Consumer News: Worried about your job? You aren’t the only one

The company said the problem has been identified and is being fixed

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

UPDATE 10 A.M. ET: CloudFlare said it is continuing to work on the problems. Elaborating on the issue, a spokesperson said the company experienced a "spike in unusual traffic" to one of its services early Tuesday, morning, resulting in some traffic experiencing errors.

We do not yet know the cause of the spike in unusual traffic, the spokesperson said. We are all hands on deck to make sure all traffic is served without errors.

• Cloudflare experienced a major outage Tuesday morning due to a spike in unusual traffic, causing widespread errors across major platforms including X, ChatGPT, Shopify, Dropbox, and Coinbase.
• The company says it is all hands on deck, working to restore normal traffic flow; services are beginning to recover, though higher-than-normal error rates may persist.
• Cloudflare, known for providing security, CDN, DNS, and DDoS protection services, is still investigating the cause of the traffic spike while implementing a fix.

If you have trouble accessing websites Tuesday morning, the problem isnt with your device or internet service provider.

A CloudFlare outage is affecting X, ChatGPT and other major platforms. According to DownDetector, there were nearly 12,000 reports of problems on X as of 6:45 a.m. ET.

Cloudflare is a tech company providing a variety of internet services, primarily focusing on security and performance for websites and other internet properties. It acts as a security company, a content delivery network (CDN), and a DNS provider.

It also offers services like distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection, web application firewalls (WAF), and tools to speed up websites for users globally.

"We are seeing services recover, but customers may continue to observe higher-than-normal error rates as we continue remediation efforts," Cloudflare said on its status page early Tuesday. The issue has been identified and a fix is being implemented."

According to media reports, other sites affected by the outage include Shopify, Dropbox, Coinbase, online game League of Legends, Moodys and NJ Transit. In addition to ChatGPT, the AI platform Perplexity also experienced issues.

ERs treat hundreds of thousands of knife-related injuries annually

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Emergency rooms treat hundreds of thousands of knife-related injuries each year, many tied to holiday meal prep

• Orthopaedic surgeons urge home cooks to stabilize cutting boards, avoid distractions, and use proper tools

• Even minor carving mistakes can lead to serious injuries involving nerves, arteries, and tendons

As millions of Americans prepare for Thanksgiving feasts, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is urging home chefs to put safety first, especially when carving the holiday turkey.

Emergency departments treat hundreds of thousands of knife-related injuries annually, and many occur during routine meal preparation at home.

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with loved ones, not a time to end up in the emergency room, said orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Leon Benson.

Benson emphasized that a few simple precautions can prevent painful injuries that may take weeks to heal.

Stabilizing your cutting surface, keeping your hands clear of the blade, and using the right tools can prevent painful injuries that could sideline you for weeks, he cautioned.

While the turkey may be the star of the holiday meal, Benson noted that carving it safely requires more attention than many people realize. A slippery cutting board, a dull knife, or a quick glance at the football game can lead to deep cutsand in some cases, damage to nerves or tendons.

Tips for a safer carving experience

The AAOS recommends several steps to help keep Thanksgiving injury-free:

• Stabilize your workspace: Make sure the carving board wont slip or wobble.

• Cut away from your body: Always angle the blade outward to protect your hands and torso.

• Choose the right equipment: A sharp, well-maintained carving knife is safer and easier to control.

• Use utensilsnot your fingersto hold the turkey: A fork or carving tool can help steady the bird without putting hands in harms way.

• Stay focused: Step away from distractions like phones or football games until the carving is done.

Preventable injuries that can ruin a holiday

I often see patients whose holiday season has been ruined by an accident in the kitchen, Benson said.

Injuries sustained while carving turkeys or other holiday dishes can be serious, he added, noting that lacerations may involve nerves, arteries, or tendons. These simple tips will help you enjoy the holiday season without a hand injury.

Ford certified pre-owned vehicles can now be purchased online

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Customers can now browse, finance, purchase, and schedule pickup for thousands of certified pre-owned Ford vehicles directly through Amazon Autos, with all vehicles backed by Ford Blue Advantage warranties.

• Ford offers three certification levelsGold, EV, and Blueeach with varying inspection standards and warranty coverage, plus roadside assistance for added peace of mind.

• Amazon Autos streamlines the car-buying process by connecting shoppers with local Ford dealers, offering transparent pricing, vehicle history, and flexible financing options, all within a 75-mile radius.

