Current Events in November 2022

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    Hackers are targeting hospital networks. Is your patient data at risk?

    Experts say most hospital defenses against hackers are inadequate

    Common Spirit Health is one of the latest major hospital groups to grapple with cybersecurity issues that not only affect operations but could compromise patient privacy.

    In October the hospital system reported it was the victim of a ransomware attack, interrupting operations at the Chicago-based system that operates 140 hospitals and more than 1,500 care sites in 21 states.

    The cybersecurity experts we consulted said attacks on hospitals are likely to increase, posing risks to patient privacy.

    Matt Mullins, senior security researcher at Cybrary, a cybersecurity training firm, says hospital networks are significantly more vulnerable than standard networks for the simple reason that healthcare has a unique focus compared to other industries. That’s because the data has to always be readily accessible for practitioners.

    Not only is it easier for hackers to access that data, Mullins says the data is highly prized information.

    “It can be used for blackmail or phishing, and it can be used for fraud,” Mullins told ConsumerAffairs. “This data is more useful in that it is easier to access and it allows for identity theft. Identity theft is much harder to ‘shut down’ than it is to roll a new credit card number or account!”

    Valuable data

    In a cyber attack, Frank Ricotta, CEO & founder at BurstIQ, a health data management company, says hackers go for patients’ personally identifiable information (PII) and personal health information (PHI) because it’s considered more valuable.

    “The value of health data sold on the dark web can get upwards of 500 times more than other personal information such as Social Security numbers or credit cards,” Ricotta told us. “This data can be used to file false medical claims, get prescriptions and medical treatment, and more. And unlike a credit card breach that can be identified and resolved quickly, PII and PHI can be used long after a breach has been detected and used repeatedly.”

    Irina Tsukerman, president of  Scarab Rising, Inc., a media and security strategic advisory group, says networks aren’t the only area of hospital technology vulnerable to hackers. That vulnerability poses the risk of more than just compromised data.

    “A recent study found that half of internet-connected devices in hospitals are vulnerable to exploitation, with IV pumps - a direct risk to patients - being a particular vulnerability,” Tsukerman said. “The Cynerio report analyzed data from over 10 million devices at over 300 hospitals and health care facilities globally, which the company collected through connectors attached to the devices as part of its security platform. This makes hospital one of the most desirable targets for hackers.”

    Hospitals spend less on security

    Sanjay Raja, vice president of Product Marketing and Solutions at Gurucul, a security analytics firm, says economic factors also play a role. He says hospitals continue to bear the financial burden of treating COVID-19 patients which reduces other, more profitable services.

    “This has led to a shortfall in revenues from other services causing constrained budgets, a lack of resources, and overburdened security teams,” Raja said. “Threat actors have purposefully targeted healthcare providers knowing how overwhelmed IT and security staff already are and how catastrophic ransomware or other disruption can be in the treatment of patients.”

    Is there anything hospitals can do to better protect their networks from attack? Raja says perimeter defenses and patches have proved “fairly useless” against a hacker determined to get inside. 

    He recommends an accurate and more automated threat detection, investigation, and response solution that provides earlier and more accurate threat detection. 

    Mullins says he believes that, up until now, hospitals haven’t approached cybersecurity with enough “seriousness.”

    Tsukerman says hospitals need to train all personnel in "best industry" practices in cybersecurity and enforce and reevaluate recommended security protocols, which should include physical maintenance and strengthening of networks.

    Common Spirit Health is one of the latest major hospital groups to grapple with cybersecurity issues that not only affect operations but could compromise p...

    Rakuten to offer more cash back to prepare for the holiday season

    The company will host an in-person cash back shopping event for the first time

    Rakuten, the online platform that provides online shoppers with cashback and discount codes, will now offer exclusive opportunities for customers this holiday season

    From November 12-13, Rakuten will host its first-ever in-person pop-up shop in New York City. To complement that event, and extend the cash back opportunities to shoppers across the country, customers can shop the Holiday Edit to earn 10% cash back on holiday gifts

    “Consumers have weathered a lot these last couple of holiday seasons – last year with supply chain issues and this year with inflation,” said Vicki McRae, senior vice president of brand, creative, and communications at Rakuten.

    “Rakuten wanted to inspire shoppers by creating a holiday shopping destination with impactful rewards. We are thrilled to bring our online platform to life in New York City because we know seeing, or experiencing, is believing. Our members have earned billions in Cash Back online, and for the first time, shoppers will be able to earn Cash Back on the spot at the pop-up, making Rakuten the most rewarding way to shop this holiday season.”

    Sleigh Your Shopping pop-up 

    For its first in-person shopping event, Rakuten will host a “Sleigh Your Shopping” pop-up event from November 12-13 at 666 Broadway in New York City. 

    Shoppers will earn 10% cash back at the event for every purchase that they make, plus an additional 10% cash back to their Rakuten accounts after the event. The pop-up will also feature some of the biggest brands, ensuring shoppers are able to make progress toward finishing their holiday shopping list. This includes: UGG, JVN Hair, Patrick Ta Beauty, and Quay, among several others. 

    Shoppers simply have to show up to the pop-up and start shopping. The event is free and open to the public. 

    Online shopping opportunities

    For that outside of the New York City area, or for those who prefer to shop online, Rakuten is also offering cash-back deals for online shopping. From November 10-13, shoppers can earn 10% cash back on purchases made through the company’s Holiday Edit gift guide. 

    The company has teamed up with celebrities and social media influencers to curate gift guides in different categories to help make holiday shopping easier – and help shoppers earn more cash back. Erin and Sara Foster have created the Fashion Edit, Kate Hudson created the Wellness Edit, Patrick Ta created the Beauty Edit, and Jonathan Van Ness created the Hair Edit. Each list is full of different gift ideas that also offer shoppers cash back on every purchase. 

    Rakuten also plans to offer special cash-back deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

    Rakuten, the online platform that provides online shoppers with cashback and discount codes, will now offer exclusive opportunities for customers this holi...

    The tech support scam is getting increasingly sophisticated – and dangerous

    The FBI says the number of victims surged last year

    The Boston Division of the FBI is warning consumers of a recent rise in sophisticated tech support scams that have drained victims’ bank accounts. The Bureau says people can avoid this scam if they know what to look for.

    The scam begins with an unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be from tech support at Microsoft or some other well-known company or agency. The contact may take the form of a text, email, or phone call. 

