Consumer News: How to avoid falling victim to increasing tax scams this year

The industries offering real part-time perks for remote employees

• Focus on benefit-friendly industries. Health care, banking, utilities, higher ed, and government contractors are most likely to offer part-time remote roles with real perks.

• Target W-2 jobs and hour minimums. Many benefits kick in at 2030 hours per week; 1099 roles rarely include coverage.

• Compare total compensation. Health insurance and a 401(k) match can outweigh a higher hourly wage.

A growing number of employers now offer part-time remote work that include benefits, like health insurance and even retirement contributions.

But finding them takes a little strategy as most companies reserve strong benefits for full-time workers. Plus, part-time roles can vary widely in pay, stability, and other perks.

Here are the sectors where part-time remote jobs, with solid benefits, are most likely to show up and what to consider before you apply.

Health care companies

Health insurers and large health care systems are among the most consistent providers of part-time remote roles with benefits.

Companies like UnitedHealthcare and Humana frequently hire the following part-time employees:

• Customer service representatives
• Claims processors
• Care coordinators
• Telehealth support staff

And the good news is that many of these positions offer access to health insurance, 401(k) plans, and paid time offeven with part-time hours.

Health care companies often operate seven days a week and need flexible employees. This makes them a perfect fit for part-time, remote workers.

Also, another option in this field is medical billing. Many of these jobs are remote and they almost always offer benefits, especially for full-time employees. However, if you have experience, you can absolutely search sites like Indeed and find part-time work with benefits.

Pro tip: Always try to target W-2 roles, not 1099 gigs. This is especially important if health benefits matter, as W-2 positions are much more likely to offer them. Contractor 1099 roles almost never include health insurance, PTO, or retirement matching, no matter how flexible the job seems.

Higher education and online learning

Universities and education platforms increasingly rely on remote staff.

Institutions like Southern New Hampshire University and online education companies like Pearson and Khan Academy hire part-time remote academic advisors, enrollment counselors, tutors, and support staff.

Benefits often include:

• Access to group health plans
• Retirement contributions
• Tuition discounts
• Professional development funding

Education roles are especially appealing for parents, semi-retirees, and professionals looking to transition careers and want to start part-time.

Pro tip: Be sure to ask up-front about the number of weekly hours needed to get benefits. This is because many companies only unlock health insurance or retirement matching once you hit a minimum number of weekly hours (often 2030).

Government and public sector contractors

Federal, state, and local agencies increasingly use remote workers, even for part-time roles.

While not all government jobs are remote, agencies and contractors supporting groups like the IRS and Social Security Administration sometimes hire seasonal or part-time remote staff.

Public-sector jobs are more likely than private companies to offer a solid benefits package, including:

• Retirement plans
• Health coverage options
• Paid leave
• Predictable schedules

The tradeoff on government jobs is that they often have a slower hiring process.

The best way to search for these jobs is to visit USAJOBS, which is the federal governments official job board.

From there, use the Remote job filter when doing your search and be sure to include keywords like "remote," "virtual," "telework eligible," "claims specialist," and "customer service."

Pro tip: Be sure to do the math and calculate your total compensation, not just your hourly pay. For example, a $20/hour job with health insurance and a 401(k) match can be worth more than a $25/hour role with no benefits.

Also, be sure to factor in an employers retirement contribution, insurance subsidies, and even paid leave before deciding which offer is truly better.

Financial services and banking

Banks and financial institutions have expanded remote customer support as well as fraud monitoring teams that often work remotely.

Companies like American Express and Discover are known for hiring remote customer service employees. As long as you have a solid internet connection, they will train you andset you up with a laptopand the accessories that you need.

Some part-time roles include perks like health benefits, performance bonuses, and even retirement contributions.

These jobs often require a background check and prior customer service experience, but they can offer some strong long-term stability.

Nonprofits and mission-driven organizations

Large nonprofits frequently provide benefits to part-time staff, particularly those funded by grants or public money.

