Current Events in February 2024

The window to get your Valentine’s gift ordered and on your doorstep is getting shorter by the day. And if you order from a retailer that promises that you’ll get your item in time, you could be running a risk, says the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The agency says that by law, sellers have to ship your order within the time they say they’ll ship. 

“If they don’t give a specific time, your order must ship within 30 days. When shipping will be delayed, the seller has to let you know about it,” Cristina Miranda, consumer education specialist at the FTC notes. “Sellers also have to give you the choice to either accept the delay or cancel your order for a  full refund.”

Anytime you shop online

Miranda says the first thing you’ll want to do is research the seller. Go high and low – search the company online, looking for the company’s name alongside the words “reviews,” “complaints,” or “scams” that your fellow consumers may have posted.

Then, go a little deeper and read the seller’s refund and return policies carefully. Why on a simple thing like a Valentine’s Day gift?

“Sellers often have different refund and return policies, and dishonest sellers will use tricky disclosures and fine print to deny refund requests,” Miranda said. That’s why.

You’ve also got protection if you use a credit card and not a debit card, gift card, or store credit. In comparison to other forms of payment, credit cards offer the most protection against fraud, including the right to dispute charges.

The moment you order something, start a paper trail, and don’t throw away anything – not your receipts and not confirmation emails.

“If something goes wrong, these can help you get your money back from the seller or file a dispute with your credit card company,” was Miranda’s last suggestion.

Given that we’re getting close to mid-February, the windows on good airfares for spring break trips are starting to close. 

KAYAK told ConsumerAffairs that the sweet spot for booking domestic spring break trips in March is one to six weeks from your travel date. If April is your spring break, again, one to six weeks from your travel date for domestic flights. International? Sorry, but that window has probably closed.

For those who have not yet booked, it could take some searching, but it is still possible to find deals. Various airlines, hotels, and cruise lines are offering Spring Break deals, with roundtrip flights starting in the low $60s and hotel deals starting at $16 per night in various cities. 

As we said, it's important to act quickly, as these offers are often time-sensitive and availability may be limited. Additionally, travelers should be aware of blackout dates and other restrictions that may apply to discounted fares. Read the fine print and make sure you understand every little nuance of any deal you find.

Your best bet may be a…

Cruise! There are indeed some good prices on spring break cruises available. For instance, a 4-night sail to The Bahamas onboard MSC Magnifica starts at approximately $319 per person for the April 1 departure, and there's a $399 cruise on Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles to Baja Mexico for the following week 

Additionally, cruise lines are offering various discounts and incentives during the wave season, which runs up to March, and maybe past that in some cases.

One example is Holland American Line which is discounting fares up to 40% and throwing in free stateroom upgrades, reduced fares for kids, 50% reduced deposit, and $400 onboard credit through February. 

There are also wave season offers from Princess Cruises, including a seven-day Alaska cruise starting at $399 per person. 

Super Bowl games always attract a lot of celebrities, but for Super Bowl LVIII there may be more celebrities in the commercials than in the stands. Every brand, it seems, found one or more celebrities to help sell its products.

“Friends” stars Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer reunited in an Uber Eats ad while David and Victoria Beckham also appear in a spot for the food delivery service. Aubrey Plaza and Nick Offerman, co-stars from “Parks and Recreation,” teamed up to praise Mountain Dew.

M&M had plenty of star power with Scarlett Johanssen, backed up by former NFL stars Dan Marino, Terrell Owens and Bruce Smith. Marino also appears in a Michelob Ultra ad with soccer sensation Leo Messi.

BMW tapped Christopher Walken to extoll the virtues of its luxury cars while Skechers brought back 1980s celebrity Mr. T to help CBS broadcaster Tony Romo sell slip-on sneakers.

History lesson

Oreo cookies take viewers on a trip through history, showing how the course of world events might have been altered through the use of a decision-making aid called “twist on it.” By twisting the cookie apart, a decision is influenced by whichever side of the cookie has the cream.