    There have been cases where a pop-up on the victim’s computer warns them their device has been compromised and to immediately call “tech support” at a provided 800 number.

    The FBI says the scammer tries to build credibility with the victim before revealing some bad news – the malware has compromised the victim’s financial accounts. This usually happens after the victim has allowed the scammer to take control of their computer.

    At that point, the victim is handed off to another member of the scam team, who reassures the victim their money will be safe once it is transferred to another account. 

    Victims are often directed to wire or transfer their funds out of brokerage or bank accounts to cryptocurrency exchanges, or to transfer the contents of their crypto wallet to another wallet to “safeguard” the contents. 

    Fraudsters will create fictitious support sites to entice crypto owners to contact them directly and convince them to divulge login information or surrender control of their crypto accounts.

    Time out

    Okay, let’s pause for a moment and assess what is happening – something that rarely happens in real-time as the scam is unfolding. The victim is anxious about possibly losing their money and they don’t often consider these facts:

    • Tech support from Microsoft or any other organization does not initiate contact

    • No tech support has any way of knowing a computer has been compromised

    • Moving funds from the victims’ account to one controlled by someone else is a sure sign of a scam

    • Moving the money in an untraceable manner is another huge red flag

    “Cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new ways to rip off unsuspecting consumers, and this latest tactic has resulted in staggering losses,” said Joseph Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division. “In some cases, we’ve seen victims lose their entire life savings which is why we are urging everyone, especially our aging family members and friends, to heed this warning.” 

    Unsolicited contacts from someone claiming to be from “tech support” can safely be ignored in most cases. If there is the slightest doubt the contact is a scam, end the communication and then contact the organization directly. For example, if the person claims to be from Microsoft tech support, contact Microsoft tech support and ask if there is a problem.

     The FBI says that in 2021, 23,903 people reported losing more than $347 million due to tech support scams. That’s a 137% increase in losses from the previous year. Nearly 60% of the victims were over age 60 and experienced 68% of the losses.

    The Boston Division of the FBI is warning consumers of a recent rise in sophisticated tech support scams that have drained victims’ bank accounts. The Bure...

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      Flying somewhere over the holidays? Are you ready for all the changes you could encounter?

      Experts weigh in with tips on everything from baggage to ways to get through security faster

      If this holiday travel season traffic continues to grow in numbers like the rest of 2022 has, travelers who haven’t flown since the pandemic lifted should be ready for changes that they might not have seen before.

      Here are some possible wrinkles and ideas that ConsumerAffairs found that may be worth considering. It may be worth printing this out and using it as a guide as you plan out your holiday air travel.

      Flights might be packed to the gills. “Flights will all be full so if sitting together with family and friends is important, ensure you have seats reserved,” Sandra McLemore, travel TV host and industry expert told ConsumerAffairs, adding an extra warning that it's unlikely you'll be able to switch on the day of travel without asking another passenger.

      AirlineRatings' Geoffrey Thomas said that if you want more comfort, seating-wise, consider buying an exit row. “It is an excellent investment and not only gives more comfort but reduces stress levels,” he said.

      Drop off your luggage ahead of time. One of the little known tricks of the trade for seasoned travelers is that you actually check your luggage ahead of time!

      “If you're able to do this it can help cut down the amount of time you need to spend in the airport, potentially avoiding some queues. Alternatively, if you can opt just for hand luggage you can reduce any wait times even further,” Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner’s trend and destination expert told ConsumerAffairs. 

      For a complete list of airlines that offer this service, click here.

      Prepare for delays

      Pack a ton of patience for the airport. McLemore says travelers should arrive at the airport 2-3 hours earlier than normal if they don't have TSA and/or CLEAR* membership. Lines will be long, less experienced travelers and people with special needs will take longer to maneuver through the airport.”

      *CLEAR is an airport security membership platform that helps passengers get through security faster at these U.S. airports.

      Some U.S. airports will be especially busy over the Thanksgiving weekend – among them, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Charlotte. Hopper offers a list of the 10 busiest airports and the 10 that suffer the most disruptions. You can find that here.

      If you can, avoid checking luggage. In her opinion, McLemore thinks that a carry-on offers faster movement and less chance of your items going astray.

      However, for those who need to check a bag or are concerned that they could lose or misplace something while traveling, ConsumerAffairs recently found something called PingTag, “lost and found” QR code stickers that can go on things like luggage so if a bag gets lost, anyone who finds it can scan the code and contact the owner.  

      App up! Mary DeSpain, President at Destination CLEs told ConsumerAffairs that travelers should be sure to have their airline’s app downloaded. You’ll be able to use it for boarding, baggage tracking, getting immediate updates, etc.

      Check-in online. “Checking in online can really save time on arrival at the airport. Online check-in is obligatory for some airlines, but even for airlines where it’s not, it’s usually an option,” Lindsay said.

      “If you’ve already checked in online, you can completely avoid the first check-in queue at the airport, going straight to bag drop or security. You’ll also be able to choose your seats in advance, snagging some extra leg room or a window seat before the other passengers get the chance.”

      Keep an eye on the sky

      Watch for weather changes. Putting on her weathercaster hat, DeSpain added that if a traveler sees bad weather coming, they should call their airline immediately to see if they can make changes to their itinerary.

      Travelers can check on whether their flight is on time or stuck somewhere else because of bad weather at FlightAware, ConsumerAffairs go-to site for flight snafus.

      Check how long the lines are in advance. “You can always check the airport’s website for information on whether the security lines are longer than usual,” noted Mercedes Zach, a travel expert at ASAP Tickets. “To save time, check in online or at a self-service desk at the airport whenever possible.”

      Thomas added that if you’re flying with a low-cost airline, you should consider buying priority check-in and boarding.

      “Saves long queues which can be very stressful. At some airports, you can also buy security on departure and customs on arrival priority lanes,” he said. “Worth every cent!”

      How to get through security faster. Zach also told ConsumerAffairs that some locations and airlines may still require masks or even proof of vaccination, so it’s smart to take that documentation with you just in case. 

      Skyscanner’s Lindsay added to dress for success – in the security line! “You’ll likely have to take off your coat and belt before walking through the security screening, as well as some shoes, like boots or high heels. The more you prepare before passing through security, the faster the process will be,” she said.

      Speaking of security checks, are you enrolled in TSA PreCheck?