A great place to start is with the American Red Cross who hires remote workers (part-time), for customer care, admin support, and volunteer management roles.

Other organizations to consider include the Alzheimers Association who often hires part-time employees for their 24/7 helpline.

Benefits vary, but typically include:

• Health coverage eligibility after a minimum number of weekly hours
• 403(b) retirement plans
• Generous paid leave policies

To compete with higher-paying corporate roles, these employers often offer flexibility (and better benefits) instead of bigger salaries.

Customer service and tech support roles

Some major corporations have embraced hybrid and remote models permanently.

Retailers and tech companies such as Apple and Amazon hire remote support staff, including part-time positions during peak seasons.

Roles include:

• Customer Service Representative
• Customer Support Associate
• Virtual Customer Care Agent
• Chat Support Specialist
• Tech Support Roles
• Technical Support Advisor

Part-time benefits can include:

• Employee discounts
• Limited health care access
• Tuition assistance
• Career advancement pathways

However, be aware that not all part-time roles qualify for full benefits, so always review eligibility requirements carefully.

Pro tip: Be sure to not overlook seasonal roles to start. Companies like Amazon often offer benefits to part-time seasonal hires who work a certain number of hours during peak periods.

Andtheres a good chance a seasonal remote role can convert into a permanent position down the road.

Utilities and energy companies

Electric, gas, water, and broadband companies are known to hire remote customer support employees as well as billing specialists. And many of these roles come with real benefits, even for part-time work.

Companies like PG&E, Duke Energy, and Comcast regularly staff remote teams for:

• Billing support specialists
• Payment arrangement coordinators
• Outage support representatives
• Energy efficiency program advisors
• Customer retention agents

Because utilities operate year-round and are heavily regulated, they often provide more structured benefits than typical retail jobs.

Benefits often include:

• 401(k) with company match
• Health insurance eligibility at 2030 hours per week
• Paid training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Union protections (in some cases)

The best way to find these jobs is to search directly on the companys careers page using the term remote customer care or billing specialist rather than browsing online job boards.

Many of these roles dont get heavily advertised on sites like Indeed. Also, look for positions tied to energy assistance or low-income program support, which are frequently remote.

The front-of-box words that dont mean much

• Natural isnt tightly defined. The Food and Drug Administration offers guidance, but theres no strict, enforceable definition and it says nothing about pesticides or processing.

• Low and light can be misleading. Lower than what? Even legitimate claims like low sodium can hinge on unrealistically small serving sizes.

• Feel-good words arent proof. Terms like green, sustainable, and free range often lack real oversight and may be more marketing than standard.

Most shoppers know to scan the ingredient list and avoid products with stuff you can't pronounce.

But according to Tasting Table, one of the biggest food-label red flags is often printed boldly on the front of the package but its frequently just vague, feel-good language with no clear definition.

Specifically, terms like natural, light, low sugar, green, and sustainable can create the illusion of healthy eating, without guaranteeing much of anything.

Dont assume 'natural'means regulated

The word natural sounds reassuring, but it remains loosely defined.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued guidance suggesting natural means no artificial or synthetic ingredients and no added colors.

However there is no formal, enforceable definition. As Tasting Table points out, it does not address how ingredients were grown, whether pesticides were used, or how processed the product may be.

In short, natural does not automatically mean minimally processed or chemical-free.

Question claims like 'low'and 'light'

Words such as low fat, low sugar, and light are often relative.

Lower than what? A previous version? A competitor? Some undefined benchmark?

Even when a term has a technical definition, such as low sodium, the serving sizes can be small enough to make numbers look way better than they are.

This serves as a great reminder that without context, these labels can be misleading.

Be skeptical of environmental buzzwords

Labels like green, sustainable, free range, and pasture raised may suggest higher standards, but many of these terms lack strict oversight or enforcement.

In actuality, they can signal positive practices, or simply be smart marketing ploys.