Star power

People love to hate Tom Brady but he takes it so good-naturedly. Seven Super Bowl rings and a mountain of money probably make him less sensitive to criticism. 

BetMGM plays on that with this spot, teaming Brady with hockey great Wayne Gretzky and comedian Vince Vaugh, in which Brady has already won more than his fair share and is excluded from the blackjack table.

State Farm also harnesses star power by enlisting Arnold Schwarzenegger for a new action movie, starring as Agent State Farm. The company released the first of the two-parter before the game but is keeping the finale under wraps. Here’s part one.

Funniest

Okay, humor is subjective. That said, Paramount+’s commercial featuring Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Peppa Pig, the CBS Sports broadcast crew and a transformer was just weird enough to strike our funny bone. But you be the judge.

The ETrade babies are back for another Super Bowl appearance but their 2024 commercial seemed to have lost a step when compared to earlier spots. Tina Fay’s commercial for Booking.com shows her many sides, but she’s ultimately upstaged by Glenn Close.

The NFL is expecting a record audience for Super Bowl LVIII, especially since the Kansas City Chiefs and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend are in the game. With a 30-second ad going for around $7 million pop, it could also be a record haul for CBS, the network airing the game.

Presidents’ Day is right around the corner, and for many consumers that means it’s time to make the most of the sales that are hitting stores in the coming days. 

So, what can consumers expect from these sales? Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst from DealNews.com, shared the ins and outs of all things Presidents’ Day sales with ConsumerAffairs. 

Best and worst buys

Ahead of the sales, it’s important for consumers to know what’s worth their money and what’s not. Ramhold shared her top three best and worst buys, which include: 

Best: 

• Mattresses: “This is one of the most popular items in Presidents' Day sales, so if you're looking for a new bed, this is the holiday to do it,” Ramhold said. “In general, we expect retailers like Macy's and Home Depot to take anywhere from 40%-60% off select mattresses, while mattress-specific stores could cut up to $750 off or more depending on the size you're shopping, as well as offer bonus perks like extra discounts on accessories, or outright freebies like two pillows with select purchases.” 

• Major appliances: “If you need a new washer and dryer, or want to upgrade your entire kitchen, Presidents' Day sales are a great time to shop and save,” said Ramhold. “Most often, stores like Best Buy, Lowe's, and Home Depot will provide discounts up to 40% off, but appliance-specific stores could discount purchases even more. It's also worth checking local shops to see if they're offering better deals than national chains or perks that make their prices worth it to your situation.”

• Winter clothes: “As the season is quickly winding down for many, retailers are trying to clear shelves to make room for spring items. It's safe to expect discounts ranging from 30% to 60% off or so, but some stores will likely have even better discounts, so it's worth taking a look at all your favorite clothing retailers over the weekend to see what kinds of discounts you can find. It's a great time to pick up a new coat, boots, or other wintry items, but also clothing made for rugged outdoor activities. Be sure to see what kinds of offers REI, Patagonia, and Columbia have on tap if you're looking for a new outdoor-friendly wardrobe as well.”

Ramhold is encouraging consumers to hold off on purchasing grills, patio furniture, and spring clothes. With the warmer months coming up, many retailers wait until July 4th to discount these items. 

Maximizing savings 

To save even more money during the sales, Ramhold shared her top three saving tips: 

• Make a list. This will help you prioritize the most important purchases without overspending. 

• Use cashback apps and extensions. Apps like Rakuten allow you to earn cash back by shopping at your favorite stores. For holidays, the rate of cashback is typically higher, which means even if a store is having a lackluster sale, you can still earn a good portion back and end up saving more.

• Not all deals are good deals! “Yes, it's the first big shopping holiday of the year, but not everything on sale will be worth adding to your cart. Be sure to do your research beforehand to make sure you're actually getting at least a decent deal – if not the absolute best you can find,” Ramhold said. 

