Be sure to check out any DNA testing firms that you’re considering buying a test kit from. CRI Genetics made false claims on its websites and social media that its ancestry reports were more accurate and detailed than other DNA testing companies, such as Ancestry DNA and 23andMe, according to a joint lawsuit by two agencies. Read more →

Junk fees – those hidden and bogus charges that have found their way into a wide variety of transactions – are on consumers’ minds. After receiving more than 12,000 comments about how these fees impact consumers and businesses, the FTC announced on Oct. 11, a proposed rule on deceptive fees. It's now looking for further feedback. Read more →

It’s important to consumers to watch for announcements from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in addition to the agency’s recalls. The CPSC is warning consumers about the risk of fire from Toos Elite 60-volt electric scooters after two people died in a fire tied to the scooter’s lithium-ion battery. Read more →

On Thursday, I wrote about recent tests by Consumer Reports on high levels of lead and cadmium found in some milk chocolate products. Earlier tests last year by the advocacy organization found that a number of Hershey’s dark chocolate bars had some of the highest levels of lead or cadmium of all brands it tested.  Read more →

Cocoa-containing foods – such as cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and milk chocolate bars – contain concerning levels of cadmium or lead in a third of the products tested, according to Consumer Reports. The organization is calling on the Hershey Co. to step up its efforts to reduce the levels of heavy metals from its chocolate products after its latest tests. Read more →

Best Buy is recalling about 930,000 Insignia pressure cookers. Inaccurate volume markings inside the pot can cause overfilling, resulting in hot food and liquid erupting when the pressure cooker is opened, posing a burn risk to consumers. Best Buy has received 31 reports of the contents erupting, including 17 reports of burn injuries. Read more →

Most consumers don’t know what they’re getting into when they sign up for “buy now, pay later” arrangements. “BNPL lenders are making it easier for borrowers to use high-cost loans for everyday purchases,” said Peter Smith of the Center for Responsible Lending. “At the same time, they are trying mightily to hide the true costs and risks of these loans.” Read more →

Do research if you’re considering buying silver coins. Precious metals dealer Safeguard Metals LLC and Jeffrey Ikahn have settled a lawsuit that alleged they engaged in a $68 million fraudulent scheme that targeted the seniors. Between October 2017 and July 2021, Safeguard and Ikahn deceived more than 450 customers nationwide. Read more →

Fortress is recalling about 61,000 gun safes because the locks, opened with a fingerprint, can be accessed by unauthorized users. One of the reported breaches allegedly left a 12-year-old boy dead. Consumers think they’ve programmed the lock when it actually remains in the default to open mode, which can allow unauthorized users to access the safe. Read more →

After years of delays and despite intense lobbying by manufacturers, a federal safety agency finally adopted a window covering rule that eliminated the dangers from cords on custom window coverings in November 2022. However, almost immediately after the CPSC finalized the rule, manufacturers filed a lawsuit challenging the agency’s rule. Read more →