Flying The Web For News.
  • Career Exam Study
    Career Exam Study
  • US Politics
    US Politics
  • E-commerce Guide
    E-commerce Guide
  • Dropshipping Guide
    Dropshipping Guide
  • Microsoft Exam
    Microsoft Exam
  • IT Career News
    IT Career News

Article Tools/Herramientas de artículos

+ Larger Font/Fuente más grande | - Smaller Font/Fuente más pequeña




Consumer Daily Reports

[unable to retrieve full-text content]

Dont forget to check your app

By Gary Guthrie of ConsumerAffairs
September 25, 2024

Photo

This Sunday Sep 29, 2024 is National Coffee Day. And, to celebrate this momentous occasion, fast food chains, coffee shops, convenience stores, and restaurants are ready to load people up with some free java.

Who, what, and where you say? Well, the Krazy Koupon Lady put together probably the most complete list of these deals and here they are A-Z:

  • Atlas Coffee: Atlas Coffee is offering a free 12-ounce bag/box of coffee with a whole bean, ground, or pods compatible (Keurig and Nespresso Original) coffee subscription and up to 50% off Coffee World Tour gifts when you use the promo code FREECOFFEEDAY through Oct. 2.

  • Biggby: Celebrate National Coffee Day 2024, with a free 20-ounce hot or iced coffee from Biggby Coffee no purchase necessary but you do need to scan a registered Biggby card to get the deal. Plus, scanning your card will enter you into the Biggy Coffee Day gift card giveaway.

  • Dunkin: Dunkin Rewards members can get a free medium iced or hot coffee with any purchase on National Coffee Day, Sept. 29, 2024.

  • Dunn Brothers Coffee: On Sept. 29, Dunn Brothers Coffee Rewards members can enjoy a free any size brewed coffee, no purchase necessary. Be one of the first 5,000 rewards members nationwide on National Coffee Day and you can win free coffee for the rest of the year! Plus, one rewards member per store will win free coffee for a year to one winner at each participating store.

  • Eight O'Clock Coffee: Get 15% off any purchase of $75 or more at Eight O'Clock Coffee when you use the promo code BESTBREW during checkout through Sept. 29.

  • Keurig: Keurig is celebrating National Coffee Day 2024 with up to 50% off sitewide when you use the promo code COFFEEDAY24 during checkout.

  • Maud's Coffee & Tea: Starting Sept. 26 through Oct. 1 you can save 25% sitewide at Maud's Coffee & Tea when you use the promo code COFFEEDAY during checkout.

  • Peets Coffee: This year, Peets Coffee is offering 25% off coffee sitewide and in stores when you use the promo code NCD2024 during checkout. Offer valid through Sept. 29, National Coffee Day.

  • PJs Coffee: On Sept. 29, PJ's Coffee is offering a free 12-ounce hot coffee or cold brew cup Chicory beverage with a pastry or sandwich purchase. Limit one per customer.

  • Pilot Travel Centers: On National Coffee Day, Sept. 29, myRewards Plus members can get a FREE any size hot or iced coffee at Pilot Travel Centers nationwide.

  • Scooters Coffee: Scooters Coffee is offering free iced or hot brewed coffee, any size, through its mobile app on Sept. 29 and 30.Plus, the first 25 customers at each location on Sept. 29 will receive a free Scooter's Coffee "Scoot On Around" mug.

  • Shipley Do-Nuts: To celebrate National Coffee Day in 2024, Shipley Do-Nuts is giving customers a free glazed donut with any coffee purchase on Sept. 29.

  • Starbucks: Spend $50 on Amazon and you can get $10 off Starbucks at-home products available on the Amazon Starbucks store page. Offer valid while supplies last.

  • Stewarts Shops: Stewarts Shops is offering free hot, iced, or cold brew coffee from noon to close at all Stewart's Shops on National Coffee Day.

  • The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Buy one, get one free beverage at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on National Coffee Day.

  • White Castle: This year, White Castle is offering a BOGO free breakfast combo with the coupon on the White Castle Value Offers Page.