Tips for a successful shopping trip

If you have plans to have a big shopping weekend, Ramhold is offering her best tips for consumers – regardless of your budget. 

• See items in person: “Try to see big ticket items in person. If you're shopping online, try to see it in person first to make sure that you know what you're getting and that it suits your needs.”

• Be specific about what you want and what you can afford: “This is a good way to stay on budget and avoid being lured in by fancy features you don't need and won't ever use.”

• Have backups in mind: “Presidents' Day sales can be a great time to shop for big-ticket items, but if you have specific models in mind and those don't go on sale, you shouldn't settle for something you don't want just because it’s discounted. By having backups in mind, you'll be able to pivot to another choice if your top pick doesn't drop to the price you want.”

Trader Joe's of Monrovia, Calif., is recalling all lots of the following products:

• Trader Joe's Chicken Enchiladas Verde (SKU 58292)
• Trader Joe's Cilantro Salad Dressing (SKU 36420)
• Trader Joe's Elote Chopped Salad Kit (SKU 74768)
• Trader Joe's Southwest Salad (SKU 56077)

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but discard or return them to any Trader Joe's for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Trader Joe's at (626) 599-3817 Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 5:00 pm (PT).

If you had $10,000 you wanted to invest, would you seek advice from a Richie Rich or Scrooge McDuck comic book? Likewise, if you were concerned about how you’re feeling physically, would you take to social media or ChatGPT for the answer?

Medical professionals are concerned you might, and they want to have a little doctor-patient chat with you.

ChatGPT – as ConsumerAffairs found out recently – is a big mistake, but it’s social media that could be creating a monumental health crisis. 

A study by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that one-third of the most popular cancer treatment articles online contain misinformation. Additionally, more than half of the top 100 most popular YouTube videos about ADHD had misleading information about the disorder.

Add to that, weight loss claims like the one promoting a magnetic bracelet for weight loss -- claims that were debunked by fact-checking organizations and health experts as having no scientific evidence.

True, these figures are not a comprehensive percentage of all YouTube advice videos that give out false information, but they do indicate that misinformation is a prevalent issue on the platform.

“In the digital age, where information is just a click away, social media has become a significant source of health-related information for many people. However, this convenience comes with a drawback,” writes Zara Nwosu, a self-described wellness enthusiast, for Medriva. 

“The prevalence of medical misinformation on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok is increasingly concerning. This misinformation is spreading at an alarming speed and scale, raising questions about the effect on public health and whether these platforms are equipped to address this issue.”

YouTube decides to address the issue

YouTube, for one, doesn’t like being lumped along with the others and has taken steps to address medical misinformation. It's partnering with reputable health organizations to create "First Aid Information Shelves" and prioritizing credible instructional how-to videos for handling emergencies. Those topics include:

• CPR

• Choking/Heimlich

• Bleeding

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Seizure

• Opioid overdose

Don’t get sucked in

However, despite these efforts, the spread of medical misinformation remains a concern, as highlighted by Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and columnist for the Washington Post's Ask a Doctor section.

Answering a reader's question about social media-driven medical advice, she says this: “When you come across a health trend on social media, I suggest approaching it with some skepticism. There’s so much misinformation online, and I’ve seen plenty of people get caught up in fads that make doctors like me cringe.

“But at the same time, I understand the allure. Health trends are often pushed by influencers with some kind of health care, biology or nutrition background. They can make something dubious seem logical by walking you through data and concepts that appear rooted in science, sprinkling in buzzwords like ‘microbiome’ or ‘inflammation’ and referencing medical studies.”

And watch out for the 'supplements' onslaught

Pasricha also worries that 2024 is going supplement wild. You’re likely to see all-the-rage social media posts about Vitamin D, B12, magnesium, turmeric, and St. John's Wort – all of which can interact with medications and some may lack regulation.

Also, watch out for juice cleanses. She says those are unhealthy in the long run and lack fiber, cause blood sugar spikes, and therefore are not a detox. The better option there is to eat whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, lean meats, and whole grains.