      Having TSA PreCheck can save a lot of time. In fact, during October 2022, 91% of PreCheck holders waited less than 5 minutes.

      “We always encourage travelers to enroll in TSA PreCheck to facilitate a more seamless experience,” a spokesperson for Airlines for America told us.

      Just so you know, PreCheck comes at a price, but TSA just discounted in-person enrollment and renewals to $78 and online for $70 for 5 years – so that needs to be considered if you don’t plan on flying frequently.

      But, lucky you, one airline industry watcher has found seven ways around TSA Pre-Check fees, as well as Clear and Global Entry.

      "Currently, there are nearly 50 cobranded airline, hotel, and other credit cards offering up to $100 in statement credit reimbursement for the application fees associated with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck," said ThePointsGuy's Caroline Tanner.

      "This credit is typically available every four to five years, though you should check the terms for your specific card for the exact frequency."

      Pack your own snacks

      Bring some snacks if you want to save money. Airlines are still charging for seemingly everything short of going to the bathroom. Yes, water, coffee, tea, etc. are still free, but you’ll pay dearly if you want some snacks. If you want to save money, bring your own snacks.

      The TSA allows travelers to bring everything from bread to yogurt onboard. Some items have to be under a certain size, but with a little advance planning, you could put together some to-go bags for everyone in your group.

      Prepare for flights to be delayed or canceled. “Delays and cancellations are a fact of life any holiday season, but we could see more of them than usual this year as airlines adjust their schedules based on demand, and as they struggle to find qualified workers in some cases,” Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights told ConsumerAffairs.

      “Remember, though, if the airline significantly alters your schedule, you can get a full refund or request that they accommodate you on another flight. It's easier for the larger airlines to do the latter, as they have interline agreements with other airlines,” Keyes added. 

      One important thing to note, however, is the airlines that haven’t agreed to rebook a traveler on another airline with which it has an agreement at no additional cost when a cancellation or delay of a flight is “controllable" (maintenance or crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading, and fueling).

      According to the Department of Transportation's dashboard, Allegiant, Frontier, Southwest*, and Spirit have yet to agree to that rule and anyone flying on those airlines should be aware of what they can and can’t expect in a delay or cancellation. Airlines for America offers a comprehensive guide on the matter, as well. 

      And, if you do get in a jam with a cancellation, there’s AirHelp, a fee-based service that can offer advice to travelers regarding cancellation and other rights.

      If this holiday travel season traffic continues to grow in numbers like the rest of 2022 has, travelers who haven’t flown since the pandemic lifted should...

      Retailers and name brands offer a big salute to veterans with lots of deals this week

      Proof of military service may be required, so get your ID together

      In advance of Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, retailers are lining up to show appreciation for those who are, or have, served the U.S. in the Armed Forces.

      “During this annual federal holiday, we extend this savings to our active-duty military and veterans as a way to help them save money while honoring their brave service,” said Meg Ham, president, Food Lion, one retailer offering a 10% discount. 

      “Our military veterans represent the towns and cities we serve, and Food Lion is committed to caring for and honoring our hometown heroes.”

      According to Military.com, the deals are pretty simple –  proof of military service, such as:

      • Retiree or military ID card

      • Veterans ID card

      • VA Benefits card

      • DD-214 form

      • State of residency ID card

      • And for those shopping online, some retailers will require a registration with ID.me, a digital wallet that provides secure authentication and verification for multiple federal agencies and more than 500 name-brand retailers.

      If you’re a vet, you’ve got a bunch of choices, says Military.com – everything from sporting goods to mattresses. Here’s a partial list of the discounts, dates, and eligibility requirements:

      Sports Gear

      Academy Sports + Outdoors -- Are you (or someone in your family) the athletic type? Active-duty service members and veterans get 10% off the entire purchase online or in-store from October 23 through November 13.

      Adidas -- Veterans and active-duty military get 40% off sitewide until November 12.

      Clothes and Shoes

      HYLETE -- Fitness apparel company HYLETE will offer two Veterans Day promotions from November 11 through November 13. For an extra 10% off service league pricing, shoppers can use code "VET10" or for $20 off a $100 purchase shoppers can use the code "VET20". Only one code may be applied per order.

      Rack Room Shoes -- Military personnel and their dependents get a 20% discount off their entire purchase in-store on November 11.

      American Giant -- Active-duty military, Reservists, National Guard, veterans, and military family members get 30% off online from November 7 through 11.

      General Merchandise

      Target -- Target is going sale crazy this time of year. In addition to its other deep discounts, it is offering a 10% military discount from October 30 through November 12 to all active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families. The discount can be used on two separate transactions and applies to all in-basket items, online and in-store.

      Dollar General -- Veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, and Reserve and their immediate family members save 20% November 10 through 13 on qualifying, in-store purchases.

      Tractor Supply Company -- Active-duty military, veterans and their dependents get a 15% discount on November 11.

      Kohl’s -- Veterans, active and former military personnel, and their immediate families get 30% off in-store purchases from November 11 through 13.

      Automotive

      Just Tires -- If your vehicle needs new tires or a tune-up, active-duty military and veterans get free Car Care Checks at Just Tires, plus an additional 10% off tires and services. Eligible guests who present a valid ID can schedule car care check appointments between November 10 and 14 and redeem service through November 17.

      Goodyear Auto Service -- Active-duty military and veterans get free Car Care Checks, plus an additional 10% off tires and services. Eligible guests who present a valid ID can schedule car care check appointments between November 10 and 14 and redeem service through November 17.

      Grocery Stores

      Southeastern Grocers -- Veterans and active-duty military get an 11% discount with valid documentation on November 11.

      Food Lion -- For its 1,100 stores, Food Lion is offering active-duty military personnel and veterans 10% off on their in-store shopping purchase total before taxes on November 11. Show your military ID and MVP Card at checkout.

      Publix -- Veterans and active-duty military personnel get a 10% discount on groceries on November 11.

      Haircuts

      Great Clips – On November 11, veterans and active service members can go into any U.S. Great Clips salon and get a free haircut or a free haircut card for a future visit.

      In addition, non-military customers who get a haircut on Veterans Day will also have the opportunity to pay it forward. They can receive a free haircut card to give to an active service member or veteran that can be redeemed for a free haircut from November 12 through December 9.

      Sport Clips -- On November 11, participating locations will provide free haircuts to veterans and active-duty service members with valid proof of service.