Amazon Autos now has another source of used car inventory for buyers who prefer to shop online. The site has added certified pre-owned Ford vehicles to its line-up.

Amazon said the partnership allows customers to browse, finance, purchase, and schedule pickup for thousands of Ford CPO models from their local dealer, all within Amazons digital platform.

Fords certification program offers three tiers: Gold, EV, and Blue. Gold Certified vehicles undergo a 172-point inspection and come with a 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty covering more than 1,000 components.

EV Certified vehicles receive a specialized 127-point inspection and a similar warranty, tailored for electric models. Blue Certified vehicles, which may include Ford and other brands, feature a 90-day/4,000-mile limited warranty. Each tier includes roadside assistance, giving buyers confidence in their purchase.

Amazon Autos connects customers with Ford dealers within a 75-mile radius, allowing shoppers to filter vehicles by make, model, year, and color. Every listing includes transparent, itemized pricing, vehicle history, and full specifications.

How it works

After selecting a vehicle, buyers can secure financing, begin paperwork, and schedule a convenient pickup time at their local dealer. The streamlined process frees up dealership time for personalized service during the final steps.

All Ford CPO vehicles sold through Amazon Autos are backed by Ford Blue Advantage, which includes a 14-day/1,000-mile money-back guarantee and comprehensive limited warranties covering key components like the engine, battery, transmission, and electrical system. Dealers may also offer extended service plans for additional coverage.

Amazon calls it a win-win situation: Ford dealers benefit from this new digital channel by reaching millions of Amazon customers while maintaining control over pricing, delivery, service, and customer relationships, while the site has a new source of vehicles for sale. The program is currently available in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Dallas, with plans to expand to more cities in the coming months.

The addition of Ford certified pre-owned vehicles to Amazon Autos represents an exciting expansion of our store, giving customers access to thousands of quality vehicles backed by Ford's comprehensive inspection and warranty programs, said Fan Jin, global leader of Amazon Autos. By working with exceptional Ford dealers who share our commitment to customer service, we're creating a car buying experience that combines trusted vehicle certification with the convenience Amazon is known for.

Robert Kaffl, executive director of Ford U.S. Sales and Dealer Relations, added, Amazon Autos allows Ford Dealers to offer their certified pre-owned vehicles through Amazons accessible digital platform, while maintaining the benefits that customers enjoy from their relationships with our Ford Dealers. Its about delivering the best of both worlds to our customers.

Spot the fakes, dodge the tricks, keep the real savings

• Black Friday brings a spike in : ghost deal sites, fake delivery texts, bogus store closing ads, counterfeit luxury/tech, and fake support lines

• Stay safe by going directly to official sites/apps, checking URLs and seller names, and searching the store + scam before you buy

• Trust your gut on too good to be true discounts, surprise redelivery fees, and any request for wire, Zelle, crypto, or gift cards as immediate walk-away warnings

Black Friday weekend is supposed to be a great time to save money, not get scammed out of your hard-earned cash. Unfortunately, scammers use this time of year to try and take advantage of consumers who might not be seasoned online shoppers, and thus become easy targets. Law enforcement, the FTC, banks, and the Better Business Bureau are all warning that holiday are getting more sophisticated, especially with AI making fake sites and ads look very real.

Here are five Black Friday that can wreck any deal, plus what to do instead so you can actually walk away with some real savings.

1. Ghost websites that vanish with your money

What it looks like:

Have you ever seen an online ad for 7090% off a premium name-brand on Black Friday? Sometimes its pitched as a warehouse clearance or going out of business sale.

You click on the ad and the site looks fairly professional, uses brand photos, maybe even has a Trusted Store badge in the footer. You pay, and either get nothing (not even an email confirmation), a cheap knockoff, or a nightmare return runaround when you realize the product is a dupe.

This year, banks and regulators are flagging a surge in these fake or ghost websites ahead of Black Friday. Scammers throw up a realistic retail site, run some social ads, then disappear after taking your money.

How to avoid it:

• I recommend never buying anything directly from an ad on Facebook, X, or Instagram. If its a screaming deal on a Dyson vacuum, for example, get in the habit of typing the details of the deal into a new browser tab and see if the deal exists on Dyson.com or any otherlegitimate website.
• If you happen to click on one of these ads and visit a website, check the URL of the site carefully (look for extra words, weird spellings, or odd domain names like .shop-sale.com as these are allred flags).
• Look for genuine reviews off the site. Do this by searching the store name + scam or check the BBB for any info on them, either good or bad.
• If a site only wants you to pay via bank transfers, Zelle, or crypto, walk away quickly. Legit retailers will always let you pay with your credit card.