There are three extreme fads that could make things ugly, too:

• IV vitamin therapy

• Colonics and wellness enemas

• Full-body MRIs

“Companies offering full-body MRIs claim the scans can detect hundreds of medical conditions, including cancer,” she notes. “But if you feel otherwise healthy, there’s no proven benefit to getting one. The MRIs are expensive — costing anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars out-of-pocket — and are not usually covered by insurance. They may also lead to unnecessary stress and testing.”

How? Here’s where it gets scary.

“Suppose you’re healthy and don’t smoke, but get a full-body MRI. The scan might identify a nodule that appears intermediate-risk for something scary like cancer, so you decide to nail down the diagnosis with an invasive biopsy. During that biopsy, you suffer a complication such as a punctured lung, which gets you hospitalized with a chest tube,” she said.

“But the whole time, the nodule was just a small benign scar caused by an old lung infection. This scenario can play out in a hundred ways that all doctors have seen.”

Is sleeping with your pet a good thing or a complete no-no? Animal experts say it’s not exactly an open and shut case.

Jacqueline Boyd, a senior lecturer in Animal Science at Nottingham Trent University, says that sharing your living spaces with a pet is one thing, but sharing beds is a much more personal proposition. 

“While it might be enjoyable and relaxing to share resting time with your pet, it could come with risks to pet and human health, not to mention impacts on sleep hygiene and human relationships too,” she writes.

Sleep – a dog with two heads

And if you’re having insomnia issues, Boyd said the risks may go higher.

“One challenge of sharing your bed with your pet could be disturbed sleep. The movement of sleeping partners -- two or four-legged -- may lead to reduced sleep efficiency,” she said.

If sleep disturbance affects your well-being, encouraging your pet to sleep elsewhere within the bedroom could also be beneficial. The same applies to our pets, so it may be beneficial for them to have their own sleeping space as well.

However, Boyd says that depending on the person, the pet, and the situation, things could change.

For example, if you have a bed large enough to accommodate everyone, that issue loses some of its steam. 

She also says that another possible positive is that pets can offer companionship, security – and if you get one big and wooly enough – even some warmth.

“More than 80% of dogs examined in studies preferred to be close to people at night, suggesting another mutual benefit,” she noted. “Different species of pets also appear to spend time resting together, so if you have a multi-pet household, all might enjoy shared sleeping.”

Bed bugs

Pets and bugs aren’t exactly strangers and, sometimes, Fido may bring a flea, tick, mite, or lice into your bed and, once there, those parasites tend to wander under the covers in search of fresh flesh to irritate. 

Much of the harm a bed bug can do isn’t that troubling, but there are parasites that can lay eggs and make humans sick and bacteria, viruses, and fungi like antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA that is often fatal. You can even share infections with your pets, too – including COVID-19 – so it’s not all one-sided.

What breeds are the worst in this regard? One of Boyd’s peers – British vet Ben Simpson-Vernon, says that dachshunds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are among the unhealthiest dog breeds.

Allergies? Emotional issues?

“Sharing intimate contact with pets does raise the potential for increasing allergic responses or injury risk,” Boyd said, pointing to minor, unintentional injuries such as scratches.

And if your allergist’s pinpricks uncovered the fact that you might have issues with dust and dander, your pet’s hair could make that worse than you might like. 

Boyd brought up the point that just like we can grow emotionally dependent on our pets for comfort, some pets may also develop behavioral concerns such as separation anxiety as a result of sharing intimate spaces and prolonged contact with their human. 

Here, again, she draws another line in the sand. “Conversely, some owners choose to allow their pet access to sleeping areas to reduce problem behaviors such as door scratching or nighttime vocalizing,” a problem she suggests best handled with consistent training. 

'Cleaning up' your act

Boyd suggests that if your answers to all her concerns fall in the good column, do yourself one last favor: keep things clean!

