Current Events in December 2022

If you are one of the many consumers who received a barrage of unsolicited telemarketing calls from DirecTV or their debt collectors, you may be due a share of a $17 million settlement.

The TV provider agreed to settle a lawsuit by consumers who said they got calls from DirecTV or from debt collectors, even though they had not been customers since 2004. The suit charged the contacts were illegal under the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and a judge agreed.

Time is running short to receive compensation since the deadline is Dec. 19. Affected consumers can fill out a claim form here.

Electrolux dryers

If you purchased an Electrolux clothes dryer more than a decade ago, you may be due a portion of an undisclosed financial settlement. The company has settled a class-action lawsuit filed by plaintiffs who claimed the appliances were defective and prone to igniting lint.

The settlement includes consumers who purchased the machines between Jan. 1, 2002, and Dec. 31, 2011. The suit claims consumers would not have purchased the dryers if they had known about the defect.

The plaintiffs alleged the company violated its warranties and violated consumer protection laws, profiting from the sale of the defective dryers. Affected consumers have until Dec. 31 to file a claim. The claim form is available here.

Chicken price-fixing

Long before chicken prices surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some consumers complained that chicken prices were being held artificially high. As the result of a class-action lawsuit settlement, chicken processors have agreed to pay $181 million.

The suit claimed Tyson Food, Fieldale, George’s, Mar-Jac, Peco, and Pilgrim’s Pride conspired to raise the price of chicken products in a coordinated move. 

Consumers may be eligible for compensation if they purchased whole chicken, chicken breasts, or chicken wings from any of those producers between Jan. 1, 2009, and July 31, 2019. Consumers can use this claim form but must file by Dec. 31.

GE data breach

General Electric (GE) is paying an undisclosed amount of money to settle a class-action suit stemming from a data breach that occurred in 2020. The plaintiffs sued, claiming GE did not properly address the issue.

Under the terms of the settlement, if you received a notification that your information may have been exposed in the breach, you may be due compensation. The plaintiffs claimed GE could have prevented the breach by following proper security protocols.

The breach exposed names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive data. Consumers have until Dec. 22 to file a claim using this form.

Pet food

Pet food maker Pets Global is paying almost $2 million to consumers who purchased its Zignature dog food. The class-action lawsuit charged the company promoted the product as grain-free or chicken-free when, in fact, it contained one or both of the ingredients.

The plaintiffs contend they would not have purchased the product if they knew the actual ingredients. To be eligible for compensation under the settlement consumers must have purchased Zignature dog food between June 2, 2017, and June 24, 2022.

Consumers must file a claim by Dec. 21. The claim form is here.

There’s some bad news to report. The grinches who want to mess up our holidays are officially working overtime.

According to new data shared with ConsumerAffairs, fraud attempts from those killjoys increase by about 30% during the holidays. 

To protect your personal data and especially your good name regarding credit and banking,  Cyndie Martini, CEO and founder of credit card processing company Member Access Processing, offered her personal to-do list when it comes to consumers guarding themselves against those grinches.

Safely buy and use gift cards. Gift cards are a particular fave of grinches. Martini says you should buy gift cards from stores you know and trust and avoid buying gift cards from unfamiliar websites. 

And what about the person who receives a physical gift card? “If you’re the recipient of a gift card, make sure that there are protective stickers and that the gift card hasn’t been tampered with,” she said. “Scammers are taking down gift card information and passcodes, waiting until they activate the gift card, and will use the money before you are able to do so!”

Verify the seller. “Before making an online purchase, do your research and make sure to verify the validity of the website you’re purchasing from. Read customer reviews on Google, other review websites, and on social media. Verify the website's security and that the URL is authentic, and check for a lock icon as well.”

Safeguard your passwords. The consuming public is probably tired of hearing about things like two-factor authentication, but the fact remains that the tools scammers use can pretty much crack any log-in short of that extra step.

Platforms like Google and Facebook offer it as an option and there are plenty of apps that can facilitate it as well. It may be a pain, but it’s the best deterrent out there at the moment.

Don't trust every call, text, or email you receive. Martini’s last word to the wise is that letting a call to voicemail or not responding to an unknown email or text message may save you a ton of trouble. 

“Scammers are sending convincing emails of package or shipping information, or bank password reset links. Do not press on those links and double-check the email address. The same can be said for phone calls about your bank information, end the call and call the number on the back of your bank,” she said.

In case you haven’t noticed, it costs a lot less to fill your car’s gas tank. The price of gasoline has consistently fallen over the last several weeks.

