CONSUMER NEWS
Florida among highest-ranking states for debt collection calls, FTC says
Read full article: Florida among highest-ranking states for debt collection calls, FTC saysThe Federal Trade Commission says that Florida is one of the highest-ranking states for debt collection calls. At least 31,000 Floridians have filed complaints about these calls that are persistent and sometimes even aggressive.
After wedding venue’s abrupt closure leaves couples out thousands, St. Augustine salon rallies community to help
Read full article: After wedding venue’s abrupt closure leaves couples out thousands, St. Augustine salon rallies community to helpThe abrupt closure of Chez L’Amour in St. Augustine left couples who paid thousands to book rehearsal dinners at the restaurant scrambling for alternatives for their upcoming weddings.
Was your child’s seat in a crash?
Read full article: Was your child’s seat in a crash?After a car crash, most of us know to check for injuries and damage to our vehicles. But what about your child’s car seat? Consumer Reports’ own car seat safety expert found herself asking that same question, and her experience could help other parents.
Lead could be hiding in your bubble tea, Consumer Reports finds
Read full article: Lead could be hiding in your bubble tea, Consumer Reports findsMaybe you’ve seen those colorful cups with oversized straws, filled with a sweet drink and chewy little pearls. Bubble tea, or boba, has become a favorite, especially with young people. But new safety tests from Consumer Reports show the popular drink may come with a hidden serious concern: lead.
Going solar? Do it now to save money before solar tax credits evaporate
Read full article: Going solar? Do it now to save money before solar tax credits evaporateIf you’ve been thinking about getting solar panels, now might be the time to do it. There was a change in the law. And now, you only have a few months left to take advantage of the solar tax credit.
Consumer Reports conducted tests of 16 popular toddler towers amid safety concerns. Here’s what it found
Read full article: Consumer Reports conducted tests of 16 popular toddler towers amid safety concerns. Here’s what it foundWith guard rails and other safety features designed to prevent falls, toddler towers are marketed as a safer alternative to a chair or stepstool. But reports of kids falling out or tipping over in the towers surfaced.
How to help your electronics ‘weather’ the storm
Read full article: How to help your electronics ‘weather’ the stormSevere weather can strike with little warning—bringing high winds, downed power lines, and sudden outages. That can put your expensive electronics at risk of serious damage. Consumer Reports reveals some simple steps to help protect your devices when the power goes out.
Florida has 3rd most debt collection calls in the nation. Here’s how to handle the calls and get help
Read full article: Florida has 3rd most debt collection calls in the nation. Here’s how to handle the calls and get helpFlorida is ranked third in the nation with the most debt collection calls, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Here are some ways to handle the calls and get help.
Turn your fall finances into festive funds and plan ahead for holiday shopping
Read full article: Turn your fall finances into festive funds and plan ahead for holiday shoppingIt might feel too early to start holiday shopping, but actually, this is the perfect time to get your finances in order, and we've got some advice from the experts that could help you save big!
No, the CFPB is not handing out cash to people scammed on Zelle or Cash App, Consumer Reports warns
Read full article: No, the CFPB is not handing out cash to people scammed on Zelle or Cash App, Consumer Reports warnsFree money from Zelle or Cash App—just for filling out a government form? That’s what some TikTok videos claim. But Consumer Reports has a warning: it’s not a windfall—it’s simply not true.
Was your child’s seat in a crash?
Read full article: Was your child’s seat in a crash?After a car crash, most of us know to check for injuries and damage to our vehicles. But what about your child’s car seat? Consumer Reports’ own car seat safety expert found herself asking that same question, and her experience could help other parents.
Lead could be hiding in your bubble tea, Consumer Reports finds
Read full article: Lead could be hiding in your bubble tea, Consumer Reports findsMaybe you’ve seen those colorful cups with oversized straws, filled with a sweet drink and chewy little pearls. Bubble tea, or boba, has become a favorite, especially with young people. But new safety tests from Consumer Reports show the popular drink may come with a hidden serious concern: lead.
MORE CONSUMER HEADLINES
How to spot a scam as you apply for scholarships, financial aid
Read full article: How to spot a scam as you apply for scholarships, financial aidThe start of a new school year means thinking ahead to college for many high schoolers. If you’re applying for scholarships, some of those deadlines are quickly approaching. Scholarship scams are on the rise. How to spot a scammer
Americans would save $100B if credit card rates were capped as Trump proposed, researchers say
Read full article: Americans would save $100B if credit card rates were capped as Trump proposed, researchers sayA new paper from Vanderbilt University suggests Americans could save about $100 billion annually if credit card interest rates were capped at 10%, as proposed by President Donald Trump.
