Consumer News: The ‘unpaid toll’ scam continues to draw complaints

FDA reverses course on talc oversight despite well-documented risks

Agency abruptly withdraws plan to require standardized asbestos testing
Move contradicts congressional mandate in 2022 cosmetics reform law
Health advocates warn withdrawal leaves consumers at continued risk

The Food and Drug Administration said today it is abruptly withdrawing its proposed rule that would have created approved, standardized testing methods for detecting and identifying cancer-causing asbestos in talc-containing cosmetics.

The rule was required under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022, which directed the agency to modernize oversight of personal-care products. According to the FDA, the Trump administrations decision to scrap the regulation will be published in the November 28 Federal Register.

Asbestos is a well-established human carcinogen, and public-health authorities say there is no safe level of exposure. Contamination has repeatedly been found in talc-based cosmetics, which are widely used as powders, blushes, eye shadows and other personal-care products.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) said todays move dramatically increases risk to consumers. Scott Faber, the groups senior vice president for government affairs, called the withdrawal deeply dangerous and irresponsible, adding that testing for asbestos presence is the only way to ensure that products made with talc are safe.

Faber also argued the action violates the 2022 law: Congress clearly required the FDA to require testing for talc in cosmetics.

Advocates say current testing misses dangerous fibers

Scientists have long warned that routine industry screening for asbestos in talc is outdated and inadequate. In 2020, EWG-commissioned laboratory tests found asbestos in nearly 15% of sampled talc-based cosmetics. The findings, published in Environmental Health Insights, highlighted significant gaps in the methods commonly used to screen for asbestos fibers.

Cosmetics companies have known about the risk since at least the 1950s, and the issue became public in the early 1970s. Despite that, the industry has continued to rely on testing protocols that can detect somebut not allasbestos fibers, leaving consumers vulnerable.

Inhaling even the tiniest amount of asbestos in talc can cause mesothelioma and other deadly diseases, many years after exposure, said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., a senior EWG scientist. It only takes a single asbestos fiber lodged in the lungs to cause mesothelioma decades later.

Long-term exposure effects remain severe

Exposure to asbestos is linked to asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung and ovarian cancers. Even brief, non-occupational exposure has been associated with disease onset years later. Some studies estimate that more than 60% of mesothelioma cases in women may stem from non-occupational exposure.

Talc remains a common ingredient in cosmetics because it improves texture, absorbs moisture, and serves as an inexpensive filleran ongoing practice that public-health advocates say continues to expose consumers to potentially deadly asbestos contamination.

Prevention tips: How to reduce your risk from talc-based cosmetics

Choose talc-free products whenever possible.
Look for labels that explicitly say talc-free or use alternative ingredients such as cornstarch, silica, or rice powder.

Treat natural claims with caution.
Natural or pure talc does not guarantee the product is asbestos-free. Talc and asbestos often occur together in nature.

Avoid loose powders, especially for children.
Loose powders are more easily inhaled, increasing potential asbestos exposure. Stick to creams, sticks, or pressed products when feasible.

Check brand testing disclosures.
Some companies voluntarily publish third-party lab reports. Favor brands that disclose how often they test talc and what methods they use.

Be wary of older products.
Age increases the likelihood that the product predates modern screening or contains talc sourced from mines with historic contamination issues. When in doubt, discard.

Dont rely on color or texture.
You cant see, smell, or feel asbestos fibers. Only validated laboratory testing can determine whether talc is contaminated.

Avoid using talc near the mouth or nose.
If you must use talc-based products, apply them away from the face and avoid inhalationespecially for children and infants.

Follow recalls and advisories.
Stay up to date on FDA alerts, company recalls, or independent testing results involving talc-based cosmetics.

Cybersecurity firms report an uptick in impersonation ahead of Black Friday

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Retail giant Amazon has issued a major security alert to its roughly 200220 million current Amazon Prime members globally, cautioning them about an uptick in sophisticated phishing attacks.