No guarantee, but

There may be others, too, who just havent publicized their involvement with the occasion, but still worth checking out if youre one of their fans especially on their app. The Krazy Koupon Ladys list in that category goes like this:

  • Caseys: Caseys Rewards members can look for a coupon for any size coffee sent to their account on Sept. 29, 2024.

  • Circle K: Circle K will likely offer Inner Circle Rewards members a free any size cup of coffee (up to a $2.09 value) from Circle K through their rewards app.

  • Duck Donuts: Look for Duck Donuts to celebrate National Coffee Day 2024 by giving customers a free medium hot coffee or cold brew with any purchase on Sept. 29.

  • Dutch Bros: Watch for Dutch Bros to sell hats (in stores) that say Drink More Coffee. Customers who purchase the hat on Sept. 29 will receive a free cup of coffee.

  • Krispy Kreme: On Sept. 29, 2024, look for Krispy Kreme to offer a free medium hot or iced coffee, no purchase necessary. Plus, Krispy Kreme will likely offer a discounted dozen Original Glazed Dozen with the purchase of any dozen.

  • Potbelly: Watch for Potbelly Perks Rewards members to get double points on their on an in-app purchase of a Cold Brew Shake on National Coffee Day.

  • Sheetz: Sheetz will likely celebrate National Coffee Day and International Coffee Day in 2024 with deals on their cold brew and nitro cold brew.

  • Tim Hortons: This year, on National Coffee Day 2024, Tim Hortons Rewards members can look for a coupon for a free medium hot or iced coffee with a purchase.

  • Wendys: Wendy's will likely celebrate National Coffee Day with a $0.99 small coffee through the Wendys app.

If you don't see your favorite coffee stop here, it may be worth doing a quick search on the web for "(store/brand) free coffee National Coffee Day 2024." Just sayin'...



Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images


Posted: 2024-09-25 16:03:27

Get Full News Story On Consumer Affairs



Listen to this article. Speaker link opens in a new window.
Text To Speech BETA Test Version.



More News From This Category

Consumer News: Retirees face shrinking gains: rising healthcare costs may eat up 2026 COLA

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:07:07 +0000

Many seniors are already cutting cut back on essentials like groceries and medications.

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
September 2, 2025
  • Social Security benefits are expected to rise by about 2.7% in 2026, equating to roughly a $54 monthly boostbut rising Medicare costs threaten to eat most of it.

  • Medicare PartB premiums are projected to climb 11.6%, from $185 to about $206.50/month, which alone could consume nearly 40% of the COLA increase.

  • Broader healthcare expense hikesincluding rising PartD costs, deductibles, and outofpocket expensesare already pushing many seniors to cut back on essentials like groceries and medications.


Current projections indicate that Social Security recipients could receive a 2.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2026, slightly up from last years 2.5 %a modest gain that may nonetheless prove insufficient in the face of surging healthcare costs.

That projected increase would translate to approximately $54 more per month for an average beneficiary. However, as Medicare PartB premiums are set to rise 11.6%, increasing by $21.50/month to $206.50, Social Security checks may only gain $3233 neterasing nearly 40% of that new income.

And PartB premiums arent the only concern. Medicare PartD costs are also expected to increasearound 6% in premiumsand deductibles and other outofpocket costs, such as those for medications or services, are also on the rise. Moreover, the PartB deductible is projected to jump from $257 to $288, an 11.2% increase in itself, according toInvestopedia.

Effects are being felt

The rising burden is already having real effects: A recent nationwide survey found over half of retirees are cutting discretionary spending, and notably, more than one-third are forced to trim essentials like groceries and medical careall while COLA increases lag behind rising inflation and healthcare costs.

Experts warn that the disconnect between broad inflation measures (like the CPIW, which drives COLA) and the actual spending patterns of retireesespecially on healthcaremeans that many seniors will see little to no real improvement in their budgets in 2026, Barron'srecently reported.

Whats at stake?