2. Fake order and delivery problem texts

What it looks like:

This scam shows its ugly head when youre waiting on five different packages and all of the sudden you get a text or email that says one of the following:

• Your package is on hold pay redelivery fee here
• We couldnt deliver your order click to update address

It looks fairly legit and many shoppers click on the link thinking theyre doing the right thing. Unfortunately, the link will take you to a site that looks just like USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, or a major retailer. The fee is often just a few bucks, but the real goal of these scammers is to grab your card number or personal info.

In 2024, the FTC says that fake package-delivery texts were the most reported text scam out there. Consumers lost a whopping $470 million to these types of which is a number that needs to dramatically decrease.

How to avoid it:

• The most obvious way is to NEVER click a link within a text or email about your missed deliveries.
• Instead, always go straight to your account on the specific retailers website (Amazon, Target, etc.) or the carriers official site/app and check your order there using the tracking number the retailer originally gave you.
• Always be suspicious of any redelivery fee or urgent request that asks you foryour credit card details or personal information.

If you did click and enter info, be sure to call your bank or card issuer immediately. Theyll walk you through what to do next as they'll typically want you tochangeyour password and enabletwo-factor authentication.

3. Social media local store closing scam

What it looks like:

Have you ever been scrolling and had a headline grab your attention because it referenced a local store and said something like, FINAL DAYS! Local store closing EVERYTHING 80% OFF!? Thats what this scam is all about.

By tapping into your location and using your city name, or photos that appear local, scammers ease you into thinking the deal must be legit. But the BBB is warning that many of these are just fake social media ads that lead to a scam website that either never ships the product or ships counterfeit junk instead.

How to avoid it:

• If a local store is actually closing, you should be able to Google the store name and see any news about the closure, including reviews, or a Google Maps listing. Also, is there a phone number listed? Call them and see if they actually are going out of business.
• Make sure you never trust a countdown timer or claims like last 2 items. Scammers notoriously use this urgency trick to make your brain think youre about to miss out.
• Im a huge fan of what I call the go direct rule. This means closing the ad completely, opening a fresh browser tab, and search for the store yourself. Trust me, a couple minutes of investigative work can save you a terrible headache later.

4. Counterfeit luxury and tech deals that arent really deals

What it looks like:

Counterfeit products spike around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, especially on online marketplaces and in third-party listings.

Specifically, sellers will list a bunch of Black Friday deals on high-end brands at suspiciously low prices. Think designer handbags, headphones, sneakers, sunglasses, consoles, and smartwatches, all at verylow prices. Unfortunately, many turn out to be counterfeits, or worst yet, never arrive.

How to avoid it:

Let your scam alarm ring loudly in your head whenever you see a deal on a luxury brand like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Lululemon, or Ray-Ban. The same goes for hot tech brands like Beats, Apple, and Sonos at 7080% off from sellers youve never heard of.

Start by taking a closer look at whos actually selling the item. Is it sold and shipped by the retailer/brand, or some random third party with a name you cant trace?

Unrealistic pricing is typically a deal too good to be true. A small discount from an authorized seller? Its probably a safe deal. A massive deal from a no-name shop? Walk away before they walk away with your money.

Also, dont forget about kids toys or items that will touch food youll eat, or your skin. Dont risk buying these items from 3^rd parties that lacka track record of sales and strong customer service. Its not worth the potential savings.

5. Black Friday support

What it looks like:

Two common twists on this scam will exist onBlack Friday weekend:

1. Lets say youre trying to complete your online order, but your shopping cart glitches and you cant finalize your purchase. So you Google Retailer + customer service and call the first number you see. This number turns out to be a fake support line set up by scammers to take your credit card number and personal info.
2. Or youre mid-checkout and something goes wrong, so a pop-up chat or ad promises live help. The agent then asks you to pay a different way viaa bank wire, Zelle, or even a gift card.

Surprisingly, this trick happens more often than you might think. Scammers are getting more sophisticated and using the Black Friday chaos to nudge shoppers away from safe payment methods that theyre accustomed to seeing.