E-bike 101: Consumer Reports reveals top picks that won’t put the brakes on your budget
Read full article: E-bike 101: Consumer Reports reveals top picks that won’t put the brakes on your budgetElectric bikes—or e-bikes— can make riding a bike a breeze. But buying a new e-bike might not be so easy on your budget -- with some models costing over $10,000! Consumer Reports is here to help, breaking down the options and revealing top picks from its latest tests.
Experts say 30% of reviews are fake: How to tell the real from the phony
Read full article: Experts say 30% of reviews are fake: How to tell the real from the phonyIn an era where 92% of consumers read reviews before buying, that little star rating can make or break a purchase. But experts say 30% of reviews may be fake. Knowing all that, how can you spot a legit review?
FTC recovers $6.7M for victims of deceptive job listing
Read full article: FTC recovers $6.7M for victims of deceptive job listingThe FTC says the gig working company “Arise Virtual Solutions” targeted people looking for work-from-home side hustles and promised pay of up to $18 an hour. In reality, the FTC says, the jobs paid far less.
New Uber feature focuses on making women feel safe using app
Read full article: New Uber feature focuses on making women feel safe using appUber's "Women Preferences" allows women to request female drivers. The new option comes as Uber has long grappled with preventing sexual assault on its platform.
Ready to try sleep supplements? Read this first
Read full article: Ready to try sleep supplements? Read this firstIf you’re having trouble sleeping, you are not alone. According to a nationally representative Consumer Reports survey, only 43% of us would describe our sleep quality as good or very good.
Politics & Power: Are the Trump administration’s DOGE efforts truly improving efficiency or is it all an illusion?
Read full article: Politics & Power: Are the Trump administration’s DOGE efforts truly improving efficiency or is it all an illusion?Attorney Max Stier, who is president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, joins News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton as they ask whether DOGE’s actions are indeed ill-conceived and chaotic, if there is “efficiency” in DOGE, and what will the cost of DOGE cuts be for the American economy and everyday Americans.
What the cluck? Want to learn how to start your own chicken farm? Here’s how
Read full article: What the cluck? Want to learn how to start your own chicken farm? Here’s howFrom scrambled eggs to Sunday roasts, more families are trading fluorescent aisles and rising food costs for fresh, homegrown alternatives—starting with chickens.
What you need to know now that interest on student loans has started again
Read full article: What you need to know now that interest on student loans has started againInterest has started up again for millions of borrowers, and for many, the first step is figuring out where their loans stand. Consumer Reports breaks down what to do and how to stay on track.
Jacksonville seafood company recalls frozen raw shrimp over possible radioactive contamination
Read full article: Jacksonville seafood company recalls frozen raw shrimp over possible radioactive contaminationA Jacksonville seafood company voluntarily recalled a frozen raw shrimp product over possible radioactive contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In Jacksonville, new construction is emerging as the more affordable path to homeownership
Read full article: In Jacksonville, new construction is emerging as the more affordable path to homeownershipA new report from Realtor.com shows the price gap between new construction and existing homes has fallen to a record low, and Jacksonville is among the metro areas seeing some of the steepest declines in new-home list prices.
More people are tapping their phones instead of swiping cards to pay. Here’s how to protect your digital wallet
Read full article: More people are tapping their phones instead of swiping cards to pay. Here’s how to protect your digital walletFrom groceries to gas, more people are tapping their phones instead of swiping cards to pay. But what happens if that phone goes missing or falls into the wrong hands? Consumer Reports tells you how to protect your money when using a digital wallet.
The cost of daycare is surging in Florida and parents are faced with a difficult decision: work or stay home?
Read full article: The cost of daycare is surging in Florida and parents are faced with a difficult decision: work or stay home?As some parents take their children back to school, others are sending their younger children to daycare — and it is expensive.
New data signals higher prices are on the way for consumers amid tariffs
Read full article: New data signals higher prices are on the way for consumers amid tariffsNew data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that consumers could be staring down higher prices in the future. The latest Producer Price Index, which measures the average change in prices paid to producers, jumped 0.9% from June, bringing the annual rate to 3.3%.
Freshmen move in Friday at UNF amid growing demand for housing
Read full article: Freshmen move in Friday at UNF amid growing demand for housingThe need for more student housing in Jacksonville is hitting the University of North Florida hard, but the school is spotlighting part of the solution on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Osprey Ridge dorm hall.