DISA, which provides background checks for employers including Fortune 500 companies,has suffered a data breach comprising the records of more than 3.3 million people, according to a Feb. 21 filing with the Maine Attorney General.
Hackers got into DISA's networks from Feb. 9, 2024 to April 22, 2024 and may have stolen information including names, social security numbers, drivers license numbers, other government ID numbers, financial account informationand "other data elements,"DISA said in a notice on its website.
"Not every data element was present for every individual," DISA said. "Presently, we are unaware of any attempted or actual misuse of any information involved in this incident."
Hackers often sell sensitive information they steal on the dark web.
The breach shows "there is no indication of cyber resilience" at DISA,saidJim Routh, chief trust officer at cybersecurity company Saviynt, in comments givento reporters.
"Storing SSNs for any purpose should require a higher level of security and using SSN to identify digital consumers is an obsolete data management practice," Routh said. "Cyber incidents occur in all enterprises so missing an opportunity to make adjustments to controls and processes based on the learnings applied from previous breaches is an indication of cyber resilience and a positive indicator."
Sophisticated hackers
The DISA data breach also shows that hackers are sophisticated enough to get into networks containing sensitive information for people that end up working at some of the biggest companies, saidJavvad Malik, lead security awareness advocate at cybersecurity firmKnowBe4, in comments given to reporters.
"Moreover, the delay in detecting and reporting the breach raises pressing questions about the ongoing monitoring and incident response strategies employed by DISA," Malik said."Regulatory implications aside, the slow acknowledgment and mitigation could erode the very trust DISA seeks to build with its partners and the individuals it screens."
DISA is offering complimentary identity-theft monitoring through Experian for 12 months for those affected by the breach.
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Check price history before you buy. Use CamelCamelCamel or Keepa to see if the deal is legit or just a marked-up fake discount.
Stack discounts in the right order. Activate cashback, apply the best promo code you can find, then pay with a rewards credit card.
Slow down and test the cart trick. Leave items in your cart and wait 2448 hours many retailers will email a 1015% coupon to close the sale.
Online shopping is definitely convenient, but if youre not careful, its also very easy to overpay.
Retailers smartly use things like countdown timers, auto-applied coupons that arent actually the best deal, and only threeleft! warnings to push you into a quick purchase.
But the good news is that once you understand how the system works, you can flip it in your favor.
Heres your practical online shopping playbook to save at practically any retailer.
Step 1: Start with a price history check
Before you even think about looking for a coupon code to bring your total price down, ask yourself one simple question first:
Is this actually a good price?
For Amazon purchases, the best way to figure out what kind of a deal you're getting is to use one of these tools:
These tools show the price history of any product Amazon sells, making it easy to see if the deal is real or just a temporary markup followed by a fake discount.
For other retailers, not named Amazon, Google search the following to see if the price is a deal or not:
Product name + price history
Or you can also check if the brand sells direct to shoppers. Often time brands will discount their own products more aggressively than online marketplaces do.
Pro tip: Heres a good rule-of-thumb, if the current price is within 5%10% of the lowest historical price, its usually safe to buy and a solid deal.
Step 2: Run the coupon stack (in the right order)
Never assume the promo code on the retailers homepage is the best one available.
Before you checkout, do the following:
Check the retailers promo page as they often hide the best promo codes.
Then Google: Store name + promo code + February 2026
Then install one of these browser extensions that will automatically find coupon codes for you while you shop:
Then once you have a browser extension installed, you can start stacking the discounts.
Heres the savings stack that I always aim for:
Sitewide promo code
Email signup discount
Cashback portal
Credit card rewards
Even if you only shave off 8%12%, that compounds across a year of online purchases and it turns into significant money.
Step 3: Always activate cashback first
If youre not familiar with online cashback portals, they exist to offer you cashback when shopping at individual websites like Macys, Best Buy, IKEA, and Walmart.
Some of the bigger players include the following companies:
Rakuten
TopCashback
BeFrugal
RetailMeNot
You simply sign-up and start your online shopping on one of these cashback sites, and you can expect these types of returns:
1%7% on everyday purchases.
8%15% during promo events.
Higher bonuses around Black Friday, back-to-school, and holiday sales.
I realize it doesnt sound like much, but if you spend about $500 a month shopping online, getting 5% back is $300 you werent getting before.
Step 4: Use the abandon cart trick (yes, it still works)
This is by far my most passive aggressive way to save money when shopping online, and yes, it still works in 2026.
You simply add items to your online cart, then leave without finalizing your purchase.
This will automatically trigger many online retailers to email you one of the following:
10%15% come back codes
Free shipping offers
Limited-time discounts
Of course it doesnt work everywhere, but it works often enough to make it worth trying, especially on significant purchases like electronics, laptops, and expensive clothing.
