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The rearview camera image may be obstructed

April 25, 2024
Hyundai Motor America is recalling 18,206 model year 2024 Santa Fe SUVs.

The rearview camera image may be obstructed by a trailer parking assist message.

An obstructed rearview camera image reduces rearward visibility and increases the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Dealers will update the software for the rearview camera system free of charge.

Letters to owners notifying them of this recall are expected to be mailed by June 1, 2024.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 258.


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Debt levels are high but the payments as a percentage of income have been a lot higher

April 25, 2024

As inflation rose over the last three years, many consumers resorted to putting some daily expenses on credit cards, extending their balances. Thats been partly responsible for pushing household debt levels to record highs.

But credit cards actually make up a relatively small percentage of household debt when compared to mortgages, car loans and student loans. ConsumerAffairs researchers did a deep dive into the data to see who owes what.

Total household debt in the U.S. reached $17.5 trillion at the end of 2023. However, debt payments as a percentage of personal income stood at only 9.8%. Thats lower than historical averages.

ConsumerAffairs analysis of Federal Reserve data shows Americanshad run up $1.13 trillion in credit card debt by the end of 2023. That compares to $12.25 trillion in mortgage balances and $1.61 trillion in car loans.

When it comes to credit cards, the concern is less aboutthe total balance and more aboutthe interest rate borrowers pay. The average credit card interest rate is a record 27.90%, according to Forbes. A rate that high makes it very difficult to pay off the balance.

Demographic factors

The amount of debt a consumer has accumulated can vary significantly by age, race and other demographic characteristics. If you have children you are likely to have more debt.

The consumer organization Debt.org estimates that consumers with children have 14% to 51% more total debt than the national average. They also report that the lowest earners pay significantly more of their income toward debt than those in higher income brackets.

People between the ages of 40 and 49 have the most debt while those 18 to 29 years old have the least. People who are between 50 and 59 and nearing retirement have the second-lowest amount of debt.

And, none of this factors into the debt owed by the United States government, which has now reached a record $34.6 trillion. Given the total population of the U.S., that means the average citizens share of the national debt is more than $100,000.

You can find the full study here.


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Open sesame? No, just make sure its listed.

April 25, 2024

Barely a day goes by that ConsumerAffairs isnt writing about a food recall. In the last several months, lead-tainted applesauce has affected at least 500 children nationwide and cantaloupe contaminated with Salmonella has led to six fatalities and 400 illnesses.

And the list goes on and on, well into the hundreds. A new report just released by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Food for Thought 2024, finds that food and beverage recalls rose by 8% in 2023, the highest level the U.S. government has seen before the COVID-19 quarantine.

Food recalls often come as a result of allergens both declared and undeclared. There aredairy products, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish.

And then, theres sesame --an increasingly common allergen. Sesame is the ninth allergen that must be listed on food labels, as of 2023. However, many manufacturers have failed to disclose it on their labels, causing the number of undeclared allergens to increase 27% over 2022.

About a quarter of recalls happened because of Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli or contamination from other dangerous bacteria. Recalls caused by foreign objects such as glass, plastic or metal in the product dropped by 40% in 2023.

Most problems with food should be easy to avoid. Food producers and packagers just need to focus more on cleanliness and disclose allergens that could make people sick or kill them, said Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog at U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG).

'Baffling'

We should not have to worry about finding shards of metal and plastic or undeclared allergens in the food on our plates. Its baffling that manufacturers arent properly inspecting equipment, testing food and properly labeling packages before they end up on grocery store shelves.

Murray told ConsumerAffairs that theres a good chance that you or someone you know has had food poisoning in the last few years but didnt realize it unless they were sick enough to see a doctor.

It takes weeks, months or years to track down the source of food poisoning, Murray said. After a problem food is identified, recalls often take too long to issue because regulators cant mandate them. And when recalls are announced, consumers often dont find out about them in a timely fashion, if ever.

Everyone needs to do better: food producers, regulators and lawmakers, Murray said. We shouldnt have to worry that everything from soup to nuts could land us in the hospital.

There are two good ways to stay on top of food recalls. There arethe as-they-happen email notices from FoodAllergy.org and the daily recall emails from ConsumerAffairs. If food allergies are a concern for you or anyone in your household, it would be wise to sign up for both.


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Chewy Vet Care will open several locations across the country this year

April 25, 2024

Most pet owners know Chewy as a source for all things pet goods toys, treats, leashes, and even medication.

Now, Chewy is branching out to also provide veterinary services. The retailer announced it will launch vet clinics across the country known as Chewy Vet Care.

We partnered with hundreds of veterinarians and customers to design an in-practice and post-visit experience which we believe will be unlike anything in the market, and appreciated by both communities, said Mita Malhotra, president of Chewy Health. Our practices contain thoughtfully designed spaces for the comfort and privacy of our customers and our care team.

Chewy Vet Care will be powered by our proprietary, easy-to-use modern technology, to deliver a seamless and memorable experience, which we have delivered for over a decade in our core businesses.