Her bullet points to ensure a clean and safe sleep environment for both you and your pet, are:

Regular bedding changes:

• Everyone: Wash sheets weekly for a clean sleep. Pet owners: Launder bedclothes every 3-4 days to manage pet-related dirt and potential allergens.

Minimizing contamination:

• Pets are furry dirt magnets: Their paws, especially after walks, can harbor bacteria and parasites. Clean paws with pet wipes or a damp cloth upon returning indoors.

Grooming for health and happiness:

• Regular grooming and bathing will not only keep your pet clean and healthy but also strengthen your bond and minimize the spread of potential infections.

• Consult your vet about Antiparasitic treatments. They effectively control internal and external parasites, protecting you, your pet, and other furry friends.

Additional tips:

• Consider using a dedicated pet blanket on your bed.

• Vacuum your mattress regularly to remove pet hair and dust.

• Wash pet toys frequently.

• Maintain good hand hygiene after interacting with your pet and before bed.

“With good hygiene and management, the choice to share your sleep with your pet might just give you both a great night’s sleep,” she concluded.

TikTok may be the most unlikely place for consumers and car dealers to meet up, but that’s about to change.

As a recent NADA convention wrapped up, panelists took to a Live Stage session to share how car dealers are using the social media platform to their advantage.

It’s taken more than a year after TikTok rolled out its auto dealers “playbook,” but with TikTok trying to grow beyond its silly video stage, car dealerships are using the platform to showcase their inventory and engage with potential customers.

And this effort cuts both ways. By following and interacting with dealership accounts, consumers can stay informed about special promotions, discounts, or contests that may be exclusive to TikTok users.

During the NADA Live Stage session, panelists explored how car dealers are leveraging TikTok to drive sales. However, they warned auto dealers not to get too cool for the room. Stick to engaging storytelling, do behind-the-scenes looks at the dealership and collaborate with influencers and creators.

Drake Baerresen, vice president & CMO at TurnKey Marketing, advised, “Don’t overthink it,” suggesting that dealers start with content they think is interesting – test drive reviews, new models, technology and other features, and accessories – and stick with that. 

Shake it off!

As it just so happens, there are lots of TikTok’ers working to the auto buyer’s advantage, too. One TikTok’er whose videos are dominating  #carbuyingtips and other hashtags is @reddne, a one-time car salesperson who decided to spill the beans on her former career. In one of her videos on how to cut a better deal, she advises consumers to watch what they say and do when it comes to talking about their trade-in.

For one thing, never tell a dealership what you want, price-wise, out of your trade-in. She says consumers shouldn't tell the salesperson they have a trade-in until the price of the new car is exactly what they want because the dealership will offer a better price.

"There's a chance they were going to give you more but since you told them something less they're gonna go with the lesser," she explained to viewers.

Another is don’t take the bait if a salesperson starts pointing out things that are “wrong” with your vehicle.

"When they walk around your trade-in, they're going to quietly touch little dents and dings, that way they can get you to tell on yourself so when they give you a lowball offer, they can use that against you," she said

And then there’s the head shake-along. She says that the salesperson might try to get you to nod affirmatively to questions like “Wouldn’t heated seats be great when the weather is cold?” 

One trick that most consumers don’t realize exists is that they actually have the ability to cut their own deal when it comes to the interest rate.

"The bank is going to give them one interest rate and they can easily go in and up the percentage just so they can make money off of you," she said.

"The finance guys are going to try to get you to buy their warranty because they're going to make money off of you.

"But you can use that to your advantage, 'I'm going to buy the warranty if you give me a lower interest rate.’”

@reddnea Replying to @live.laugh.love.90 part 3?? (also beware of the dealers popping up in the comments lol) #carbuyingtips#car#dealership#newcar#hacks#beware#fyp#reply♬ original sound - kaitlynd!