• The typical scam involves fake emails, text messages or calls telling a Prime subscriber that their membership is about to renewor that a payment method has failedthen directing them to a counterfeit login page to harvest their credentials and payment details.

• Amazon reports it shut down more than 55,000 phishing webpages and disabled over 12,000 phone numbers tied to impersonation fraud in the past year.

In a cybersecurity update earlier this year, Amazon alerted its massive Prime subscriber base that fraudsters are targeting the e-commerce giants customers with an array of impersonation designed to steal login credentials and payment information. That warning has been borne out.

According to several security firms, scammers are posing as Amazon representatives or as Prime-renewal notices to trick users into handing over sensitive data.

The most common ploy begins with an email, SMS or voicemail claiming the users Prime membership is about to renew at a higher cost, or that their account has been compromised and needs verification.

A conspicuous Cancel subscription or Update payment method link then leads to a fake Amazon login page. Once credentials are entered, scammers can gain control of the victims Amazon account and, potentially, any other online accounts using the same password.

Amazon warns that many of these spoofed messages contain personal details such as the recipients name, item history or even the last digits of their payment card data likely harvested from unrelated data breaches or dark-web sources in order to lend the email a veneer of authenticity.

What Amazon is doing

In its notice, Amazon states it has:

• Shut down over 55,000 phishing websites and blocked more than 12,000 phone numbers tied to impersonation .

• Introduced verified-sender badges (for example, in Gmail/Yahoo) so genuine Amazon emails carry the official smile-logo icon;

• Urged users to check their Amazon accounts Message Center for legitimate communications rather than relying solely on email links.

How users can protect themselves

Experts and Amazon alike recommend these steps:

1. Never click links in unexpected emails or texts. Instead, open the Amazon app or manually navigate to amazon.com (or your local site) and check your account status.

2. Enable two-step verification (2SV) on your Amazon account so that even if your password is stolen, the attacker still needs the second factor.

3. Use a strong, unique password for your Amazon account and avoid re-using the same password across multiple sites.

4. Monitor your credit-card and bank statements for unfamiliar charges, and respond quickly if you suspect youve entered credentials on a fake site.

5. Forward suspicious messages to Amazons abuse address (e.g., stop-spoofing@amazon.com) or report via the Report A Scam page in your region.

Why now?

Analysts say the timing of the alert is no coincidence. With large sale events like Prime Day and the upcoming holiday shopping season, users are already receiving more emails from Amazon about renewals, delivery status or deals making them more vulnerable to phishing attacks that piggyback on that noise.

Additionally, fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated in mimicking Amazons brand, styling emails and fake login pages to look nearly identical to the real thing, with womens names, order histories and other personal information that increases the victims sense of urgency or legitimacy.

Today's "influencers" will promote just about anything, with or without evidence

There is a lot of simplistic nonsense in the world, much of it relating to nutrition and health. False notions about vaccine safety arethe most glaring but there are plenty of other misleading claims that sound plausible but fall apart on closer inspection.

One of these is the claim that a chemical called chlorella can protect you from lead and other heavymetals that have been found in some protein powders and lots of other places. We've lately been receiving multiple beseeching emails from what is now called an "influencer" for Sun Chlorella, a nutrition supplement that supposedly blocks absorption of lead in the digestive tract. It can also be used as biodiesel fuel if you have any old Peugeots sitting around.

Sun Chlorella powder and tablets "clear toxins because chlorella doesnt allow lead, mercury, arsenic or other heavy metals to be digested. Chlorella binds to the heavy metals in your intestines, never allowing the lead to get into your bloodstream," according to the would-be influencer from an agency called ChicExecs Brand Strategy.

Any evidence for that?

And what is the scientific evidence for the supposed benefits of chlorella, which is basically sea weed? "With more than 900+ five star reviews onAmazon, customers believe in this industry leader to improve their health. Its $52.49 and available at Amazon, Whole Foods, Erewhon, Sprouts + more," gushed Kiley Long of ChicExecs.

