Onerep's founder was secretly operating people-search websites, reports say

• Mozilla announced this week it's ending its partnership with Onerep, a data removal service whose founder was secretly operating people-search websites

• The Monitor Plus service will shut down December 17, 2025, with subscribers receiving prorated refunds

• This highlights the need for consumers to be extremely cautious about data removal services that may have conflicts of interest

If you've been paying for a service to remove your personal information from the internet, you need to know about this major red flag that just surfaced in the data privacy industry.

What's happening with Mozilla and Onerep

Mozilla announced Tuesday that it's finally ending its partnership with Onerep, the company behind its Monitor Plus data removal service. This comes after a damning investigation revealed that Onerep's founder was playing both sides of the game.

Back in March 2024, security journalist Brian Krebs exposed that Dimitiri Shelest, Onerep's CEO, had created dozens of people-search websites since 2010. Even worse, he was still operating Nuwber, a data broker that sells background reports on people.

Think about that for a moment: you were potentially paying a company to remove your data from websites that the same company's founder had created and was profiting from.

The timeline reveals Mozilla's slow response

Mozilla first said it was "winding down" the partnership in March 2024 after the investigation broke. But here's what's concerning for consumers: the company kept promoting and selling the service for another 16 months.

The Monitor Plus service won't officially end until December 17, 2025. Current subscribers will get prorated refunds for unused portions of their subscriptions.

Mozilla cited "high standards for vendors" and challenges in the "data broker ecosystem" as reasons for ending the service, but many consumers are questioning why it took so long.

Your action plan for data removal services

1. Research any data removal service thoroughly before paying - look up the company's founders and leadership team

2. Check if the service provider has any connections to data broker companies or people-search sites

3. Read recent reviews and complaints, not just testimonials on the company's website

4. Consider the DIY approach - many data brokers are required by law to honor removal requests directly from consumers

5. If you're currently using Monitor Plus, expect your refund to process automatically after December 17

6. Be skeptical of services that promise to remove your data from "hundreds" of sites - experts say these often only cover a tiny fraction of actual data sources

The bigger picture for your privacy

This situation reveals a fundamental problem in the data removal industry. Some companies may be creating the very problem they claim to solve.

Mozilla's struggle to find a replacement service that meets their standards suggests that ethical options in this space may be limited. The company plans to focus on integrating more privacy features directly into Firefox instead.

The bottom line: The Onerep scandal shows that data removal services can have serious conflicts of interest. Before paying anyone to protect your privacy, do your homework on who's really behind the company. Sometimes the fox is guarding the henhouse, and your money might be better spent on direct removal requests or other privacy protection methods you control yourself.

Early-morning flights are least likely to be delayed

• More than 360,000 flights expected during Thanksgiving week, with Tuesday being the worst day for delays

• Peak travel day on November 25 will see over 52,000 flights competing for limited airspace

• Smart planning and flexible booking can help you avoid the worst crowds and potential cancellations

If you're flying for Thanksgiving this year, brace yourself. The Federal Aviation Administration just announced this holiday travel period will be the busiest in 15 years, and that spells trouble for anyone hoping for smooth flights.

The perfect storm brewing in our skies

In an announcement on Friday, November 21, the FAA revealed they're preparing to handle more than 360,000 flights during the Thanksgiving travel period. That's an enormous number of planes competing for the same airspace, runways, and gate space.

The worst day will be Tuesday, November 25, when over 52,000 flights are expected to crisscross the country. To put that in perspective, that's more than one flight taking off every two seconds throughout the entire day.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford acknowledged the challenge ahead, praising air traffic controllers who will be working overtime to manage what he called "record-high traffic."

Why this affects your wallet and sanity

More flights don't just mean crowded airports they mean higher prices, longer delays, and increased chances your flight gets cancelled altogether. When demand spikes like this, airlines know they can charge premium prices because you have fewer alternatives.

The ripple effects hit hard too. One delayed flight can cascade into dozens of others, potentially stranding you in an airport for hours or even overnight. That means unexpected hotel costs, meal expenses, and the stress of missing family gatherings.