Even with a COLA bump, rising medical costsespecially those automatically deducted from benefitsmean that many retirees will struggle to feel any real financial benefit next year. As the mismatch between inflation measures and seniors actual spending grows, advocates are pushing for a revision of how COLA is calculated or better indexing to retirees cost burdensparticularly healthcare.

Senior advocacy groups say none of this should surprise anyone.
Social Security checks arent keeping up with inflation. If four in five seniors think inflation was higher than the government reported in 2024, maybe we should stop questioning their experiences and start questioning why the COLA is failing to measure them, saidShannon Benton, executive director of the Senior Citizens League.


Read More ...


Consumer News: Blanket restrictions not the answer to keeping kids safe online, group says

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:07:06 +0000

Age verification, other restrictive tools can block worthwhile content

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
September 2, 2025
  • Public Knowledge says child safety bills across the U.S. are well-intentioned but overly broad, threatening privacy and free expression.
  • A new white paper calls for tech companies to design safer products by default and apply age checks only where risks warrant them.

  • The group warns that sweeping verification lawslike those in Texas, Mississippi, and the U.K.set troubling precedents that may harm both kids and adults.

As lawmakers race to pass child safety laws aimed at protecting kids online, a study warns that the cure may be worse than the disease. The non-profit research organization Public Knowledge argues in a white paper released earlier this yearthat blunt-force age verification mandates risk undermining privacy, free expression, and access to beneficial online content.

Instead of treating all internet use as equally dangerous, the group advocatesa risk-based framework that places responsibility squarely on tech companies to design safer platforms by default. Well-intentioned efforts to protect young users too often miss the point, the report concludes, noting that compulsive design features, predatory interactions, and poor privacy protections drive the most serious harmsnot mere access to controversial content.

Verification vs. assurance

Central to the debate is the difference between age verificationchecking a government ID to confirm exact ageand age assurance, a spectrum of less invasive methods such as behavioral analysis, account history, or machine learning age estimates. Public Knowledge argues for scaling these approaches: lighter touch for low-risk activities like browsing educational material, but stronger safeguards for high-risk features such as livestreaming or stranger-to-stranger messaging.

Courts, states, and the coming federal push

Momentum for strict laws is already building. The U.S. Supreme Court this summer upheld Texass requirement for age checks to access pornography, a ruling that lowers constitutional scrutiny for online restrictions. Soon after, it declined to block Mississippis social media verification law. At least two dozen states now mandate or are advancing similar rules, raising fears that adults could soon have to prove they are old enough to use the internet at all.

Public Knowledge warns of the privacy fallout, citing recent hackslike the leak of government IDs from a dating app that required women to submit proof of identityas evidence that mandatory ID submission is a data breach waiting to happen.

The report points to the U.K.s Online Safety Act, in effect since July, as a cautionary tale. While intended to protect children from harmful material, its rollout has triggered chaos: platforms blocking everything from protest videos to support groups for quitting smoking or drinking, and millions of users turning to VPNs to skirt restrictions.

A smarter alternative

Public Knowledge calls on U.S. lawmakers to resist copy-paste solutions and instead regulate features that drive harm. Infinite scroll, manipulative notifications, and algorithmic recommendations are among the design choices the group says should be age-gated or re-engineered with safety in mind. Meanwhile, less risky functions should remain open, preserving kids ability to learn and explore while protecting adults rights to free expression.

The white paper will be formally presented September 8 at a Washington, D.C. event titled The Kids Arent Alright Online: Building a Safer, Better Internet.


Read More ...


Consumer News: Google warns 2.5 billion Gmail users to change their passwords

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 22:07:07 +0000

Salesforce data breach has exposed Gmail users' passwords

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs
August 29, 2025

Google is warning the 2.5 billion Gmail users to change their passwords or switch to using passkeys after a surge in phony emails that followed a massive data breach at Salesforce.

All Gmail users should be careful browsing through their emails and should be alert to potentially bogus messages, Google warned. The company said there had been a surgery in effective and convincing phishing attacks targeting Gmail and Google Workspace users.

No passwords were leaked in the Salesforce breach but there was enough customer information to enable tricksters to compose convincing-sounding emails. The emails generally impersonate a company's IT support desk and try to convince users to download malicious software.