Look for certifications with real standards

Not all labels are created equal.

For example, any products marked organic must meet federal requirements. Also, third-party certifications like Fair Trade Certified, overseen by Fair Trade USA, involve defined criteria and a verification process that you can rely on.

When a product carries independent certification, theres at least a measurable standard behind the claim.

The bottom line

I love the way Tasting Table sums it up by saying, Does a company care enough to prove the claims it's making, or does it just want you to swallow what it's selling?

So, the next time you see packaging with the words light or sustainable plastered on the front, its up to us to figure out what that means. Unfortunately, this makes eating a healthier diet a more time-consuming activity when standing in the grocery aisle.

New national data suggest pouch use is low overall but more common among people quitting cigarettes or vapes

• New research offers the first national estimates of nicotine pouch use in U.S. adults.

• Pouch use remains rare overall but is most common among adults who recently quit smoking or vaping.

• Very few people who never used tobacco products report using pouches.

Nicotine pouches small, tobacco-free pouches that users place between their lip and gum have been selling more rapidly as traditional cigarette smoking declines.

Because they deliver nicotine without burning tobacco or producing smoke, some scientists and regulators are watching closely to see whether they could serve as a less harmful alternative for people who already use tobacco products.

In early 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first nicotine pouch products for marketing, though theyre not officially approved as quit-smoking aids like patches or gum. That regulatory shift makes understanding who uses pouches and how is more important than ever.

As nicotine pouches gain increased attention in the U.S., many agree that we need to better understand who is using these products and how, researcher Mary Hrywna said in a news release. This study offers a snapshot of use patterns that is informative and, at least for now, somewhat reassuring.

How the Rutgers study worked

A team led by researchers at Rutgers University analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureaus 2022-2023 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey a massive household survey of more than 110,000 adults.

Participants answered questions about whether they had ever tried nicotine pouches, whether they were current users, and how often they used them (including daily use). The team also looked at peoples history with other nicotine products like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco to see how use patterns differed across groups.

To make sure the results reflect the U.S. population, the researchers applied statistical techniques that account for how the survey was collected, and analyzed differences by age, gender, region, and racial or ethnic group.

The results

Overall, nicotine pouch use among U.S. adults was quite low:

• About 2.65% had ever used pouches

• 0.42% were current users, and

• Only 0.18% used them daily.

Use was much more common among people with a history of tobacco use especially those who had recently quit cigarettes or other nicotine products. In fact, adults who quit smoking within two to three years of the survey were significantly more likely to be daily pouch users compared with people who never used tobacco.

Men and non-Hispanic White adults also had higher rates of use, while people who never used tobacco products (often called tobacco-nave) were almost never pouch users.

The studys design means it cant prove that pouches cause people to quit cigarettes, but the patterns suggest many users may be turning to them after quitting or reducing smoking or vaping.

People who have never used tobacco products should not suddenly be using nicotine pouches, researcher Cristine Delnevo said in a news release. But for people who smoke or use other nicotine products and dont want to stop using nicotine, switching completely from the more harmful product and moving down the risk continuum with nicotine pouches is likely good for public health.

What shoppers need to check in their freezers and why the USDA says dont eat it

• Over 3.3 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice have been voluntarily recalled because they might contain pieces of glass.

• The recall affects Trader Joes Chicken Fried Rice sold across the U.S. (plus a related product in Canada) and consumers are urged not to eat it.

• No injuries have been confirmed yet, but anyone who finds the product should discard it or return it for a refund.

Heres something every Trader Joes fan needs to hear: a massive recall has been issued for certain frozen chicken fried rice products sold under the Trader Joes label because they may contain pieces of glass.

The recall was announced by Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc., the Portland, Oregon-based company that manufactures the rice, and is being overseen by the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

What triggered the recall wasnt a routine check but consumer complaints: the manufacturer was notified of four separate incidents where people found glass fragments in the rice. The good news is that no injuries have been confirmed so far.