Your action plan to beat the chaos

Don't let airline chaos ruin your holiday. Here's how to protect yourself:

1. Book the earliest flight possible on your travel day delays compound throughout the day, so morning flights have the best shot at leaving on time

2. Avoid Tuesday, November 25 entirely if you can choose Monday or Wednesday instead, even if it costs slightly more

3. Download your airline's app and enable push notifications for real-time updates about gate changes and delays

4. Pack essentials in your carry-on, including medications, phone chargers, and a change of clothes in case your checked bag gets lost

5. Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours early for domestic flights, 3 hours for international security lines will be brutal

6. Consider travel insurance that covers flight delays and cancellations, especially if you're booking expensive tickets

7. Have backup plans ready, including alternative flights or even driving routes if your flight gets cancelled

The FAA has also launched a new civility campaign, reminding passengers to be patient and kind. While that's nice advice, your best defense is being prepared for the worst-case scenario.

The bottom line: This Thanksgiving's record-breaking flight volume is a recipe for delays, cancellations, and sky-high prices. Your best strategy is to fly early in the day, avoid the peak travel day of November 25, and have backup plans ready. The airlines are counting on your desperation to see family don't let them profit from poor planning on your part.

Technical issues delayed certain community care copayments, creating a massive debt pile

• The Department of Veterans Affairs is forgiving over $272 million in backlogged medical copayments that veterans unknowingly accumulated

• Technical issues starting in February 2023 caused the VA to stop processing certain community care copayments, creating a massive debt pile

• Veterans can now access their benefits without fear of surprise bills from the processing pause period

If you're a veteran who received community care services since early 2023, you just got some major financial relief. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week it's wiping out more than $272 million in potential medical bills that piled up due to government processing failures.

What happened with veteran medical bills

Starting in February 2023, the VA stopped processing copayments for community care services due to technical problems with their Program Integrity Tool (PIT). This system is supposed to manage claims data and ensure accurate billing.

For nearly two years, veterans continued receiving care without knowing they were accumulating potential debt. The bills just kept piling up in the background while the government's payment system remained broken.

The VA resumed normal billing on November 11, 2025, but decided to forgive the entire backlog rather than hit veterans with surprise bills.

How this affects you as a veteran

If you received community care services between February 2023 and November 2025, you may have been impacted by this billing pause. The good news is you won't be responsible for any copayments that should have been collected during this period.

Veterans who were worried about potential medical debt can now breathe easier knowing these bills have been permanently forgiven.

Your action plan

1. Check your VA account online to confirm you're not being billed for community care services from the affected period

2. Contact the VA through Ask VA online if you have questions about your specific situation or received any confusing billing statements

3. Keep records of all community care services you received during this timeframe in case any billing issues arise

4. Stay informed about your current copayment responsibilities now that normal billing has resumed

5. Use the VA's chatbot or call 1-800-698-2411 if you need clarification about your benefits

The bottom line: This debt forgiveness removes a major financial burden from hundreds of thousands of veterans who were caught in a government processing failure through no fault of their own. While it's good news for those affected, make sure you understand your current copayment responsibilities going forward to avoid future billing surprises.

Why FAA staffing cuts and AI travel agents are changing how you planand protectyour next trip

• FAA staffing cuts and government disruptions may lead to delaysand open the door to more travel targeting stressed flyers.

• AI is being used by both legitimate travel services and scammers, making it critical for travelers to verify messages, calls, and customer service contacts before acting.

• Travelers should adopt a zero-trust mindset, use credit cards for stronger protection, avoid unfamiliar payment methods, and go directly to airline or hotel sites to confirm alerts.

Holiday travel has always come with a little stress, but this year, many travelers are facing a new set of challenges before they even get to the airport.

With news of significant layoffs at the FAA and the rapid rise of AI-powered travel agent tools, the landscape of booking, confirming, and navigating trips looks different than ever. And while the season is still expected to be busy, experts say being informed and prepared can make the difference between a smooth holiday journey and an unexpected headache.

ConsumerAffairs interviewed Clayton LiaBraaten, Senior Executive Industry Expert at Truecaller, to learn more about the importance of going into holiday travel with a little extra awareness and preparation.

The impact of the government shutdown

While the government shutdown has technically ended, travelers are likely to feel the effects throughout the holiday season.

Beyond the expected logistical delays, we are facing a reduced capacity for enforcing consumer protection, which emboldens scammers, LiaBraaten explained. Bad actors know that regulatory bodies are stretched thin, and they will exploit the chaos of delayed flights and staffing shortages.

You can expect a surge in texts and calls claiming that your flight is canceled or your booking has failed, designed to panic you and prompt you to click on malicious links. Scammers thrive on this confusion, using the noise of travel disruption to slip past your defenses.