      Vitamins and Drug Stores

      Vitamin Shoppe -- From November 10 to 13, veterans receive a 25% discount on their entire purchase at any in-store location of The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements.

      Walgreens -- On November 11 through 14, veterans, active-duty military and their families receive 20% off regular price eligible store items at any Walgreens or Duane Reade drugstore nationwide.

      Office Supplies

      Staples -- Active-duty military personnel, reservists, retired or disabled veterans and their immediate families get a 25% discount November 6 through 12.

      Office Depot and OfficeMax -- Veterans, active-duty military personnel, Reservists, and their dependents get 25% off qualifying regular and sale-priced purchases November 11 through 13. This offer is valid in-store only and requires a coupon.

      Furniture

      Lovesac -- Active and retired service members and their registered dependents get 25% off online after verification. Apply for your discount code by October 30, then redeem your code by November 13.

      Sleep Number -- Shopping for a new mattress? Active-duty military and veterans receive 20% off most Sleep Number 360 smart beds, all bases, and most bedding purchases. This offer is valid from November 1 through 14.

      In advance of Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, retailers are lining up to show appreciation for those who are, or have, served the U.S. in the Armed Forc...

      If you use a prayer app someone else could be listening in, report finds

      If you want a prayer app, one security expert says you need to be careful

      As part of its review process on products that connect a person’s privacy and security online and with other companies, a new report from the Mozilla Foundation takes aim at apps that it says are “super creepy” when it comes to users’ privacy.

      The report focuses its attention on mental health and prayer apps, saying their privacy standards are worse than any other product category.

      The foundation’s analysts claim some of those apps routinely share data, permit weak passwords, bombard powerless users with personalized ads, and live off the premise of hazy and unintelligible privacy policies. 

      “They track, share, and capitalize on users’ most intimate personal thoughts and feelings, like moods, mental state, and biometric data,” said Jen Caltrider, Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included lead.

      “Turns out, researching mental health apps is not good for your mental health, as it reveals how negligent and craven these companies can be with our most intimate personal information.”

      The study looked at 32 mental health and prayer apps and anointed all but four with a *Privacy Not Included warning label and said most were “exceptionally creepy.” One of those 28 offenders is the faith-based app, Pray.com.

      The app serves a number of functions, including as a social media platform for religious communities. Churches and other religious organizations use the platform to engage in discussions, Livestream services, and solicit and receive donations.

      Individuals using the app may participate in “prayer communities” where users can ask for and answer prayer requests.

      It sounds innocent enough but the question may arise over how this highly personal data is handled. ThreatPost reported that in late 2020, data from Pray.com leaked private data for up to 10 million people.

      Included in that data leak were lists of a church’s attendees containing information for each churchgoer such as names, home and email addresses, phone numbers, and marital status. In addition, ThreatPost reported that the information exposed in a public cloud bucket also included church-donation information, photos, and users’ contact lists

      Pray for your privacy

      On a recent Freakonomics Radio podcast, author Stephen Dubner investigated the landscape of faith-based apps, of which Pray.com is only a part. Dubner expressed concern that these apps were sharing user data with Facebook. The Mozilla Foundation report said that is a real concern.

      “If you use Pray.com, you'd better pray for your privacy. Because Pray.com is absolutely awful when it comes to their users' privacy and security,” the Mozilla analysts wrote. 

      The primary stress point for the analysts was the figurative ton of personal information that’s spun into an asset and a healthy revenue stream. 

      “Pray.com then says they can use all this data to target you with ads, share with third parties to target you with ads and share with other ‘faith-based organizations’ so they can target you too,” the report said.

      “We don't mean to be, well, mean, but Pray.com really feels like it might be a data harvesting business targeting Christians for purposes that go way way way beyond helping them on their prayer journey. … It all feels kinda icky to us.” 

      Mozilla Foundation’s advice? “Find another prayer app.”

      ConsumerAffairs reached out to Pray.com and Facebook for comment but did not receive answers to the questions we posed regarding privacy policies, personal data that is being shared, and for what purposes personal data is shared.

      Whatever the app, you still need to be careful

      Are there prayer apps that the Foundation spared from being labeled “*Privacy Not Included”? Yes, one. Among those listed, the only one ConsumerAffairs found that met that criteria and readers did not qualify as “Super Creepy” was the “Hallow” app.

      To Hallow’s credit, the researchers said the company was the only one who replied to all its questions and even updated its password requirement to require users to log in with a strong password when the Foundation noted that the app allowed the use of a relatively weak password like “11111.”

      Alongside Pray.com, others in the category not meeting the criteria by both researchers and readers were the King James Bible Daily Verse and Audio and Abide. There was one app – Glorify – that was a split decision. Foundation researchers gave it a thumbs-up, but readers pegged it as “Super Creepy.”

      So, what’s someone who wants to engage with a prayer app to do? If you do decide to find another, be careful, Harold Li, vice president at ExpressVPN, told ConsumerAffairs. 

      “This is not the first time that faith-based apps are caught sharing data with third parties. Last year, ExpressVPN conducted extensive research on location trackers embedded in 450 social, messaging, and faith-based apps to measure the extent to which they intrude on location privacy for individuals around the world,” Li said, highlighting the fact that those investigated apps were downloaded by users 1.7 billion times in total.

      As part of its review process on products that connect a person’s privacy and security online and with other companies, a new report from the Mozilla Found...

      Some Vonage customers may get a cut of a $100 million fine

      The FTC charges the company makes it nearly impossible for customers to cancel

      If you have been a Vonage customer and found it nearly impossible to cancel the service, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may have some money for you.

      The agency has gone to court to stop Vonage, which provides internet phone service, from imposing “junk” fees and creating obstacles for those who try to cancel their service. The FTC alleges that the company used dark patterns to make it difficult for consumers to cancel and often continued to illegally charge them even after they spoke to an agent directly and requested cancellation. 

      The FTC has negotiated a court order that, if approved, would require Vonage to pay $100 million in refunds to consumers harmed by the company’s actions. The company would also be required to make its cancellation process simple and transparent, and stop charging consumers without their consent.

      “Today the FTC delivers on our commitment to protect consumers from illegal dark pattern tactics by companies that prevent consumers from canceling their services,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. “This record-breaking settlement should remind companies that they must make cancellation easy or face serious legal consequences.”

