue that could affect countless teens across the country. 

“Everyone needs to be aware of the warning signs and the risks that come with concussions -- parents, teachers, coaches, but also the students themselves,” said Mantey. “If there is any concern that a child may have suffered a concussion, it is critical to seek medical attention. If a child is diagnosed with a concussion, everyone in their support network should look for changes in mood or behavior that may be warning signs of reduced mental well-being.” 

Air pollution has recently been linked to any number of health concerns, including both lung disease and breathing problems. Now, a new study found that it could also affect consumers’ eyesight. 

Researchers from University College London found that consumers who live in areas with heavier air pollution could be at an increased risk of glaucoma. 

“We have found yet another reason why air pollution should be addressed as a public health priority, and that avoiding sources of air pollution could be worthwhile for eye health alongside other health concerns,” said researcher Paul Foster. “While we cannot confirm yet that the association is causal, we hope to continue our research to determine whether air pollution does indeed cause glaucoma, and to find out if there are any avoidance strategies that could help people reduce their exposure to air pollution to mitigate the health risks.” 

Risks to eye health

To understand how air pollution could be affecting consumers’ eye health, the researchers had over 111,000 participants receive regular eye exams over the course of four years. The researchers compared the results from these eye exams with recorded measures of air pollution based on participants’ addresses to determine how the air they were exposed to most often was affecting their eye health. 

As researchers continue to find ways that pollutants are affecting consumers’ lifespans, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that a connection has been made to worsening eye health. 

Participants who were regularly exposed to the highest levels of air pollution were, at a minimum, six percent more likely to have glaucoma. Moreover, the researchers found that participants’ eye exams revealed that they had the early markings of glaucoma even if they had not yet been diagnosed with the condition.

These findings were positive for the researchers, as doctors now have another factor to consider when evaluating patients who could be at risk of the condition. 

“Most risk factors for glaucoma are out of our control, such as older age or genetics,” said Foster. “It’s promising that we may now have identified a second risk factor for glaucoma, after eye pressure, that can be modified by lifestyle, treatment, or policy changes.”