Some of the phony emails appear to come from Google itself and use phrases like "suspicious sign-in prevented." In another example, one email said that Google had been served with a subpoena that required it to release information contained in the user's email account.

The message: Don't share any information, including account numbers of passwords with anyone who telephones, emails or texts you. Ignore or delete texts or emails and do not click on any links contained in them. Google will never call you unprompted and neither will most government agencies or corporations. Deal only with people you know and trust.


Read More ...


Consumer News: Are you going into credit card debt with back-to-school shopping?

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 19:07:07 +0000

An expert shares how marketing may be playing a role in extensive shopping

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
August 29, 2025

  • A recent report found that August has become a prime month for consumers taking on extra credit card debt, and back-to-school shopping is the likely culprit.

  • Many back-to-school ads feature items beyond the traditional supplies and clothes.

  • Planning your purchases in advance can help shoppers compare prices and save the most money.

While retailers like Target have been sharing back-to-school sales for weeks, the new school year rush is officially in full effect.

That also means its time to stock up on supplies, clothes, shoes, and more.

However, do all these purchases also mean your credit card bills are stacking up?

A recent report from CardRatings.com found that August is becoming a big month of credit card debt for consumers, and back-to-school shopping is likely to blame.

Richard Barrington, a finance expert at CardRatings, broke down what exactly this means for consumers, including how to save money and how to prepare for this extra expense.

Is inflation to blame?

According to Barrington, it could play a role.

Certainly, inflation has been an issue in recent years, and has perked up again recently, he told ConsumerAffairs. So, one factor here is that items are getting more expensive.

However, overspending comes into play when you look at the scope of whats considered back-to-school shopping. A quick look at ads for back-to-school sales revealed that alongside the usual pens, pads, and clothing, such items as kids headphones, water bottles, and make-up items are featured. Even air fryers were included in back-to-school advertising ostensibly for dorm rooms, though they are actually banned by many schools for safety reasons.

So, the definition of back-to-school shopping has expanded over the years, increasing the potential for overspending.

Credit card debt climbs in August

Barrington explained that the companys report highlighted some recent trends related to extra credit card debt.

Historically, August has been an above-average month for consumers taking on credit card debt, he said. This trend has held in recent years. Over the past four years, consumers have taken on an average of 75% more credit card debt than in the average month.

While not all of this can be attributed to back-to-school shopping, when you think about what makes August different from other months, back-to-school shopping features prominently.

Money-saving tips

While no one wants to incur more debt, there are ways to save on back-to-school shopping, and Barrington says that preparation is key.

Do some research in advance, he said. Whether you shop online or in person, doing price comparisons online can help you separate genuine sales from hype. Then you can use that research to set a budget to keep your back-to-school spending in line.

Consider back-to-school shopping a teaching opportunity. Educate your kids on the importance of staying on-budget and not getting sucked into sales hype. Then have them participate in the process of searching out the best prices and sticking to the plan when you shop.


Read More ...


Consumer News: How to steer clear of Labor Day sale

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 19:07:07 +0000

An expert shares everything consumers need to know to protect themselves during the sales

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
August 29, 2025
  • have gone hand-in-hand with big shopping holidays and the upcoming Labor Day weekend is no exception.
  • The same rules for identifying potential remain: a sense of urgency, misspellings, grammatical errors, etc. should all raise alarm bells for consumers.
  • Experts encourage consumers to trust their instincts and never be scared to double and triple check before making purchases or sharing personal information.

While many consumers are preparing for barbecues and sales for Labor Day weekend, its also becoming increasingly common for scammers to up the ante during high-volume sales.

Clayton LiaBraaten, Senior Executive Advisor at Truecaller, spoke with ConsumerAffairs to highlight the most popular Labor Day , what consumers should expect, how to avoid falling victim to these , and more.

Labor Day weekend carries with it a peculiar duality, LiaBraaten told ConsumerAffairs.