      The FTC has previously served notice on companies that sell subscriptions that they must offer “clear and conspicuous” instructions for customers who want to cancel the service. A year ago the FTC issued a new policy enforcement statement that warned companies not to deploy illegal dark patterns that trick or trap consumers into subscription services. 

      Rising number of complaints

      At the time, the FTC said the move was a response to a rising number of complaints about the financial harms caused by deceptive sign-up tactics, including unauthorized charges or ongoing billing that is impossible to cancel.

      The FTC’s policy statement puts companies on notice that they will face legal action if their sign-up process fails to provide clear, up-front information, obtain consumers’ informed consent, and make cancellation easy. The FTC said the action against Vonage is a result of that policy.

      The FTC complaint against Vonage contends the company has harmed consumers by:

      • Eliminating cancelation options

      • Making the cancelation process difficult to complete

      • Imposing “junk” fees when customers do cancel

      • Continuing the charge customers even after they cancel

      If the agreement is approved by the court, Vonage will pay the FTC $100 million. The agency will then distribute the money to consumers.

      If you have been a Vonage customer and found it nearly impossible to cancel the service, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may have some money for you....

      Here's why retailers are trying to 'speed up' Black Friday

      One expert offers consumers a way to get inside information on even better deals

      Despite all the sales that retailers like Target, Macy’s, Walmart, and others are promoting as season-long “Black Friday” sales, the real Black Friday hasn’t happened, yet, and all these little pop-up sales are causing confusion.

      The shopping pundits at RetailDive pin the tail on Amazon for starting this mess.

      “This year, Amazon again staged a second big Prime sales event, though the e-commerce giant didn’t want to call it Prime Day since that took place over the summer. As Target and other retailers held sales of their own around the same time, it seemed like Black Friday had begun, at least in spirit,” Daphne Howland said.

      “It isn’t really turning out that way, though. Amazon’s sale was something of a disappointment, for example.”

      Why the rush?

      The decision not to wait until the official Black Friday on November 25 is most likely due to two issues. For one, some retailers are sitting on inventory that’s choking space on their shelves and in unopened boxes in the back of the store. The other is that stores are suffering from the impact of inflation which is keeping consumers from opening their wallets.

      According to a new NDP survey, a concerning 20% of holiday shoppers say they will spend less over the holidays because their economic situation has changed. Add to that, more than one in ten (12%) shoppers will be spending less on gifts so they can spend more on holiday entertaining-related expenses, like food, drink, and decorations in our first true holiday shopping out of COVID-19’s shadows.

      “Consumers are ready to get out and celebrate over the 2022 holiday season, but last year’s optimism has taken a beating as financial concerns have them feeling a bit more grinchy this year,” said Marshal Cohen, chief retail industry advisor for NPD.

      “Despite economic challenges, consumers still have just as many friends and family members to shop for during the holidays, they will just be spending differently.” 

      Finding deals will be different, too, this year

      Being pandemic-free, consumers say they will be both shopping more and buying more in stores as opposed to online. Believe it or not, two in five Americans miss the chaos of in-person Black Friday shopping.

      The question is how do consumers find these in-store specials? The key word is “retention,” suggests Heather Dougherty, vice president of success at Lexer, a customer data platform for retailers.

      “Consumers who are members of loyalty programs will probably really benefit from exclusive offers, early access to sales, special discounts, gifts with purchase and all sorts of other types of benefits,” Dougherty said.

      She told FoxNews2 that deal-watchers should keep an eye out for communications from the retailers they plan to shop with. And, for those who don’t belong to a retailer’s loyalty program, it would be a smart move to sign up for one or download the retailer’s app.

      However, Dougherty said consumers need to make sure that if there’s a fee to take part in a loyalty program – like Walmart+ – consumers should weigh the cost versus potential savings before they commit.

      Despite all the sales that retailers like Target, Macy’s, Walmart, and others are promoting as season-long “Black Friday” sales, the real Black Friday hasn...

      Shopping for a mattress? Consumers rank the best companies

      J.D. Power declares Tempur-Pedic the champ but ConsumerAffairs reviewers say otherwise

      A mattress purchase is highly important since buyers will likely spend one-third of each day sleeping on it. Comfort, durability and price are all important considerations.

      In its annual survey of mattress buyers, J.D. Power found Tempur-Pedic ranked first in customer satisfaction, both for online and in-store retail sales. On a 1,000-point scale, Tempur-Pedic scored 905 for in-store purchases and 894 for online orders.

      Mattress companies were ranked by consumers based on comfort; price; support; durability; warranty; variety of features; and customer service.

      For in-store purchases, consumers ranked Sleep Number second and Serta third. For online purchases, consumers ranked Casper second and Purple third.

      When we checked consumer reviews posted at ConsumerAffairs, Tempur-Pedic didn’t perform as well. In fact, it tied for last place with Serta.

      What ConsumerAffairs reviewers say

      Based on a 5-star review system, ConsumerAffairs reviews rank the five mattress companies this way:

      The verified ConsumerAffairs reviews were all posted within the last 12 months. Some of the recent reviews of Temper-Pedic cite customer service and delivery issues.

      On the other hand, Miguel, a reviewer from Boston, told us he is very happy with his Casper mattress.

      “VERY COMFORTABLE mattress, 100% recommended, if you want a better quality sleep, buy this product, you won't regret it,” Miguel wrote.

      Mattresses are definitely not a one-size-fits-all purchase. Sleep experts generally agree that the right mattress will depend on your sleep position, body type, and personal preferences. That’s why some online mattress sellers allow returns after a few weeks.

      Adjustable beds may be another good option since the mattresses can be adjusted for different body types. Check out the ConsumerAffairs Adjustable Bed Guide here.

      A mattress purchase is highly important since buyers will likely spend one-third of each day sleeping on it. Comfort, durability and price are all importan...

      Scammers are targeting crypto traders with phony invoices

      Cybersecurity experts say they’re dangerous because they are clever imitations

      While some scams have become more sophisticated, targeting individuals with specific information, others continue to cast a wide net, hoping to snag victims by sending out millions of identical emails to random addresses.

      Cybersecurity experts at TrendMicro have identified one of the latter, pointing out its dangers. The scheme involves sending a fake Trust Wallet invoice, through PayPal, to an extensive email list.

      But it’s not just a fake invoice. It’s a counterfeit document that is almost a perfect replica of a real Trust Wallet invoice. Check out the two scam examples below.