AAA reports the national average price of regular gas is $3.44 a gallon, three cents a gallon less than Thursday. Compared to one year ago the average price of regular is just seven cents a gallon more.

The average price of a gallon of gasoline is now below $3 in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, and Oklahoma. It’s right at $3 a gallon in Louisiana and Missouri.

So what’s happened since the average price hit a record high of $5.01 a gallon back in June? It’s not that Americans are driving less.

This week’s report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows demand for gasoline held steady at 3.2 million barrels a day last week. At the same time, refineries were busy producing more motor fuel.

Supplies are increasing

Government data show total domestic gasoline stocks rose by a little more than 1%. With demand the same, there is less pressure to send prices higher.

But how low can prices go? Many industry analysts think prices at the pump can continue to fall throughout the holiday season, helping motorists cope with rising prices elsewhere.

“The next 60 days look really, really hospitable for consumers,” Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for OPIS, told the Wall Street Journal.

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, also expects gas prices to continue falling, holding out the possibility of a national average price of $2.99 a gallon by Christmas.

“All the metrics look very positive for motorists as this week is likely to continue seeing falling gasoline prices, with many areas falling to the lowest level since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February,” DeHaan said.

What about that invasion?

But what about the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, which sparked international sanctions on Russian oil sales? At the time, there were fears that if Russia couldn’t sell its oil it would lead to worldwide shortages.

It hasn’t worked out that way. Russia has found new customers in the non-Western world so the total supply of oil has remained fairly stable. Currently, the price of U.S.-produced WTI is around $80 a barrel after rising well over $100 earlier this year.

China has also kept oil prices from rising very much. The government there has shut down economic activity in several major cities in an effort to stamp out COVID-19. That has led to a reduction in Chinese oil demand.

And, there’s more good news. The price of diesel fuel, which has remained stubbornly high, has also begun to fall. Just over a month ago the government reported the U.S. had just a few weeks' supply of diesel on hand. Since then refiners have stepped up production.

The national average price of diesel is still over $5 a gallon but has declined by 18 cents a gallon in the last 30 days. Economists warned that if diesel fuel prices continued to rise it threatened to make it more expensive to deliver food and consumer goods, increasing inflation.

This holiday season, inflation has been top of mind for many consumers. The rising cost of day-to-day goods has made the financial burden of buying holiday gifts more stressful than usual. 

While recent studies have shown the lengths consumers will go to get every gift on their wish list, what about a vacation to Disney World? 

A new survey conducted by LendingTree asked over 1,550 consumers if they’d be willing to go into debt for their Disney vacation – and if they’d regret doing so. 

Perhaps the biggest findings from the survey was that 20% of respondents said they have gone into debt for a Disney vacation, while more than 70% of that group said they don’t regret their decision. 

“It’s no secret that a trip to a Disney park is expensive, but that is a price many Americans are willing to take on some debt to pay,” said Matt Schultz, LendingTree’s chief credit analyst. “That speaks to the power of Disney and is also further proof of just how many of us value experiences and memories that can come with them. 

“Taking on debt for such things can be okay, as long as it is done in moderation. However, doing it too often or to too big a degree can be a recipe for trouble.” 

What are the financial risks, and who’s willing to take them? 

The survey broke down the primary costs associated with a Disney vacation, as well as who is most susceptible to going into debt for their trip. 

According to Mouse Hacking, the price of flights, transportation to and from Disney World, a five-night stay at a Disney resort, five-day park tickets with a paid line-skipping service (Genie+), and a standard meal for a family of four (two adults, one child aged 3-9, and one child 10 or older) would cost $5,731 this year ($287 per person per night). 

However, by 2023, that price is anticipated to increase to $316 per person per night, making that same vacation over $6,300. 

The study identified which groups were most likely to go into debt for their Disney vacations: six-figure earners (26%), parents with children under 18 (30%), and millennials (27%).

However, members of these same groups were also the most likely to use discounts to fund their trips – 49% of six-figure earners, 51% of parents with young children, and 50% of millennials. 

According to participants who have gone into debt for a Disney trip, the top three things that cost more than anticipated were park concessions, admission tickets, and hotels. 

A budget can help

With over 71% of the participants in debt from their Disney trips having no regrets about how they spent their money, the survey revealed that quickly making payments could be the reason. Eighty percent of participants said they’d pay off their Disney debt in under six months. 

However, for those who aren’t looking to add to their debt, LendingTree did offer some budgeting tips. 

For starters, utilizing credit card rewards – whether that’s for airfare, hotels, or other vacation-related purchases – can help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Experts also recommend opening a 0% balance transfer credit card if possible, which will cut interest out of all of your payments, and make it easier – and faster – to pay off debt. 