Step 5: Compare shipping thresholds vs filler items
Free shipping thresholds like spend $50, get free shipping are specifically designed to get you to spend more.
Heres the classic example:
Your cart: $42
Free shipping at: $50
Shipping cost: $6.99
So, if you spend the $8 more, and buy a filler item you dont need, youve essentially spent $8 to save $6.99.
Heres a good rule-of-thumb, only add a filler item in these scenarios:
Its something you were already going to buy.
It costs less than the actual shipping fee.
It wont cause you to overspend later.
I know it hurts, but sometimes the smartest move is to just pay the dang shipping fee.
Step 6: Time your purchases strategically
Online deals and sales events follow some very predictable patterns every year.
By knowing when stuff tends to get cheaper, you can time your purchases and maximize your savings when shopping online.
Here are the general timing trends you should consider:
Heres the real takeaway from this: If its not an urgent need, waiting a couple weeks to 30 days can make a real difference and easily save you 20-50%.
Step 7: Dont fall for the fake urgency
Online stores absolutely love to use tricks to make you think youre about to miss out on your only chance to save money.
Here are the tricks to we tend to always see:
Countdown timers
Only two left
30 people are viewing this
Deal expires in 05:00
Im here to tell you that these are all ploys to create fake urgency in your brain which always transfers down to your wallet.
Dont believe me? The next time you see wording like Only twoleft, do your own experiment and come back the next day and see what the site says. Often it will be reset to Only 10 left, or the wording will be completely gone.
Pro tip: If the dealhappens to disappear, just check a competing website for the same product and youll often find it even cheaper.
Always remember that scarcity isjust a marketing tool never a smart shoppers reality.
Flu vaccination rates among U.S. adults have fallen 24% since 2020, putting this season on track for a seven-year low.
Many Americans say they skip the shot not out of fear, but because they dont think they need it or cant find the time.
Health experts say even when its not a perfect match, the flu vaccine significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
Flu cases are climbing again, hospitalizations are up, and whats typically considered flu season seems to be stretching longer than usual. But while the virus is making a comeback, the flu shot isnt.
New research from Tebra suggests that flu vaccination rates among U.S. adults have dropped 24% since 2020 and this season is on track to hit a seven-year low. The study analyzed CDC FluVaxView data going back to 2018 and surveyed more than 1,000 Americans about their vaccine habits and attitudes.
The results paint a complicated picture: more than half of adults have received two or fewer flu shots over the past five years, and one in three havent gotten a single shot during that time.
So whats going on? Is it lingering vaccine fatigue from the pandemic? Concerns about safety? Or just the hassle of fitting one more appointment into a packed schedule?
ConsumerAffairs spoke with Kevin Marasco, Chief Growth Officer at Tebra, who broke down whats driving the drop and whether there are signs that Americans might start rolling up their sleeves again.
Fewer flu shots
Tebras research found that the overall rate of flu vaccines across the country have dropped 24% over the last six years. Marasco explained that there are several factors influencing consumers decision to get or not get the flu shot.
The 24% drop in flu vaccination reflects a combination of pandemic fatigue, shifting risk perception, and the politicization of public health, he said. For instance, during the COVID pandemic, awareness around infectious disease was at its peak, and viruses were top of mind for most people.
Were also seeing more young people believe theyre low-risk, so theres even less motivation to get vaccinated. Our survey also found that more than four in 10 Americans skip the flu shot because they dont think they need it, or didnt make the time to get one.
What are the barriers?
Marasco believes that the biggest barriers to getting the flu shot arent fear theyre tension and complacency.
Many people say they dont think they need it or simply didnt find the time. Inconvenient scheduling, underestimating flu severity, and assuming if youre in good health, youre low risk are key factors. Whats interesting is we found a majority of Americans say the flu shot is safe and effective, so its less about distrust and more about perceived necessity.
Marasco also explained that while social media definitely plays a role, its often overstated.
Based on our research, only 14% of Americans cite social media as their top source of vaccine information, compared to 64% who rely on their doctor, he said. With that being said, social media does push emotional narratives and misinformation at scale. While its not a primary source, it does shape perception, especially among younger generations; it reinforces doubts or normalizes vaccine avoidance and skepticism.
Risk reduction
For those who may be skeptical or opposed to a flu shot, Marasco offers a different perspective.
If someone is opposed to the flu shot, try encouraging them to focus on credible information and speak directly with a health care provider instead of relying on secondhand narratives, he suggested.
The flu vaccine isnt about perfection; its about risk reduction. Even in years where its not a perfect match, it significantly lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications. Its a small step that protects not just you, but the vulnerable people around you.
Issue: Rollaway Risk from Inadequate Parking Brake Force
Make
Model
Model Years
VOLVO
VNL (4)
20242027
Check your vehicle for recalls
To find out whether your specific vehicle is included in a recall, you can check by VIN or license plate on NHTSA's recall lookup page: NHTSA.gov/recalls.