      Both invoices are fake but both look real. The one on the right might be particularly convincing because it looks like it was sent from a PayPal email address.

      How did they manage to do that? The cybersecurity experts at TrendMicro say it’s relatively simple. The scammers created a PayPal seller account called “Trust Wallet” – that is in no way affiliated with the legitimate company Trust Wallet – and sent people these invoices in the hope that they will pay them without question.

      Trust Wallet is an app used to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. People who don’t trade in crypto are less likely to bite on the scam because frankly they probably have never heard of the company.

      But the millions of crypto traders who get the email could easily think it was something they overlooked and pay it without giving it much thought. If they do, the money goes straight into the scammer’s pocket with no way to get it back.

      If you get one of these emails you can report it to PayPal’s resolution center here.

      While some scams have become more sophisticated, targeting individuals with specific information, others continue to cast a wide net, hoping to snag victim...

      Searching for that hard-to-find product? A scammer knows that too, and will make you pay!

      The holiday season is also strong password season

      The reports of phishing attacks over the holidays are starting to grow. The new wrinkle for hackers it seems is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve a hacker’s ability to gather information and target a specific victim. 

      Most of those targeted victims are online shoppers who hackers have discovered have gotten lackadaisical in what they click on and are clicking wily-nily on anything and everything. That’s especially true in emails.

      Cybercreeps are sending out offers by the ton, bombarding users' inboxes with links to deep discounts knowing that there are enough people who’ll click on links and hand over credentials.  

      “E-shopping continues to be a prime target because people are pre-programmed to click on links," Phishfirewall CEO, Joshua Crumbaugh told ConsumerAffairs. "Online deals bombard users' inboxes with links to deep discounts, and this adds fuel to the fire, creating the perfect scenario to get people to click on links and hand over credentials.

      “With scams getting increasingly sophisticated, it's hard to say precisely what tactics the bad guys will use, but they are only after just a few things: Stealing your account credentials, your identity/financial information, or infecting your computer with malware/ransomware.”

      A new PlayStation 5 or Dyson product on your wishlist?

      Crumbaugh said that his company found that phishing attacks centered on hot but scarce items, and using those as bait are paying off for hackers.

      “Fake discounts on hard-to-find items such as PS5's and Dyson hair products with the goal of stealing credentials are growing," he said. "We’ve also seen fake purchase alerts that attempt to infect your computer with ransomware and fake Amazon security alerts with the intent to steal your credentials.”

      How to keep the phishers away

      If you think that it’s Google’s or Microsoft's or Apple’s job to keep phishing emails out of your inbox, you might want to reconsider thinking that.

      Yes, Gmail or Hotmail or Apple iCloud Mail try to keep phishing emails from getting in with their email spam filters, but scammers are cunning enough to find ways around those filters.

      The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers that it would be wise to add extra layers of protection to protect themselves from phishing attacks.

      One of the agency's strongest suggestion is to protect your cell phone by setting software to update automatically. These updates could give you critical protection against security threats.

      Here's how to do that on an iPhone and how to do it on an Android device.

      And that password of yours? How long do you think it would take a hacker to crack it?

      Another smart move is getting a password manager. Because if you do...

      1. It allows you to use harder-to-crack passwords. (If you want to see how weak or strong your password is, check it here)
      2. You don’t have to remember all of them. 
      3. Plus -- and it's huge plus -- you can have a different password for every site.

      That last point is a move that Dustin Heywood, a password specialist at IBM X-Force Red, says maximizes a person's password security.

      "The reason passwords should not be the same between sites is that systems get breached, and then attackers [can] reuse passwords or even get passwords out of plaintext through phishing," Heywood told ConsumerAffairs. "This makes a password manager critical."

      The reports of phishing attacks over the holidays are starting to grow. The new wrinkle for hackers it seems is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to...

      Here’s what a 2022 housing market ‘crash’ might look like

      Housing experts say it will look nothing like 2009

      A new report from Realtor.com shows home listings increased 33% in October over October 2021. The increase in inventory is not because more people are selling but because fewer are buying.

      The housing market has come to a near standstill in the last few months, leading some to speculate it could be headed for a “crash,” an undefined state in which home values fall.

      It’s happened before, as recently as 2009. Then, thousands of homes went into foreclosure and millions of homeowners found themselves owing more than their homes were worth.

      Could it happen again? Most housing experts point out that today’s market woes are very different from 13 years ago.

      Today, the market has stalled for one big reason – rising mortgage rates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market exploded. Prices surged because demand far outweighed supply.

      Low interest rates fueled record home prices

      People with good jobs could afford to pay record-high prices for a home because the interest rate was 3% or less, providing an affordable monthly payment. But when the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate surpassed 7%, as it did last month, then the monthly payment was hundreds of dollars higher, meaning many people who would like to buy a home can no longer afford to.

      As a result, home prices have already fallen from their record highs reached in June. But Alex Platt, principal agent with the Platt Group, part of Compass Real Estate in Boca Raton, Fla., says that is far from a “crash.”

      “Look, no one knows what’s going to happen,” Platt recently told us. “But I don’t think there’s going to be a big ‘crash’ coming. Could there be a correction, sure? But prices nearly doubled in the last two years. So even if prices come down 10 or 15%, the market is still up.”

      But what about people who purchased homes last year, at the very top of the market? Could they trigger a crash, much like they did in 2009? Not really, experts say.

      Most people who purchased homes in 2021 got a mortgage rate of 3% or less. As long as they stay employed they should be able to easily swing the monthly mortgage payment.

      What's different this time?

      So how was 2009 different? At that time, the mortgage industry was approving loans to just about anyone, whether they could afford the home or not. The lender sold the mortgage to Wall Street investment banks within days so lenders didn’t care.

      Many of these buyers put no money down and took out subprime mortgages, which had a low “teaser” interest rate for the first year or two before the rate jumped to double-digits. When that happened, millions of those homes went into foreclosure, dragging home values down with them. It was the wave of foreclosures that triggered the crash, flooding the market with repossessed homes.

      Today, very few homes are in danger of default, even those whose values are now lower than the purchase price. Unlike more than a decade ago, most of today’s buyers made significant down payments – of up to 20% – and still have some equity even if prices go down.

      People who bought homes at the top of the market may feel like there’s a housing market crash, at least for a while. But most real estate economists predict the market will quickly right itself if prices fall too low.