Car dealer “bait and switch” TikTok scams reported

Vladimir Supica at The Daily Dot recently reported that shady auto sellers are hip to TikTok’s auto buying uptick and using the platform to use tactics such as the bait-and-switch – something the FTC recently got serious about – where a dealership may advertise a great offer to lure customers in and then attempt to sell them a different, more expensive vehicle. 

One TikTok user – Nilsa (@nilsaprowant) –  went public with her experience to help others identify and avoid such scams.

Nilsa said that it all started when she had a service appointment and got a call from the dealership about an hour before she was due to take her car in. The caller told Nilsa that they had someone interested in buying her car—and offered her a newer car for a cheaper price.

Nilsa was interested in the offer because she was searching for a more affordable vehicle. But, alas, when she arrived at the dealership, she was told that the specific car she wanted to see had already been sold. And, you guessed it – a more expensive car was offered instead. 

She wasn’t having anything to do with the ‘ol “we’re interested in your car” trick and told the dealership “I definitely want a cheaper car. I’m not buying brand new,” to which the worker responded, “You know what, we just don’t have anything.”

@nilsaprowant

Is this really a trick they do to get you to buy a new car?

♬ original sound - Nilsa

“This isn’t the first time car dealerships have been criticized on the video-sharing platform,” The Daily Dot’s Vladimir Supica said. In October of 2023, car salesmen went viral for sharing what you should never say at a dealership. In October of 2022, another creator went viral with similar bait-and-switch scam allegations.”

It’s that time of year again when love is in the air. As Valentine’s Day gets closer, scammers spring into action with a chocolate box full of different schemes.

Among the most common are romance scams. This is when a lonely person is approached on social media and an online relationship quickly blooms. In all honesty, those contacts probably began in early January, with the trap set to spring by Feb. 14, or soon thereafter.

In most cases, the scammer will advance the relationship very quickly and, at some point ask for money. It might be a small amount at first but the requests will continue until the heartbroken victim realizes it’s a scam.

In a related “romance” scam, Trend Micro reports a scammer pretends to be a girl who would like to have a fun conversation with someone. However, if the victim clicks the button in the email body, it will redirect them to a sex/dating site. The Trend Micro research team found 253 logs from Jan 17-24.

Shopping scams

The ConsumerAffairs-Trend Micro Threat Alert has also picked up on a growing number of Valentine’s Day shopping scams. This year, scammers are using a 50% discount for jewelry as bait to lure victims into purchasing it as a Valentine’s Day present on a fake shopping one-page website. The Trend Micro research team detected 32,203 logs from Jan 24-31.

“Valentine’s Day is a big holiday for scammers as many consumers look to buy items for their loved ones,” said Jon Clay, vice president of Threat Intelligence at Trend Micro.

“Trend Micro has already seen over 32,000 instances of a scam offering 50% discount on jewelry and using a fake shopping site to steal victims’ personal information and credit card information.  Consumers should be extra vigilant during this holiday and be cautious of unsolicited emails or texts with great deals on shopping items.”

In the last few months, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled several different types of eye drops, for everything from unsanitary production facilities, to increased risk of infection, and vision-threatening infections. 

Now, the agency is once again urging consumers to watch out for three types of eye drops that are serving as copycats for Bausch + Lomb’s Lumify drops. Lumify is a popular eye drop used for eye redness. However, the drops mentioned in the FDA’s warning claim to treat glaucoma, which requires either prescription eye drops or surgery. 

The FDA is warning consumers about three brands: South Moon, Rebright, and FivFivGo. The agency explained that these brands aren’t eligible for sale in the U.S. and using them could lead to eye infections. 

Additionally, the packaging of these brands is nearly identical to the Lumify drops. The bottles have the same gray and purple coloring, and the boxes feature the same image of an eye. Some of the fakes even include Bausch + Lomb labeling. 

Risk of infection

While the FDA was unable to obtain samples of the FivFivGo drops, the agency tested samples of both the Rebright and the South Moon eye drops, and the latter was found to be contaminated with bacteria. 