Lastly, they suggest over-budgeting. While it’s hard to know exactly how much you’ll speed on food and drinks every day, targeting your budget higher than you expect can help you enjoy your vacation without breaking the bank. 

There are also several Disney blogs that help travelers make the most of their stay on a budget. Sites like MagicGuides.com, MouseEarMemories.com, and DisneyTouristBlog.com, among countless others, provide resources for Disneygoers to travel affordably. 

Imposter scams take many forms, and perhaps because of that, they have become one of the most common ways fraudsters try to separate unsuspecting people from their money.

Here are just a few imposter scams consumers should be aware of, as reported by the Federal Trade Commission:

• Someone claims to be from your local utility and threatens to shut off service unless you pay

• Someone claims to be from the IRS

• Someone claims to be from the Social Security Administration

• Someone claims to be a police officer threatening you with arrest unless you pay

• Someone claims to be from Microsoft Tech Support saying they need to take control of your computer

You get the picture. 

Knowing the red flags is a good defense. For example, knowing that the IRS doesn’t call taxpayers, or that Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and other major companies don’t either, will help you recognize these schemes for what they are.

When it’s not so obvious

When a scam isn’t so obvious, checking the caller’s number is another good way to reveal who is actually placing the call. Truthfinder is a background check service that provides many different functions.

A useful one for sniffing out scams is its reverse phone number lookup service. If the caller claims to be from UPS but the number shows it's a personal cellphone then you know you’re dealing with a scammer.

Whether the contact is a phone call or a text, the company says consumers can search any U.S.-based phone number to access a phone report that pulls data from public records. Reports may have the name connected to the number, whether it's cellular or landline, and may even have additional information. 

“We continue to work on our tools that can help our customers avoid text message scams that are so often prevalent during the holidays”, Erica Deforge-Zarza, affiliate manager at TruthFinder, told ConsumerAffairs. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping has skyrocketed along with text message scammers. According to the FCC, package delivery scams usually start with a text message pretending to be USPS, UPS, and Amazon. The texts include a fake 'parcel tracking link'; when the link is clicked, it prompts the user to enter their personal information.” 

The information about whether the call is being placed from a cellphone or a landline may be particularly helpful since big companies don’t allow the use of personal cellphones.

While Amazon has been prepping shoppers for the holiday season for months now, its Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales were expected to be the main events of the big holiday shopping weekend. 

Now, with five days of sales in the rearview mirror, Amazon is reporting that hundreds of millions of products were purchased over Thanksgiving weekend. 

“This was a record-breaking holiday shopping weekend for Amazon,” said Doug Herrington, CEO, WW, Amazon Stores. “Customers shopped millions of deals this weekend and we have many more amazing deals to come.” 

Holiday shopping – and savings – aren’t over

Despite the big shopping days having come and gone, it’s not too late for consumers to cross everyone off their gift lists – and save money while doing so. 

Amazon said it will release new deals on potential gifts every day for the remainder of the holiday season. Everything from air fryers, clothing, and wireless headphones will continue to be discounted over the coming weeks. 

If you’re struggling to find the perfect gift, Amazon has curated several gift guides to make shopping easier. There are lists for fashion, popular internet items, home goods, most-loved gifts, stocking stuffers, and electronics. 

Amazon’s Holiday Gift Guide has also been ongoing throughout the holiday season. Shoppers can sort gift ideas by age or gender, and also get gifting tips from social media influencers.

Additionally, consumers can search through Amazon’s gift card inventory, which includes Amazon gift cards, as well as options from other leading retailers, such as DoorDash, Apple, Google Play, Bath & Body Works, and more.  

Easy returns, faster deliveries

While there’s still plenty of time to order gifts and receive them in time for the holidays, Amazon has rolled out new delivery – and return – options for customers this holiday season. 

In terms of shipping, shoppers can now choose items to be delivered either same-day or one-day shipping. Currently, there are hundreds of thousands of items that can be delivered to consumers’ homes in just a few hours, while over 20 million items can be shipped in just one day. 

Same-day shipping is currently available in more than 90 metro areas across the country, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Seattle, Miami, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Washington D.C., as well as other major cities. 

The return process has also been updated, making the process easier – and valid for much longer. Now, any items bought between October 11, 2022, and December 25, 2022, will be eligible for return through January 31, 2023. 

Returns are free to process, and shoppers can now drop off any items for return – with no label or package – in person. Local Kohl’s, UPS Stores, and Whole Foods are currently accepting Amazon returns.