      Realtor.com notes that, unlike in 2009, the U.S. still has a severe housing shortage. Even with rising interest rates, demand is expected to exceed – or at least keep up with – the supply of homes.

      A new report from Realtor.com shows home listings increased 33% in October over October 2021. The increase in inventory is not because more people are sell...

      Looking to save money on phone plans? Cricket gives consumers a free try-before-you-buy option.

      Two weeks of unlimited talk and text and 3gb of data for those who want to try it out

      At a time when mobile phone plans can be a concern for consumers who are trying to save money, Cricket Wireless is giving consumers an opportunity to try its network for free with the launch of the tryCricket app in the Apple App store.

      Being a low-cost carrier, Cricket doesn’t always get the same ink that the wireless big boys like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile do, but it has 13 million subscribers who apparently like the service. As an example of that, earlier this year Cricket ranked number one in Customer Service and Purchase Experience for the second consecutive time in a J.D. Power study.

      Another question that might be asked is about coverage areas. Riding on the backbone of AT&T, Cricket users have access to the same coverage area, a fact not lost on ConsumerAffairs reviewer Francisco, of Berber, Calif.

      “I've used Cricket Wireless for over a year now. Before this, I actually used Metro By T-Mobile, he wrote in his review of the company. "When I compare both cellular companies I actually get better coverage almost wherever I go. Although where I live it's kind of slow sometimes but most of the time I'm able to do most of my things. Usually, I need to have the internet when I go to work in which Cricket does the job.”

      Comparing prices, the Cricket plans that ConsumerAffairs reviewed were far more straightforward than the larger carriers, with four-person plans going for $100 a month. 

      The only thing that might be a barrier for some is that Cricket is all about simple and essential vs. bells and whistles. If you or someone in your family is a data hog and constantly streaming videos, you need to know that if Cricket’s network gets busy, it “may” temporarily slow speeds.

      How this try-before-you-buy offer works

      On the surface, it may sound confusing that someone who’s on a T-Mobile plan can actually try another carrier service without changing phones or SIM cards. But in the digital age, someone came up with the bright idea of “eSIM,” which allows mobile customers to switch services without having to physically switch out a SIM card.

      Jeff Moore, principal of Wave7 Research, thinks highly of eSIM.

      “There are several benefits of eSIM for simplifying consumer experiences, including the ability to switch carriers more easily, the ability to have more than one number associated with a device, and the ability to easily choose a carrier when traveling abroad," he said.

      The tryCricket offer is only available for iPhones at the moment, but an Android version could come later. When someone signs up for the tryout, they’ll get a temporary phone number with 3GB of data with unlimited talk and text during the trial period. If they like what they see, then they can port over their current phone number. The tryCricket app is available here.

      At a time when mobile phone plans can be a concern for consumers who are trying to save money, Cricket Wireless is giving consumers an opportunity to try i...

      The Fed hiked interest rates again. Here’s what it means if you have a credit card balance

      The average credit card interest rate will likely hit another record high

      When Federal Reserve policymakers raised the federal funds rate another 0.75% this week, the focus was on Wall Street, where the move was panned by investors. Stock prices fell sharply once again.

      There was less focus on consumers – particularly on those carrying large credit card balances. But they are being affected by the series of rate hikes as much as anyone.

      The federal funds rate directly affects what banks pay for money – a cost that is passed on to borrowers. Each time the Fed hikes, banks charge more in the form of higher interest.

      That is especially true for the interest rate on credit cards, which was already high before the Fed began to increase interest rates in an effort to rein in inflation. The average variable credit card rate is now 18.77%, the highest since February 1993, according to Bankrate.com. At the beginning of 2022, the rate averaged 16.30%.

      The difference in those two rates amounts to about $20 a month in added interest on a $10,000 balance. That might not sound like a lot but for consumers making only the minimum payment each month, it can be painful.

      A study by the Brookings Institute found that about three in 10 credit card borrowers make monthly payments at or near the required minimum. Paying only the minimum each month greatly lengthens the payoff time and results in large interest charges. Adding charges to the balance each month only makes the payoff longer and more expensive.

      “It is the debt that consumers say they are most worried about,” Gary Koenig, vice president of financial security at AARP, told Yahoo Money. “With interest rates on credit cards rising, I would expect to see this number rising too in the months ahead. It is a very difficult situation for many consumers.”

      Alternatives

      Fortunately, consumers carrying high-interest credit card debt have a couple of good options. The first is to apply for a balance transfer card offering a year or more of 0% interest. 

      By making large monthly payments cardholders can put a dent in their balances because the entire payment goes to paying off the principal. ConsumerAffairs has identified the best balance transfer credit cards here.

      A second option is to apply for a personal loan, using the proceeds to pay off a high-interest credit card. According to a study by the St. Louis Federal Reserve bank, there has never been a wider gap between rates on personal loans and credit cards.

      According to the latest data, which was for August, the average interest rate on 24-month personal loans was 10.16%, significantly below the average credit card rate. Like other types of loans, rates will vary based on your credit score and how much you need to borrow. 

      The ConsumerAffairs Research Team vetted 24 loan companies with annual percentage rates (APRs) less than 36%. Check out our findings here.

      When Federal Reserve policymakers raised the federal funds rate another 0.75% this week, the focus was on Wall Street, where the move was panned by investo...

      Want to save on Thanksgiving dinner? Grocery chains are lining up to offer low turkey day prices.

      BJ’s Wholesale Club offers shoppers a way to get a free Butterball turkey, too

      Thanksgiving shopping is about to kick into high gear and with the price of putting on a Thanksgivng feast expected to be off the chart this year, Aldi, BJ's, and Lidl are trying to beat others to the punch by offering turkey day essentials at prices that won’t have to break the bank but still make sure everyone’s happy at the dinner table.

      Aldi’s deals

      Aldi has been atop the grocery leaderboard on Dunnhumby’s Retailer Preference Index Report for five straight years and they’re not about to lose their throne, based on what the chain has in store for Thanksgiving deals. 

      Effective Wednesday, Aldi is doing a blast from the past by matching its pre-pandemic prices and offering as much as 30% off on appetizers, desserts, sides, and beverages. 

      To find those specific deals, all shoppers have to look for is the big red “Thanksgiving Price Rewind” symbol in local ads, online, and inside its stores.

      “Providing amazing products at the absolute lowest prices is what we’ve always done, and we know right now that’s more important than ever,” said Dave Rinaldo, president of ALDI U.S. 

