While consumers are being hit with raising prices, sellers are shrinking package contents. It’s “shrinkflation.” While some consumers are used to the fact that it’s hard to find a true quart or pint of ice cream, now those shrinking packages are appearing with toilet paper, cereal, and cookies.
As part of an uptick in the Consumer Movement in the 1970s, a federal safety agency – the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – was created. For the past five decades, the CPSC has worked to protect the American public from dangerous and deadly consumer products.
Target Corp. has agreed to pay about $5.4 to settle a lawsuit that alleged Target overcharged customers. The lawsuit was filed by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office along with district attorneys of Alameda, Marin, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Ventura, and San Diego counties.
Due to the war in Ukraine, consumers in the United States could experience impacts. They should be on the lookout for potential price gouging of fuel and other goods and services. And consumers should be aware that there may be cyberattacks.
Scammers are always lurking in the background. When a new disaster or event occurs, they fine-tune their toolkit. With the war in Ukraine, scammers are on the move. They know that millions of people want to support the Ukrainian people. They’re setting up fake charities that look and sound like real ones.
The Super Bowl ads for 2022 were mostly disappointing. Although a few had a good message, the overall feel of the game show was dystopian. A QR code drifting across the screen, ads for apps and betting websites I’d never heard of, and supposedly clever ads featuring stars from TV series I’ve never seen.
Recently, I wrote you could find deals on clothing, electronics, mattresses, home goods and furniture, and large appliances at Presidents’ Day sales. Ever hopeful, I went over to Best Buy to see if they had reduced prices for an iPhone 12 or a new Apple desktop.
California is investigating some businesses operating loyalty programs and notices have been sent out alleging they aren’t complying with consumer laws. Businesses that offer discounts or free items in exchange for personal information in California are required to provide a notice of financial incentive.
Americans are expected to lose even more money to romance scams in 2022. With Valentine’s Day coming up, scammers are at work now targeting those looking for love. In 2020, reported losses to romance scams reached a record $304 million, up about 50 percent from 2019. For an individual, that meant a median dollar loss of $2,500.