On one hand, it represents the unofficial end of summer, that bittersweet transition when we collectively acknowledge the turning of seasons and the promise of autumn's arrival. On the other hand, it has become something far more insidious a golden opportunity for those who would exploit our very human tendencies toward optimism and the hunt for a good deal.

Identify the red flags

LiaBraaten warns that scammers are using the latest technology to their advantage, making harder and harder to detect. However, its not impossible to spot a sale-related scam.

The price that seems too good to be true invariably is. That brand-new television at 90% off isn't a doorbuster deal; it's bait, he explained. The URL that contains subtle misspellings or unnecessary additions Bestbuysales.com instead of BestBuy.com betrays the deception beneath the surface. These are not accidents or oversights; they're the unavoidable artifacts of fraudulent infrastructure.

The poorly designed website with missing contact information and grammatical inconsistencies remains a reliable indicator, LiaBraaten continued. Legitimate businesses don't operate from the shadows. They have addresses, phone numbers, return policies, and customer service departments. They exist in the physical world as well as the digital one.

A sense of urgency is a warning sign

One of the biggest things to look for: a sense of urgency.

The high-pressure tactics remain their bread and butter, unchanged despite technological evolution, LiaBraaten said. Requests for Social Security numbers, passwords, or payment details via email or text. Insistence on wire transfers or cryptocurrency payments.

The creation of false urgency act now or lose this opportunity forever. No legitimate retailer operates this way, yet in the heat of the moment, with the clock ticking and the deal seemingly slipping away, we can forget these fundamental truths.

Go to the source

If youre ever unsure if youre being targeted by a scammer, LiaBraatens best piece of advice: go straight to the source.

Those links in unsolicited emails and social media advertisements? Ignore them entirely. Type the retailer's URL directly into your browser, he said. If you've placed an order, log into your account through the official website and check your order status there. This simple practice alone would prevent the vast majority of successful phishing attempts.

Look for "https" rather than merely "http" that 's' represents secure encryption, and its absence should raise immediate red flags. Verify the actual domain name with the care of a proofreader. Amazon.com is legitimate; amazom.com is not. These differences can be subtle, but they're never accidental.

Trust your instincts

At the end of the day, LiaBraaten recommends that consumers trust their guts above all else.

That feeling in your gut when something seems off? It's the product of millions of years of evolution, finely tuned to detect threats, he said. In our digital age, those threats may have changed form, but our intuitive response to danger remains remarkably reliable.

This Labor Day weekend, as you navigate the sales and celebrations, remember that vigilance need not mean paranoia, and skepticism need not prevent participation. It simply means approaching our digital transactions with the same care we would bring to any significant decision. After all, in an age where artificial intelligence can mimic human communication with uncanny accuracy, our very human capacity for critical thinking becomes not just useful but essential.


Read More ...


Related Bing News Results

Consumer Reports: The top 2025 cars, trucks and SUVs - WMUR

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:11:00 GMT
To help with the search, Consumer Reports has released its annual list of the best cars, trucks and SUVs for 2025. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is Consumer Reports' pick for the best midsize SUV.

Consumer Reports releases its top-tested insect repellents ... - News4JAX

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 01:26:00 GMT
To find the best bug sprays, Consumer Reports put repellents to the ultimate test–having real people stick their arms into cages full of hungry mosquitoes.

Every new car under $25k recommended by Consumer Reports - MSN

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:53:00 GMT
Only sixteen 2025 vehicles that start at less than $25k come recommended by the renowned auto experts at Consumer Reports. Toyota and Hyundai tied for most models on the list with three each.

Consumer Reports: Top smartphone accessibility features

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:43:00 GMT
Consumer Reports reveals smartphone accessibility features to improve daily life Share Updated: 9:43 PM EDT Apr 14, 2025 Infinite Scroll Enabled ...

Consumer Reports: Top accessibility features that transform phone use

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 10:57:00 GMT
Whether navigating cognitive or mobility challenges or looking for more innovative ways to use your device, Consumer Reports reveals the top accessibility tools that can make a big difference in ...


Blow Us A Whistle




Related Product Search/Búsqueda de productos relacionados