      “We expect to welcome tens of millions of customers in our stores this Thanksgiving season, and we want them to know they can count on us.” 

      Lidl’s deals

      Not to be outdone, Lidl has gathered all the Thanksgiving meal essentials and slashed prices enough that a family will be able to assemble a traditional Thanksgiving meal at Lidl that feeds up to 10 people for less than $30.

      With concerns over turkey availability and prices – averaging 73% higher than last year according to the USDA – Lidl is squeezing its profit margin on the bird hard. Its basket of deals includes a frozen turkey for $0.49 cents per pound, which is available through Lidl’s free-to-use loyalty program, myLidl. The basket will be available at all Lidl U.S. stores starting November 2 as long as supplies last. 

      Below is the list of Lidl’s Thanksgiving basket items and quantities that consumers can purchase for less than $30.

      • Frozen Turkey (13 lbs.)
      • Pumpkin Pie Mix, 30 oz.
      • Pie Crusts x 2
      • Milk, 1 gallon, whole
      • Celery, 1 stalk, whole
      • Baby Carrots, 16 oz.
      • Sweet Peas, 16 oz.
      • Fresh Cranberries, 12 oz.
      • Sweet Potatoes, 3 lbs. bag
      • Heavy Whipping Cream, 1 pint
      • Turkey Stuffing Mix x 3 (18 oz.)
      • Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, 12 count

      BJ’s Wholesale Club wants in, too

      The third entry in the pre-Thanksgiving price race is BJ’s Wholesale Club. But, rather than try to compete on a variety of items, it’s sticking to one – turkey.

      Through November 10, any BJ’s member who spends $150 in the same transaction, either in-club or online, will get a digital coupon for a free Butterball whole turkey, fresh or frozen, to be redeemed between November 12 and November 23, but only while supplies last. 

      To qualify, members will need to create a digital account on BJs.com, so they can clip their free turkey offer in their coupon gallery, either through the BJ’s mobile app or online at BJs.com.

      There’s some fine print consumers need to know before they drive to a BJ’s, though. Things like alcohol, gift cards, optical wear, tobacco products, and other items are excluded. Full details are available here.

      Thanksgiving shopping is about to kick into high gear and with the price of putting on a Thanksgivng feast expected to be off the chart this year, Aldi, BJ...

      FCA issues Do Not Drive order for older Dodges and Chryslers

      As many as 276,000 vehicles still have dangerous airbags

      If you own a 2005 to 2010 Dodge Magnum station wagon, Dodge Challenger coupe, Dodge Charger, or Chrysler 300 the automaker says you should stop driving it immediately.

      FCA US warns that approximately 276,000 of these vehicles on U.S. highways still have Takata airbags on the driver’s side that have not been modified. The defective airbags can deploy unexpectedly, spraying bits of metal through the vehicle’s interior, resulting in death or injury.

      “Owners or custodians of these vehicles will be contacted directly, advised to stop driving their vehicles, and urged to obtain the necessary service, which continues to be available free of charge at any certified FCA-brand dealer. FCA – the first automaker to migrate from Takata to an alternate source of replacement parts – has sufficient inventory of new airbags to meet demand,” the company said in a statement.

      As yet, these more than a quarter million FCA vehicles are not under recall. That may come later but for now, the company says they are too dangerous to be driven.

      The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that tens of millions of vehicles with Takata airbags are under recall. Long-term exposure to high heat and humidity can cause these airbags to explode when deployed. Such explosions have caused injuries and at least 19 deaths in the U.S. 

      ‘Increasingly dangerous’

      “Left unrepaired, recalled Takata airbags are increasingly dangerous as the risk of an explosion rises as vehicles age,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson. “Every day that passes when you don’t get a recalled airbag replaced, puts you and your family at greater risk of injury or death.”  

      The defective airbags were used by nearly every automaker and millions have been recalled in the last decade. Safety regulators are concerned about the recalled airbags that have yet to be modified or replaced. 

      NHTSA says that even minor fender-benders can result in exploding airbags that can kill or produce life-altering injuries. Older models, such as those being recalled by FCA, are especially dangerous.

      Vehicle owners who prefer talking to the manufacturer directly can call Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Takata Call Center Phone at: 833-585-0144 or go to the website. To find out Takata-specific information from other vehicle manufacturers, please check here. For more information on the Takata airbag safety recall, please check here.

      If you own a 2005 to 2010 Dodge Magnum station wagon, Dodge Challenger coupe, Dodge Charger, or Chrysler 300 the automaker says you should stop driving it...

      Online secondhand store Mercari to host deals this holiday season

      Consumers can get discounts for listing items on Mercari

      With the holiday shopping season starting earlier than ever, and inflation putting a dent in consumers’ shopping budgets, Mercari is working to make it easier than ever to shop second hand this holiday season. 

      Mercari, an online secondhand store where consumers can list their own new or used items or buy from others at a discounted rate, is hosting a holiday listing event from November 6-13, in addition to offering sales during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as through the first few weeks of December. 

      “American households are sitting on an estimated $580 billion worth of products they’re no longer using (the equivalent of $4,517 per household), according to Mercari’s Reuse Report,” the company wrote. “Selling these unused items is a great way to declutter and pass on quality items to others – all while earning extra cash for holiday shopping.” 

      List more items, get more savings

      From November 6-13, Mercari users will get discounts on secondhand items, with the more items that they list for sale. Customers who list between two and four items will receive a coupon for $5 off a $50+ order. Similarly, listing five to nine items will yield $10 off a $50+ order, and listing 10 or more items gets $20 off a $50+ order. 

      During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Mercari is gearing its sales toward new customers. New users will receive $10 off their orders – with no restrictions on items eligible for the discount – from November 25-27. On top of that, new users will also receive 10% off their first order, and 30% off a second purchase made within the next week. 

      The last sale offer will take shoppers right through the beginning of December. Mercari will host 12 Days of Gifting from December 1-12. Each day, the Mercari website and app will have different offers for shoppers to reduce their spending totals even further. 

      Mercari’s online shop has secondhand and vintage items in nearly every category – toys, clothes, household items, and jewelry, among several others. It could present a unique opportunity for consumers to save money on gifts this holiday season. 

      With the holiday shopping season starting earlier than ever, and inflation putting a dent in consumers’ shopping budgets, Mercari is working to make it eas...