If your vehicle has an un-repaired recall, contact your local dealership to schedule a repair recall remedies are provided at no cost.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. but its largely preventable with the right steps.
Simple lifestyle changes and keeping key health numbers in check can dramatically lower your risk.
Newer, noninvasive imaging tests like calcium scoring can help detect hidden plaque before symptoms appear.
February is American Heart Month and while it might come wrapped in red hearts and Valentines Day candy, the message behind it is serious. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.
The good news? Its also one of the most preventable.
ConsumerAffairs spoke with Dr. Christopher Maroules, Director of Cardiac Imaging of SimonMed, to learn more about the key prevention strategies and simple ways to be more mindful of your heart health.
Biggest heart disease risks
As the leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease remains one of the biggest risks to consumers health. Dr. Maroules shared some of the biggest heart disease risks to be aware of:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes or insulin resistance
Smoking
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Family history of premature heart disease
Lower your risk
If youre thinking about staying on top of your heart health, Dr. Maroules has some strategies for consumers to implement at any time of year:
Optimize lifestyle habits: Regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet (such as Mediterranean-style eating), maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco are foundational. These steps reduce inflammation and slow plaque development.
Control key numbers: Know your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and weight. Work with your physician to manage them proactively. Many patients assume theyre fine because they feel fine, but heart disease often progresses silently.
Consider preventive heart screening: For appropriate patients, noninvasive imaging like a coronary calcium score can identify early plaque before symptoms develop.
Many heart attacks occur in people who did not consider themselves high risk, Dr. Maroules explained. Even healthy individuals should know their family history, track cholesterol and blood pressure regularly, maintain consistent physical activity, avoid smoking, and have informed discussions with their physician about individualized risk.
Early intervention is key
Prevention is one of the biggest tools that consumers have in their arsenal to fight against heart disease.
Early intervention is critical because heart disease is largely preventable, but only if we detect it in time, Dr. Maroules said. Plaque builds gradually. If we identify it early, we can initiate lifestyle changes, optimize cholesterol-lowering therapies, control blood pressure more aggressively, reduce inflammation, and monitor plaque progression over time.
Advanced cardiac imaging plays a powerful role here. Calcium scoring identifies early calcified plaque. The future of heart care is not just treating heart attacks, its preventing them. When it comes to heart disease, knowledge truly is power, and early knowledge saves lives.
Bankruptcy fallout: Synergy World Inc. shut down its restaurant gift card program sold at Costco Wholesale, invalidating cards earlier than expected.
Money at risk: Unused balances may be lost since gift card holders are unsecured creditors in Chapter 7.
Act fast: Contact your local Costco about possible refunds and bring proof of purchase if you have it.
A popular multi-restaurant gift card program sold at Costco has suddenly shut down after its issuer filed for bankruptcy, leaving some shoppers stuck with unusable balances.
Heres what you need to know if you have one of these gifts cards and what to do in the future to protect yourself.
Heres what happened
Synergy World Inc., the company behind the Synergy Restaurant Gift Card program, announced it was winding down operations and preparing to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Although cardholders were originally told cards would be honored through January 31, 2026, a surge in redemptions reportedly forced the program to close earlier than planned.
As a result, both physical and digital cards tied to the program were abruptly invalidated. Some customers say they were able to use their cards before the shutdown, while others report restaurants stopped accepting them without warning.
Why this matters to consumers
These cards were marketed as flexible dining options redeemable at multiple restaurants in the San Diego area. They were popular buys for Costco members because they were sold at a discount through Costco.
Shoppers who bought them expecting a deal are now scrambling to recover their money.
When a gift card issuer files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, cardholders typically become unsecured creditors which means theres no guarantee theyll ever recover any unused funds.
What Costco shoppers can do
There may be a silver lining in this story, and a useful tip for all gift card holders across the country.
Multiple customers report that Costco warehouses are offering refunds for your unused Synergy gift cards.
However, responses appear to vary by location, and some stores are still waiting on corporate guidance.
If you purchased one of these Synergy cards:
Act quickly. Dont assume the card will still work.
Contact your local Costco warehouse. Policies may differ by location.
Bring your receipt if possible. While some shoppers say refunds were processed without proof of purchase, having documentation can help.
Print out your remaining balance.If youve used some of the gift card, bring documentation that shows your remaining balanceand Costco should refund you.
Call ahead. This could save you a wasted trip if your warehouse is still reviewing its policy.
Costco has a long-standing reputation for customer service and standing behind its products. But in cases like this, your timing does matter.
If youve been holding onto one of these discounted restaurant gift cards waiting for the right time to use it, nows the time to check your balance and explore your refund options.
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