Of course, whether customers like the stuff or not isn't evidence that it is or isn't good for you. It just means that spending $52.49 on some seaweed made them feel good about themselves. We've asked Ms. Long to share any clinical evidence she may haveand are waiting to hear from her.

Chlorella does contain lots of vitamins and nutrients that are commonly available elsewhereat less cost, according to a 2020 studybut there is no solid clinical evidence that chlorella in humans reliably traps heavy metals in the intestines to the point that lead never enters the bloodstream, as Chlorella promoters claim. Scientists writing in Nutrients said flatly that their study does not present robust evidence that Chlorella reliably binds heavy metals in humans and prevents their absorption.

There is solid evidence that some protein powders contain measurable, sometimes alarming, amounts of lead and other heavy metals, as we reported in October. Dairy-based powders were generally safer but most protein powders had at least some lead.

What's a health-conscious consumer to do? Well, for starters, determine how much protein you really need. The Mayo Clinic cites evidence that most Americans are getting more than enough protein. Some athletes, older people or anyone with a medical problem might need more and the way to get that, says Mayo and just about every other authoritative health information source, is to eat more food.

A well-balanced diet is enough to power most people through the day. It's best to avoid supplements since they, too, can and often do contain contaminants. It's also worth noting that taking in too much protein puts a load on the kidneys, which can cause serious problems for anyone with chronic kidney disease.

But what if?

What if you really are suffering from lead poisoning? It's possible if you live near an industrial plant, waste dump or other heavily polluted area. But regardless of where you live, you should see a physician if you or someone in your circle shows symptoms.

If lead poisoning is diagnosed, the FDA-approved treatments are chelation medications(e.g., EDTA, DMSA) when indicated and prescribed by your doctor. Unregulated, untested supplements like chlorella should never be relied on for detoxification.

Heres a clear, medically grounded overview of lead poisoning symptoms. They vary by exposure level, duration, and age with children being more sensitive.

Symptoms of Severe or Acute Lead Poisoning

These are medical emergencies:

• Severe abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Encephalopathy (confusion, agitation, altered consciousness)

• Seizures

• Coma

When to Get Tested

Lead poisoning is often symptom-free, especially early on. Testing is recommended if:

• You live in or frequently visit a house built before 1978 (lead paint risk).

• Youve done recent renovation, sanding, or demolition in an older building.

• You have possible workplace exposure (battery recycling, shooting ranges, construction, smelting).

• You imported pottery, spices, cosmetics, or herbal products from regions with known lead contamination.

• A child has behavioral regression, appetite loss, unexplained abdominal pain, or developmental concerns.

A simple blood lead level (BLL) test is the standard diagnostic tool.

Sellers are cutting prices as buyers balk

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Home-price cuts are becoming more common as the housing market gradually shifts toward buyers.

• Typical price reductions still hover around $10,000, but repeated cuts are increasingly standard as listings linger.

• Some of the nations priciest metros show the largest dollar discounts, while lower-cost markets offer the biggest percentage bargains.

Inflated home prices during the pandemic put homeownership out of reach for millions of Americans, but some of those prices are starting to come back to earth.

More home sellers have begun to slash asking prices sometimes more than once as affordability challenges reshape buying behavior and force a reset in expectations. According to new data from Zillow, these increasingly common discounts are helping bring long-stalled listings back into buyers budgets and fueling what has become the most active fall housing market in three years.

Although the typical individual price cut has remained relatively stable at about $10,000, homes are sitting on the market longer, and sellers are responding with multiple reductions. Many homeowners still stand to make a profit even after trimming their price, thanks to years of substantial home-value appreciation.

Seller flexibility

Most homeowners have seen their home values soar over the past several years, which gives them the flexibility for a price cut or two while still walking away with a profit, said Kara Ng, a senior economist at Zillow. These discounts are bringing more listings in line with buyers' budgets, and helping fuel the most active fall housing market in three years. Patient buyers are reaping the rewards as the market continues to rebalance.