“The South Moon eye drops were contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia complex, a group of bacteria that could result in antibiotic-resistant infection,” the agency wrote. “While Rebright testing was negative for contamination, FDA recommends consumers not use this product." 

In testing both South Moon and Rebright drops, the FDA also learned that both brands were missing a key ingredient that is used to relieve redness – brimonidine tartrate, which is the active ingredient in the Lumify drops. 

As a rule of thumb, the agency urges consumers to “only buy eye products from reputable retailers such as state-licensed pharmacies, and beware of online retailers selling products with false claims.” 

So far, the FDA has received complaints about eye drops that could be Lumify fakes. Consumers have reported quality concerns, eye irritation, pain, and infection, though none of these brands have been mentioned by name in the reports. 

Any issues with these eye drops can be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

After an uproar from consumers claiming its “Date Night Pass” promotion wasn’t large enough and went too quickly to satisfy the interest of all its fans, Applebee’s has hit the reset button.

The company said the promotion proved that its guests are hungry for the idea and is going to offer 1,000 additional Date Night Passes which will be made available for purchase via a random drawing. ​

Customers will be able to register to participate in a random drawing for a chance to purchase a pass from Feb. 5 – 9  via Applebees.com/DateNightPass. Those 1,000  lucky Applebee's fans drawn will be notified with details to purchase (for $200) on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2024. 

Snap of Santa Monica, Calif., is recalling about 71,000 lithium-ion batteries sold for Pixy Flying Cameras

The camera's lithium-ion battery can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

The firm has received four reports of the battery overheating and bulging, resulting in one minor battery fire and one minor injury.

This recall involves the rechargeable lithium-ion battery sold with the pocket-sized Pixy Flying Camera.

The battery was sold separately and paired with the Pixy, which takes pictures and videos and measures about five inches long by four inches wide.

The Pixy and battery are both yellow, and the battery measures about three inches long and half an inch wide.

The batteries, manufactured in China, were sold online at Pixy.com and Amazon.com from May 2022, through December 2023, for between $185 and $250 for the Pixy Flying Camera or “Flight Pack” bundle, between $40 and $50 for the extra charger/battery, and between $16 and $20 for the battery sold separately.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the Pixy Flying Camera, remove the battery and stop charging it, and then visit www.pixy.com for instructions on how to participate in the recall, receive a refund of the purchase price, and dispose of the battery in accordance with local and state regulations.

The Pixy flying camera and other Pixy accessories are also separately eligible for a refund of the purchase price.

Consumers may contact Snap’s recall hotline at (800) 269-6990 24 hours a day, by email at support@pixy.com or online at https://support.pixy.com/recall for more information.

Snap is contacting all known purchasers directly.

This Sunday, if you don’t have an antenna or a cable package and you want to watch the Super Bowl for free, you do have options.

CBS has the broadcast rights this year – its 21st Super Bowl if anyone is counting – and that gives most everyone in a Top 100 TV market easy access to the broadcast, either at home or at a local bar.

If you live outside a major metro, though, you should first try Paramount Plus. It's CBS’ parent company and it’s offering a free, one-week trial.

There’s no promo code required, and you can stream on various devices. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends if you do not wish to continue the service.

There’s also FuboTV’s free week-long trial that includes access to sports channels including the Super Bowl. Sign up now and remember to cancel after the game to avoid charges.

If you live right outside a major city, you could hurry over to Amazon and buy an Over-The-Air (OTA) Antenna for $25 or so. That way, if the nearest CBS station is within spittin’ distance, you’ll be able to watch it for free, the old-fashioned way. 

The last two options are DirecTV and Hulu+ Live TV. Both offer free trials that include access to the Super Bowl. Again, just cancel it after the game or a monthly subscription will show up on your credit card for sure.

One other word of warning

Make sure to take advantage of these offers promptly, as they may not be available on the day of the Super Bowl itself.