How to avoid it:

• When calling customer support numbers, or clicking on chat links, only use those that you can find on the retailers official site or app.
• Never pay for an order via a bank transfer, gift card, or wire transfer because they claim their card system is down.
• If anyone claiming to be "support" asks for your full card number, PIN, or online banking login, hang up or close the chat immediately. Real companies will never need that information to help you with an order.

Geckos, women named Flo and good neighbor insurance salesmen are a big part of the pressure on insurance costs

Advertising costs are climbing faster than premium growth at some major auto insurers, pressuring expense ratios and underwriting margins.
Progressives ad spend soared above $1.3 billion per quarter in 2025, offset only by its strong premium growth.
GEICOs expenses rose sharply without similar premium gains, raising concerns about impacts on rates and profitability.

To hear insurance companies tell it, the natural disasters spawned by climate change are driving up their costs and forcing them to raise premiums and refuse to renew policies in some higher-risk areas. But other analysts say that surging advertising costs are as much of a problem as surging storms.

For major insurers, loss trends are improving but advertising spending is rising faster than premium growth. A recent Insurance Journal articlenotes that while both Progressive and GEICO benefited from declining auto claims in the third quarter, marketing expenses ate into revenue growth.

Progressive's third-quarter advertising expenses jumped $1.3 billion, a 10 percent increase over a year earlier, but a 20 percent jump in premium revenue helped to compensate. GEICO, on the other hand, experienced similar increased advertising and marketing expense with premium gains of only 5 percent.

S&P noted that GEICOs underwriting expenses have risen nearly 40 percent for two consecutive quarters, though its overall expense ratio still sits below long-term norms.

"Rising premiums and big profit announcements highlighta majorproblem: governmentsrequireconsumers to buyinsurance,butstatelawmakers andregulatorsdontdo enough tokeepit affordable," theConsumer Federation of America, a frequent critic of the insurance industry, noted recently.

"[Regulators]dont reject excessive premium increases, they dont aggressively fight unfair discrimination in insurance, and they dont hold insurance companies accountable for unfairly delaying and denying claims," said Michael DeLong, a research associate at CFA.

Does advertising still work?

Some industry analysts are beginning to question the heavy spending on advertising. As mass-market media outlets like newspapers and network television continue to lose audience, companies maintain and even increase their spending levelswithout evidence that higher spending is generating faster premium growth. GEICOs ad outlays for 2025 could approach $1.9 billion, roughly 35 percent above last years level, they noted.

Progressive faces a similar dynamic. Advertising spending soared in every quarter of 2025up 86 percent in Q1, 35 percent in Q2, and 10 percent in Q3 compared to the same periods in 2024yet its direct-auto quote volume fell 4 percent in the third quarter. New applications were flat in its direct business and down 5 percent in the agency channel.

Despite the slowdown, Progressive reported solid premium growth of 12.2 percent and policy growth of 15.1 percent. On the companys earnings call, CEO Tricia Griffith said the carrier will keep using advertising as a lever to grow, even in an increasingly competitive market.

This is when the fun starts, Griffith said, noting that Progressive is targeting Robinsonshouseholds that bundle auto and home policiesand sees a $230 billion opportunity there, Insurance Journal reported.

After raising rates about 55 percent between 2022 and 2024, Griffith said future increases will be more moderate, with some rate decreases already occurring in 10 states. Progressive aims to stimulate growth in 33 states identified as growth opportunities or volatile markets.

With ad spending now rising faster than new business growth for both Progressive and GEICO, analysts say the industry faces a delicate balancing act. High marketing budgets risk adding pressure to premiums and expense ratios at a time when customers are more price-sensitive and competitive shopping is increasing.

Consumers starting to notice

Financial analysts aren't the only ones taking note of rising insurance costs and shrinking availability: consumers are starting to notice too, said CFA's DeLong: "Consumers, consumer advocates, and policymakersare paying increased attention to insurance.Higher insurance premiums, insurance company misbehavior, and company withdrawals have brought a lot of attention to the insurance market,creating a spotlight thatprovidesconsumer advocates an opportunity topressforbadly neededreformsthat willimprove the current situation."

That discontent is starting to drive consumers to be more aggressive in shopping for insurance. A recent survey found that 16% of policyholders went policy-shopping in Q2 of 2024 compared with 30% in July 2025. Besides shopping for cheaper coverage, a growing number of consumers are also accepting higher deductibles, less coverage or simply dropping insurance altogether.