Consumer News: Here are some phrases smishing scammers use to hook you

Since the start of the Iran war, mortgage rates are climbing

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Median U.S. mortgage payment rose to $2,742, up 0.4% year over year the first increase in nearly six months.

• Mortgage rates climbed to a six-month high, with daily averages reaching as high as 6.64%.

• Home prices increased 2.1% annually, contributing to worsening affordability and slowing buyer activity.

Home affordability just got a little worse. The reversal in mortgage rates, combined with still-rising home prices in some markets, pushed monthly payments up for the first time in nearly half a year, according to a new report from Redfin.

In March, the median monthly mortgage payment reached $2,742, marking a modest 0.4% increase from a year earlier, but reversing a roughly six-month trend of flat or declining costs.

The uptick comes as borrowing costs surged in recent weeks. The average mortgage rate climbed to a six-month high of about 6.38%, with daily averages hitting as much as 6.64% toward the end of the period analyzed.

Home prices are still rising

At the same time, home prices also moved higher. The median sale price rose 2.1% year over year during the four weeks ending March 29 the largest increase in roughly a year adding further pressure on buyers already contending with elevated financing costs.

Redfin attributed much of the recent increase in mortgage rates to rising oil prices and broader economic uncertainty tied to the ongoing conflict in Iran. Those factors have pushed up bond yields, which heavily influence mortgage rates.

Because of higher costs, there is less demand. Pending home sales fell 1.2% compared with a year earlier, while mortgage purchase applications declined 3% week over week, signaling reduced buyer activity.

Homes are also taking longer to sell, with the typical property spending 53 days on the market five days longer than a year ago.

Buyers pull back as supply builds

Spring is the most active season for home sales, but affordability challenges appear to be sidelining many would-be buyers, even as the number of homes for sale increases. New listings rose 1.7% year over year, contributing to a growing imbalance between supply and demand.

Redfin reported a gap of roughly 630,000 more sellers than buyers the largest on record dating back to 2013 highlighting a shift in market dynamics that could give remaining buyers more negotiating power.

Heres what it means for consumers

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Google agreed to a $135 million settlement to resolve claims related to user data privacy violations.

• Eligible users may receive direct payments or credits, depending on how their data was affected.

• The settlement also requires Google to change certain data collection and disclosure practices.

Google will pay $135 million to settle allegations that it improperly collected and used personal data, marking another high-profile case in the growing scrutiny of Big Techs data practices.

While the company has not admitted wrongdoing, the settlement aims to compensate affected users and address concerns about transparency.

Who is eligible?

The settlement is expected to benefit millions of users whose data may have been collected or shared without sufficient disclosure. While final eligibility criteria will be outlined in court-approved documents, affected individuals are generally those who used certain Google services during a specified time period tied to the claims.

This could include users of products such as Google Search, Chrome, or location-based services, depending on the scope of the lawsuit.

How compensation will work

Consumers who qualify will likely need to submit a claim through a settlement website. Payments are expected to vary based on:

• The number of valid claims submitted

• The extent of each users interaction with the services in question

• Administrative costs and legal fees deducted from the total fund

In similar settlements, individual payouts often range from modest cash payments to account credits or other forms of compensation. In some cases, users who do not file a claim may still benefit indirectly through changes to company practices.

Changes to Googles practices

Beyond financial compensation, the settlement requires Google to modify how it handles user data. These changes may include:

• Clearer disclosures about what data is collected and how it is used

• Enhanced user controls over privacy settings

• Limits on certain types of data tracking or retention

Advocates say these provisions are just as important as the monetary component, as they aim to prevent similar issues in the future.

The settlement still requires final court approval. If approved, eligible users will be notified typically via email or public notices with instructions on how to file a claim.

Consumers are encouraged to watch for official communications and avoid third-party sites that may attempt to exploit interest in the settlement.

An old scam is making a comeback

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Criminals are increasingly stealing and altering paper checks in a scheme known as check washing, costing consumers and banks millions.

• Simple chemicals can erase ink, allowing thieves to rewrite checks for much larger amounts.

• Experts say a mix of safer payment habits and vigilance can dramatically reduce your risk.

With digital payments, fewer checks get written these days. But that hasnt stopped a decades-old fraud tactic from making a troubling comeback across the United States: check washing.

Law enforcement agencies and financial institutions are warning that criminals are targeting mailboxes, businesses, and even residential neighborhoods to steal paper checks, chemically erase the original ink, and rewrite them for higher amounts.

The scam is low-tech but highly effective. Using common household solvents such as acetone or bleach, thieves can remove ink from a check without damaging the paper. Once washed, the check is rewritten often payable to a different recipient and for a significantly larger sum then deposited or cashed before the original account holder notices.

Banks report that check fraud losses have risen sharply in recent years, driven in part by this method. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has also flagged an increase in mail theft tied to the scheme, with criminals sometimes targeting outgoing mail left in residential mailboxes overnight.

How the scam works

The process begins with access. Criminals may steal checks from:

• