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Consumer Daily Reports

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Dependent on certain meds? Try to get a 90-day supply

By Gary Guthrie of ConsumerAffairs
October 1, 2024

Photo

Most people dont give much of a thought to a work strike because many are category-centric like automobiles or appliances. But the dock workers' strike along the East and Gulf Coasts is not your ordinary strike and consumer products by the score are expected to be impacted ...significantly.

Basically, things are going to take longer to arrive. So, if you think youre going to want or need something, get it now. Otherwise, you could be out of luck.

Pickings may be slim, too. Some stores might run out of popular items because those containers are stuck at the port.

And pricier everything. Yeah, nobody likes this one, but those shipping delays and extra costs might get passed on to you, so be prepared to pay a bit more.

Based on the amount of stuff that a container ship can carry, the whos who of companies that could be affected the most is considerable in terms of consumerism looks like this:

Retail Giants (Walmart, Target, Amazon): Probably the ones with the most exposure because they import massive volumes of goods from various countries, and a significant portion likely flows through the potentially affected ports.

Auto Manufacturers (Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda) The majority of imported cars come in through East Coast ports. Even domestic manufacturers import a lot of parts.

Electronics Manufacturers (Apple, Samsung, LG): Due to their reliance on imports of components and finished products from Asia.

Furniture Companies (IKEA, Ashley Furniture): Because of the bulky nature of furniture imports.

Apparel Companies (Nike, Gap, Adidas): Depending on the sourcing of their products and reliance on affected ports.

Groceries and cars

You can kiss any hope of getting good prices goodbye no matter where you shop for your milk and bread. Supermarkets are already talking about price hikes and your favorite stores like Walmart and Target are probably going to run out of stuff like perishable goods.

Think fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those imported from Central and South America. Think bananas, avocados, and other produce with a short shelf life. Delays at ports will lead to spoilage and potential shortages, driving up prices.

If youre in the market for a new car, youre going to have fewer choices during the strike, too. Some of the larger European car manufacturers, like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi, and Volvo, heavily rely on East Coast ports for importing vehicles into the US. Disruptions at these ports could lead to significant delays and potential shortages of these brands.

EvenAsian car brands will be impacted, like Honda (certain models), which have manufacturing facilities in Europe and are also shipped through East Coast ports and could be affected.

Brands like Tesla that havea lot of its eggs in the domestic manufacturing basket are likely to be the least affected by the strike. However, they might be affected indirectly because of potential delays in receiving imported components.

This dockworkers' strike is like a wrench in the gears of the car world, not just in availability of models. It's messing with the flow of parts, and that means headaches for car makers and maybe a bit of a wait for you.

Holiday hell

Then, theres time-sensitive goods products with a limited selling window, like seasonal items (Halloween costumes, Christmas decorations), or those with upcoming holiday release dates (new electronics, video games) could be delayed, impacting availability and potentially sales.

Even shoppers looking for fancy stuff such as luxury goods and high-end electronics are going to find jacked-up price tags because of storage and shipping costs.

Christmas trees, too, to a degree. While most trees sold in the U.S. come from the U.S., we importa number of them from Canada and if the ports get clogged, tree availability may take a hit.

However, those artificial trees the ones that never drop needles and look perfect forever are made in China and shipped over on those big container ships and that means they could belate to the party, too, and with fewer choices and higher prices.

Home furnishings

Love IKEA? You know where a lot of its stuff is made, right? Sweden, then shipped overseas. So, if you're dreaming of a new BILLY bookcase or a comfy KLIPPAN sofa, you might be playing the waiting game.

Same with Ashley Furniture. Probably Wayfair, too. Both could besitting on the dock waiting forever, so dont be surprised if that wait dominoes downhill to you. You might even see some "out of stock" surprises on Wayfair.

Even Amazon could be impacted in the home furnishings section because the company does sell tons of furniture and home decor. And the downhill impact there means you shouldn't be surprised if your Amazon Prime delivery takes a bit longer than usual, either.

Medications

While its probably not the first thing people think of nor will it have as large an impact as it does on basic consumer goods the dockworkers' strike could potentially impact the availability and cost of certain medications.

Here's why: The U.S. imports a significant portion of its pharmaceuticals both finished drugs and the raw materials used in their production alike and disruptions at ports could delay shipments, potentially leading to shortages of certain medications.

Many medical supplies are also imported, including those used in hospitals and clinics. A good number of those come in through Charleston, South Carolina, and delays could affect the availability of these critical supplies.

As far as your medicine cabinet is concerned, the strike could impact things like antibiotics, blood thinners, hormone replacements, and mental health meds. Even over-the-counter stuff like pain relievers and vitamins.

For folks who may be sweating about their pharmacy running out of their necessary meds, they may want to contact the pharmacy and see if they can order a 90-day supply to try and minimize any potential impacts.



Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images


Posted: 2024-10-01 16:03:44

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Consumer News: Earnest Operations reaches settlement with Massachusetts attorney general

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:07:08 +0000

The student loan company was accused of violating consumer protection laws

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs
July 18, 2025
  • Earnest Operations LLC agrees to pay $2.5 million and reform lending practices.
  • Massachusetts AG alleges AI-driven loan decisions harmed Black, Hispanic, and non-citizen applicants.

  • Settlement mandates compliance measures and bans discriminatory algorithmic rules.


Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has secured a $2.5 million settlement with Earnest Operations LLC, a Delaware-based student loan company, over allegations that its lending practices driven by artificial intelligence (AI) discriminated against marginalized borrowers and violated consumer protection and fair lending laws.

The settlement, filed in Suffolk County Superior Court as an assurance of discontinuance, addresses what the AGs office described as systemic failures in Earnests underwriting process, including the use of AI models that allegedly produced disparate impacts on Black, Hispanic, and non-citizen borrowers.

AI models under scrutiny

According to the Attorney Generals investigation, Earnest used algorithmic models to make critical decisions about loan eligibility, pricing, and terms. However, the company failed to test for discriminatory outcomes and relied on data inputs and training methods that introduced bias amplifying existing inequities in the lending process.

Earnests failure to comply with consumer protection and fair lending laws, including through its AI models, unfairly put historically marginalized student borrowers at risk of being denied loans or receiving unfavorable loan terms, AG Campbell said in a statement.

One key point of contention was the companys use of the federal Cohort Default Rate (CDR) a statistic reflecting average loan defaults at individual schools as an input variable in its algorithms. The AGs office said this disproportionately penalized applicants who attended minority-serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities.

Other alleged violations

In addition to algorithmic bias, the AG alleged other unfair practices:

  • Use of a Knockout Rule to automatically deny loans based on immigration status.

  • Arbitrary human assessments that led to inconsistent and opaque decisions.

  • Inaccurate adverse action notices that misinformed applicants about credit decisions.

  • A lack of internal compliance infrastructure to oversee fair lending risks.

Earnest denied all allegations and maintained that it did not violate state or federal law. The company said it agreed to the settlement solely to resolve the matter without prolonged litigation.

Reforms mandated in settlement

Under the terms of the agreement, Earnest must:

  • Pay $2.5 million to the state of Massachusetts.

  • Cease use of the Cohort Default Rate and immigration-based Knockout Rule in its loan decision models.

  • Establish a robust corporate governance structure to monitor AI use.

  • Develop written policies for responsible, legally compliant AI deployment.

  • Regularly report compliance metrics to the AGs office.

The settlement marks one of the first state-level enforcement actions targeting AI-related bias in financial services, setting a precedent for how regulators may respond to emerging technologies that impact consumer rights.

This case sends a strong message, Campbell said, that technology, no matter how advanced, cannot be used as an excuse to sidestep civil rights and consumer protections.


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Consumer News: Want to age better? Just walk a little faster, study suggests

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:07:08 +0000

Research shows that small boosts in walking speed may improve fitness and preserve independence in older adults

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
July 18, 2025
  • Older adults who walked just a bit faster improved their aerobic capacity and maintained function over time.

  • The study suggests even modest increases in walking pace just 5% can make a difference.

  • This approach may be safer and more sustainable than high-intensity workouts for older adults.

Walking may be one of the simplest ways to stay active but for older adults, a slight tweak in pace might unlock even greater benefits.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine suggests that modest increases in walking speed could help aging adults improve cardiovascular fitness, maintain functional independence, and potentially reduce health risks associated with aging.

"Physical activity has widespread, multisystem benefits, researcher David Conroy, Ph.D., said in a news release.

It increases longevity, reduces risk for many common chronic diseases such as many cancers, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. It improves brain health, improves cognitive function, and reduces risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It enhances mental health by reducing anxiety and depression, improves bone health, and so on. The most noticeable short-term impacts typically involve feeling more pleasant and revitalized, sleeping better, and thinking more clearly."

The study

One of the biggest metrics the researchers were interested in evaluating was how walking speed affected frailty a medical condition in older adults that increases vulnerability to everyday stresses.

The researchers explained that the criteria for the study were as follows:

  • Permanent residents in the retirement community

  • 60 years of age

  • Prefrail or frail according to the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe Frailty Instrument (SHARE-FI)

  • Capable of walking at least 10 feet with moderate assistance (

For the study, participants in retirement communities were assigned to different walking groups a casual speed walking group and a high-intensity walking speed group.

Over the course of four months, the participants were involved in daily walking exercises with their groups. Over time, the participants picked up their pace; for the high-intensity group, that also meant incorporating some different exercises during their walks.

The participants all wore accelerometers during their walks to measure their speed and distance, and the researchers measured each participants baseline speed and overall function at the start of the study.

The results

Overall, the researchers learned that increasing walking speed was associated with better outcomes for the participants.

Perhaps most importantly, these health benefits didnt require a significant increase in speed or intensity. Increasing cadence by at least 14 steps per minute above their usual rate was associated with the best health outcomes.

Participants who were able to reach that benchmark were able to walk longer distances without complication and had improved functional capacity overall. By the end of the study, these participants were able to increase their walking speed by an average of 30 minutes on each walk.

People who havent experienced frailty can't imagine how big a difference it makes to be able to not get tired going to the grocery store or not need to sit down while they're out, researcher Dr. Daniel Rubin said in the news release.


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Consumer News: Your father’s Alzheimer’s may affect your brain more than you think

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:07:08 +0000

New study links paternal history to higher buildup of Alzheimers-related tau protein

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
July 18, 2025
  • Adults with a father who had Alzheimers showed greater tau buildup, a key marker of the disease.

  • Women in the study had more widespread tau in their brains than men.

  • Findings could help guide personalized prevention strategies before memory loss begins.


Weve all heard how having a parent with Alzheimers could bump up our own risk of developing the disease but what if it matters which parent?

A recent study by the American Academy of Neurology reveals something surprising: it might actually be your dads history, not your moms, that correlates more strongly with a specific Alzheimers marker in the brain. While previous research often pointed to maternal inheritance, this study flips the narrative, focusing on how tau protein not just memory decline might have its own family story.

We were surprised to see that people with a father with Alzheimers were more vulnerable to the spread of tau in the brain, as we had hypothesized that we would see more brain changes in people with affected mothers, study author Sylvia Villeneuve, Ph.D. said in a news release.

The study

Researchers tracked 243 cognitively healthy adults, all around 68 years old, who had at least one parent (or two siblings) with Alzheimers. Importantly, none of the participants had any thinking or memory issues when the study began.

They underwent brain scans and memory testing, then were followed for almost seven years. Over that time, 71 people developed mild cognitive impairment often seen as an early step toward Alzheimers.

The team measured two key protein markers in the brain: beta-amyloid and tau. Tau buildup is especially linked to Alzheimers disease.

The results

The researchers discovered a paternal pattern throughout the study.

Participants whose fathers had Alzheimers showed a greater spread of the tau protein in their brains. This was a surprising finding especially since the team expected maternal influence to be stronger.

Additionally, gender mattered too. Women in the study had a heavier tau buildup than men and were more likely to show widespread tau protein spread.

Its important to note that these findings are associations, not proof of direct cause. Additionally, the study participants were mostly white, so the findings may not apply equally across all races and ethnicities.

However, the researchers explained that these insights might help health care professionals design personalized interventions that protect those at higher risk before symptoms even surface.

Better understanding these vulnerabilities could help us design personalized interventions to help protect against Alzheimers disease, Dr. Villeneuve said.


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Consumer News: Temu accused of illegal data collection, other violations in Kentucky lawsuit

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:07:07 +0000

Suit also alleges the site sells counterfeit products, including fake Louisville Slugger baseball caps

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs
July 18, 2025
  • Temu accused of illegal data collection, privacy violations, and counterfeit sales in Kentucky.
  • Nachawati Law Group joins forces with Kentucky Attorney General in consumer protection lawsuit.

  • State seeks civil penalties, restitution, and further relief in sweeping legal action.


The Chinese-owned shopping app Temu is under legal fire in Kentucky, facing a lawsuit that alleges serious breaches of consumer trust from harvesting private user data without consent to peddling counterfeit goods that undermine the states iconic brands.

The lawsuit, filed in Woodford Circuit Court, accuses Temu and its parent company, PDD Holdings Inc., of violating the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) and the states common law, by profiting through a range of unlawful and deceptive practices.

The case is being spearheaded by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman in collaboration with the Dallas-based Nachawati Law Group.

Exploiting users using bargain prices

Temu, which has become one of the most downloaded apps in the U.S. by offering deeply discounted consumer goods, is alleged to be doing much more than connecting buyers with inexpensive items. According to the lawsuit, the platform functions as a massive data-mining operation, collecting and exploiting personal user data without consent.

This app was designed to get data from the customers who use it, and the owners use it as a lure for that purpose, said Majed Nachawati, founder of Nachawati Law Group. The worst part is that these breaches of privacy are all being done without the customers knowledge or consent.

Allegations of fraud and counterfeiting

The complaint also outlines a series of alleged fraudulent practices, from misleading product listings and falsified customer reviews to unauthorized purchases made with consumer payment data.

Violation of customer privacy is just one concern with this app, said Brian McMath, trial attorney at Nachawati Law Group. It is a hub for consumer fraud from advertising items that look nothing like what eventually arrives, to faking customer reviews, to using consumer payment information to order items the customer never asked for.

Temu is also accused of profiting from the sale of counterfeit products, including fake Louisville Slugger baseball bats and imitation University of Louisville merchandise. The Kentucky AG's office argues these practices damage the state's economy and tarnish the reputation of its most trusted brands.

Kentucky seeks significant penalties

The state is seeking civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation of the KCPA, along with restitution for affected consumers and any further relief the court may grant. The case, titled Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. PDD Holdings Inc. et al., aims to hold Temu accountable for its alleged disregard of consumer protection laws.


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Consumer News: Judge tosses lawsuit over ads on Prime Video

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:07:07 +0000

After three tries, judge's ruling is final

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
July 18, 2025
  • Federal judge dismisses class-action lawsuit over Amazons ad-supported Prime Video tier.
  • Court rules Amazon acted within its rights under existing user agreements.

  • Plaintiffs barred from refiling after third failed attempt to plead claims.


A federal judge has dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Amazon that claimed the company deceived Prime Video users by introducing advertisements unless they paid an additional monthly fee. The decision ends months of litigation over Amazons controversial change to its streaming service.

U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Jacobs Rothstein, ruling from the Western District of Washington on July 16, granted Amazons motion to dismiss the consolidated class-action complaint with prejudice, meaning the plaintiffs cannot try again.

Amazons right to modify upheld

Central to the courts ruling was the finding that Amazon had not violated its terms of service. Judge Rothstein referenced a previous ruling that determined the introduction of ads was not a price increase but rather a benefit modification a change the company was authorized to make under the membership agreement.

Amazons terms, the judge emphasized, gave the company sole discretion to add or remove Prime membership benefits at any time. Amazon never promised to Prime members or anyone else that Prime Video would be always, or entirely, ad-free, the company stated in its legal filings.

Plaintiffs' claims ruled unreasonable

The plaintiffs had argued that Amazons move amounted to a bait and switch, misleading customers who believed ad-free streaming was a guaranteed feature of their Prime membership. The lawsuit, originally filed in February 2024, said customers were unfairly forced to pay an additional $2.99 per month to maintain ad-free streaming, something they had already paid for.

Judge Rothstein was not persuaded. She ruled that it was not reasonable for customers to assume that Prime Videos ad-free model would remain unchanged. The decision criticized the plaintiffs for relying on personal expectations rather than the language of Amazons user agreement.

This ruling marks the third time the plaintiffs have attempted to bring similar claims against Amazon. Judge Rothstein noted that each version of the complaint failed to present new or viable legal theories and therefore denied any further opportunity for amendment.

[T]his is Plaintiffs third attempt to plead viable claims, Rothstein wrote. No further amendment will be permitted.

Background and impact

Amazon began rolling out ads on Prime Video content in early 2025, offering users an option to pay $2.99/month to continue watching without commercials. The change sparked widespread customer backlash and legal scrutiny.

Despite customer frustration, the courts ruling affirms that Amazons service agreements allow for such changes. The decision is a major legal win for Amazon and sets a precedent for subscription-based platforms seeking flexibility in adjusting their service offerings.


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