The FSIS and the company are taking this seriously. Because these products were distributed nationwide in the U.S., some might still be sitting in freezers at home or tucked away in the back of a grocery stores freezer case.

Products involved in the recall

In total, about 3.37 million pounds of product are part of this action, and Trader Joes-brand products have taken center stage.

Heres a look at the products involved in the recall:

• 20-oz. (1 lb. 4 oz.) plastic bag packages containing frozen TRADER JOES Chicken Fried Rice with stir fried rice, vegetables, seasoned dark chicken meat and eggs with BEST BY dates 9/8/2026 through 11/17/2026.

• 1.53-kg. cardboard packages containing 6 bags of frozen AJINOMOTO YAKITORI CHICKEN WITH JAPANESE-STYLE FRIED RICE with BEST BEFORE/MEILLEUR AVANT dates 26 SE 09 through 26 NO 12.

As a note, the Ajinmoto chicken fried rice packages were shipped only to Canada, and U.S. consumers wouldnt have seen those on store shelves.

What you should do

Heres the bottom line for shoppers:

• Check your freezer. If you bought Trader Joes Chicken Fried Rice with any of the affected best-by dates, dont eat it.

• Toss it or return it. Dispose of the bag safely or take it back to the place of purchase for a refund.

• No injuries yet, but stay alert. If you think you or someone else might have eaten something with glass and feel unwell, reach out to a health care provider.

The FSIS has resources and contact info on its website, and Ajinomoto Foods North Americas Consumer Affairs team can help with refund or recall questions too.

Median home prices rose just 1.1% from a year earlier while sales declined

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The median U.S. home sale price rose 1.1% year over year in January to $422,921, as a strong buyers market kept a lid on price growth.

• Annual price gains have remained below 2% for 10 straight months, a sharp slowdown from the double-digit increases seen during the pandemic.

• Buyers are gaining negotiating power, with homes selling for an average of 2.1% below list price and fewer properties attracting bidding wars.

Theres good news and bad news for would-be homebuyers. Home prices continued to rise in January, but the increase was small.

According to a new report from Redfin, the median home sale price climbed 1.1% from a year earlier in January to $422,921. While still a record high for the month, the modest increase reflects a market that has shifted firmly in favor of buyers.

Home prices grew so fast for so long that a lot of buyers got shut out of the market, which is now causing price growth to cool, said Redfin Senior Economist Asad Khan. With far more homes for sale than people who want to buy them, the buyers who are in the market have the power to negotiate on price, which is keeping price growth in check.

Increased negotiating power

In a buyers market, sellers outnumber buyers, giving shoppers more options and greater negotiating leverage. In January, the typical home sold for 2.1% less than its final list pricethe biggest January discount since 2023. Just 20.8% of homes sold above list price, the lowest share for the month since 2020.

Still, improved negotiating conditions have not been enough to spark a sales rebound.

Pending home sales fell 0.9% in January from the previous month to their lowest seasonally adjusted level since November 2023.

Existing-home sales dropped 3.6% month over month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.2 million, marking the steepest decline since late 2022. Overall home sales declined 2.3%the largest monthly drop in more than two years.

Illusive affordability

Affordability remains a key hurdle. Although price growth has cooled and mortgage rates have dipped, borrowing costs remain significantly higher than pandemic-era lows. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.1% in January, its lowest level since 2022, but still more than double the record lows seen earlier in the decade.

Wages, however, are rising faster than home prices. Earnings increased 3.7% year over year in Januarymore than triple the pace of home-price growth. Redfin economists predict that affordability will improve in 2026 if income growth continues to outpace price gains.

For now, many buyers are waiting on the sidelines, hoping rates will fall further. Economic uncertainty and severe winter storms in parts of the country also dampened activity in January.

Nearly 40,000 home purchase agreements were canceled during the month, representing 13.7% of homes that went under contractthe highest January share since at least 2017.