The growing frequency of markdowns illustrates how quickly conditions are evolving for both buyers and sellers. Many sellers are leaning on agents to help them understand local market dynamics and price their homes appropriately a service sellers identified as the most valuable in Zillows Consumer Housing Trends Report. Buyers, meanwhile, benefit from clearer insight into how much wiggle room exists in list prices.

Where prices are falling most

Some of the steepest reductions appear in the countrys most expensive housing markets. Median cumulative discounts from the original list price include:

• San Jose: $70,900

• Los Angeles: $61,000

• San Francisco: $59,001

• New York: $50,000

• San Diego: $50,000

These large dollar amounts reflect high baseline home prices, even if the percentage cut isnt as dramatic.

Where smaller cuts pack more punch

In more affordable metros, smaller reductions translate to much larger savings relative to local home values. Pittsburgh leads the nation in relative discounts: a typical $20,000 price cut equals roughly 9% of the metros median home value. New Orleans buyers typically see a similar 9% reduction, followed by Austin (8.4%), Houston (8.2%), and San Antonio (7.9%).

Holiday deals come with new financial risks

Consumers facing high costs may be tempted by buy now, pay later (BNPL) and deferred-interest credit card offers
Advocates say both products can mask significant fees and steep retroactive interest charges
Experts urge shoppers to proceed cautiously and avoid promotions that seem too good to be true

As the holiday shopping season ramps up during what advocates call an ongoing affordability crisis, consumer experts are urging shoppers to think twice before accepting promotions that promise painless financing. The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) warns that both buy now, pay later (BNPL) plans and so-called no interest credit card promotions can trap people in costly debt at a time when household obligations are already at historic highs.

Buy now, pay later loans can make unaffordable purchases look cheaper than they are, and zero-interest credit card promotions can be a risky hidden time bomb, said Lauren Saunders, associate director at NCLC, in a news release.

Despite their appeal, these products often come with fine-print pitfalls and, according to the group, a weakened regulatory environment is leaving consumers more exposed than in past years. With the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) pulling back from aggressive oversight, advocates say its more important than ever for shoppers to protect themselves.

BNPL loans can mask high fees and repayment issues

BNPL services are marketed as an interest-free way to stretch out payments, but NCLC warns that lenders often charge late fees, bounced-payment fees and other add-ons that can quickly raise the true cost of a purchase. Consumers have also reported trouble cancelling BNPL loans when orders are returned or cancelled a problem that has left some paying off financing for items they never kept.

Managing several BNPL plans at once can be equally hazardous. With different due dates across multiple providers, shoppers may inadvertently trigger overdraft or nonsufficient-fund fees, compounding their financial strain.

Deferred-interest credit cards can deliver steep retroactive charges

Deferred-interest credit card promotions may be even more dangerous. Ads commonly promise no interest for 12 months or 0% until 2026, but the catch is buried deep: if the entire balance isnt paid off before the promotional period ends, the lender retroactively charges interest on the full purchase amount going all the way back to the original transaction date.

NCLC offers a stark example: a shopper who buys a $2,500 laptop under a one-year deferred-interest plan at 31% APR and pays down everything except $100 by the deadline would still be hit with roughly $430 in back-dated interest on the entire purchase.

Dont let deceptive financial promotions with huge, delayed charges ruin your holidays, said NCLC senior attorney Chi Chi Wu. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. Dont let predatory lenders put you on the hook for this years holiday spending into next year and beyond.

Tips for safer holiday financing

For shoppers considering BNPL:

• Consider skipping purchases you cannot pay off immediately

• Review all fees and be cautious about BNPL-linked subscriptions

• Track payment dates closely and avoid juggling multiple BNPL plans

• Monitor total BNPL debt and know your right to cancel automatic payments

For those weighing interest-free credit card deals:

• Avoid deferred-interest promotions altogether

• Dont stack multiple deferred-interest purchases on one account

• Pay more than the minimum payment each month to reduce risk