Know how to ID a scam

For those planning travel this holiday season, LiaBraaten says its crucial to be able to separate critical travel updates from fraud.

Because scammers are now using AI to mimic legitimate companies, you need a platform that uses AI to fight back one that can distinguish a legitimate call from a scam. This ensures that the traveler takes the calls that matter, such as a legitimate update from an airline or hotel concierge, while the software blocks AI-driven fraud attempts that try to steal your credit card number.

Additionally, never rely on a Google search for customer support numbers, as scammers often purchase high-ranking ads with fake numbers to spoof unsuspecting consumers.

Travel insurance?

With busy, crowded airports, is travel insurance worth it this holiday season? LiaBraaten says yes.

Financial travel insurance is vital, but your payment method is your first layer of protection; credit cards offer far superior fraud protection than debit cards and often include insurance that makes you eligible for fraud-related refunds.

Adopting a zero-trust mindset

To have the safest trip possible, LiaBraaten encourages travelers to adopt a "zero trust" mindset regarding unsolicited communication.

Scammers are leveraging AI-powered phishing emails and fake listings that look indistinguishable from the real thing, he explained. We need to fight AI with AI. Fraudsters have weaponized AI to create convincing deepfakes and scripts.

With payment methods, fraudsters will deploy pressure tactics. Never wire money or use gift cards, Zelle, Venmo, or crypto for a travel booking if it wasn't the initial method used; these are favorite tools of scammers because the funds are hard to recover.

Lastly, if you encounter a too-good-to-be-true deal or receive an urgent alert, do not click the link. Type the airline or hotel URL directly into your browser to verify the status.

Why shoppers are tired of the hype and what they actually want from holiday sales

• Many shoppers are feeling Black Friday burnout, with two-thirds saying the nonstop promotions and fake urgency have taken the fun out of the holiday shopping season.

• Consumers still want dealsbut on their own terms, prioritizing real, upfront savings and more intentional shopping instead of impulse-driven spending.

• Black Friday is now a marathon instead of a single day, with sales stretching from October through the New Year, leading shoppers to plan ahead and shop strategically rather than scramble.

If it feels like Black Friday has gotten a little exhausting, youre not alone.

What used to be the excitement of scoring once-a-year deals has turned into a weeks-long countdown filled with flashing timers, last chance warnings, and sales that dont really feel like sales at all. And shoppers are over it.

According to a new survey from TopCashback, conducted by Atomik Research, more than two-thirds of consumers believe brands are using fake urgency to push Black Friday offers. Instead of feeling energized by the holiday shopping season, many people are feeling tapped out and skeptical.

ConsumerAffairs interviewed Destiny Chatman, a shopping and savings expert at TopCashback, to learn what consumers are really interested in this holiday season: honesty over hype.

Black Friday fatigue

TopCashback worked with Atomik Research to survey 2,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and over to learn how they really feel about Black Friday.

The results may be surprising for some consumers. However, one of the biggest takeaways was the general fatigue that many shoppers experience around this time of year.

There are major signs of fatigue among consumers from Black Friday, Chatman explained. Two-thirds of shoppers no longer see it as a one-day event and 68% think brands are creating fake urgency with their deals.

Consumers are overwhelmed by the never-ending promotions, shifting timelines, and pressure to keep up. Its not that shoppers are rejecting deals, but that theyre over the chaos surrounding them and shopping events like Black Friday.

Will this affect sales?

While the deals might still be too good to pass up which is of the utmost priority for many shoppers this feeling of fatigue may affect how consumers shop during Black Friday.

Though we dont expect this fatigue to translate into lower sales this Black Friday, we do expect consumers to shop more strategically than ever, Chatman said.

Fifty-two percent will now shop online instead of in store to avoid the pressure to make impulsive purchases. Eighteen percent say they spend less than they did five years ago. People arent abandoning Black Friday, just approaching it with more intention, more research, and clearer spending boundaries.

A marathon of savings

Part of the Black Friday burnout comes from the seemingly endless stream of sales that have no end in sight. While there are pros and cons to this method, Chatman says that this season as a whole is a prime time of year for shoppers to save on holiday gifts.

Black Friday is still one of the biggest savings moments of the year due to its proximity to the holidays; however, its no longer the only one, she explained. With deals starting in October and stretching through the New Year, Black Friday isnt the only option for major savings.

Forty-three percent of shoppers start hunting for discounts in early November and 32% shop during and after Black Friday. Instead of a single best day of holiday savings, theres now a month-long marathon of savings."