A look inside the Chew Vet Care clinics

Chewy has implemented some key features in their clinics to make the experience as easy as possible for pets and their owners. These include:

• Separate waiting areas to promote a calm environment for anxious pets
  

• Spacious exam rooms to help pets feel more comfortable
  

• Digital pet portal to give pet owners access to all records and invoices and share updates and reminders from the vet
  

• Digital monitors in each exam room with your pets picture
  

• Personalized discharge instructions for each pet
  

When it comes to veterinary services, Chewy clinics will include:

• Urgent/emergency care services during business hours
  

• Dental care
  

• Vaccinations
  

• Surgeries and procedures
  

• Travel certificates
  

• 24/7 health guidance
  

• New pet care
  

Pet owners must create an account with Chewy prior to taking their pet to the vet clinics, though a formal membership isnt required. Pet owners can also submit their bills from Chewy Vet Care to their pet insurance providers for reimbursement.

Two Chewy Vet Care clinics have already opened one in Highlands Ranch, Colo., and one in Plantation, Fla. More locations are scheduled to open this year in Coral Gables, Fla.; Denver; Fountain Oaks, Ga.; and Perimeter, Ga.

This is one of the most significant moments in Chewys history as we open the doors to our Chewy Vet Care practices and physically become a part of our customers lives and in their neighborhoods, Malhotra said. Our team has worked relentlessly to create an experience that is extraordinary and memorable for pets, customers, and our veterinary teams.


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Which will sink: real gold or fake gold?

April 25, 2024

If you havent heard, theres a gold rush going on in America. Call it what you want solid investment or a safe haven to protect you from geopolitical tensions and economic concerns people are buying gold and companies are selling it.

However, as we've found out, scammers are playing games with gold and all the gold being sold isnt real.

To be considered gold in the United States, the metal has to be 10k, or 41.7% pure. But how is the Average Joe supposed to know whats real versus whats not?

Rick Kanda, managing director at The Gold Bullion Company, told ConsumerAffairs that, past taking the gold to a professional, its actually pretty easy to determine the legitimacy of your gold.

Four things to look for when checking your gold

Kandas four essential steps to take if you want to check the authenticity of your gold are:

• Check its weight: Gold is very dense, meaning that even small amounts of gold can be very heavy, meaning coins, bars or jewelry which are very light could very well be fake. Some gold will have its weight on it, meaning you can use a scale to see if this figure matches the weight inscribed on your item.
  

• Look for a stamp: Many countries have gold that has stamps on it, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, France, and China. These countries have different requirements for hallmarking gold, and the stamps indicate the metal's purity.
  
  For example, in the United Statesgold must be marked with a karat stamp that indicates its purity. In France, gold is marked with symbols that indicate the metal's purity, place of manufacturing, and imports and exports. In China, gold is usually marked with 999, 9999, or 999.5, and may also have Chinese characters engraved on it.
  

• Keep an eye out for discoloration: Gold does not tarnish, oxidize or rust as it is a precious metal, but silver or copper will. Over time, fake gold can lose its luster, become discolored, develop a green or blackish tinge due to oxidation or corrosion or become more dull or brassy in its appearance, Kanda notes. If you spot discoloration on your item, it is an almost certain sign that it is not pure gold and is instead gold-plated.
  

• Evaluate the color: Depending on the material used, fake gold can come in a variety of colors. In order to simulate the look of real gold, gold-colored paint is often applied to materials like brass, copper, aluminum and other alloys.
  
  But, if its real gold therell be a warm, yellowish hue that would be a bear to replicate with fake gold typically lacking the distinctive coloring of real gold.Plus, for some counterfeit gold items, the gold plating is applied haphazardly, which means the item winds up having different shades and patches across its surface.
  

If after analyzing the appearance of your gold you believe it may be fake, the next steps are to test your gold," Kanda told us. "There are many ways to do this at home, but you should also seek a professional's opinion if any tests show signs that your gold is fake.

With this in mind, why not see if you can spot the signs of real or fake gold? Test your knowledge by looking at these coins. Which is fake -- #1 or #2?

The answer is... #2!

Run your test at home

There are also some ways to check your gold in the comfort of your home. Kandas first go-to move is the magnet test.

Gold is not a magnetic metal, meaning using a magnet is a quick and easy way to test its legitimacy. Hold a magnet close to your item, if its real gold it wont stick to the magnet, he said. However, it is best to use the test alongside others as some base materials used as gold alloys can also be non-magnetic.

Then theres the sink test.Because gold is a rather dense material, it will sink to the bottom of a cup or bowl of water. On the other hand, fake gold is often made of much lighter materials and so will be slower to sink or will not sink at all when placed in water.

Next is the vinegar test. Gold is also a non-reactive material, meaning it will not change color or appearance when it comes into contact with a highly corrosive substance like vinegar. By dropping a small amount of vinegar onto your item, you will be able to tell if it is fake or if it tarnishes, Kanda notes.

Finally, there's the rub test: Something else you probably didnt know and that is when gold is scratched or rubbed against ceramic it will leave a trail of yellow or gold. In comparison, you will know your gold is fake if it leaves behind a dark trail when it is rubbed against ceramic.

You can also test gold against your skin by holding your item in your hands for a couple of minutes. The warmth and sweat from your hands will react with the metal and change the color of your skin to turn black, blue or green where it comes into contact if it is fake, Kanda said.


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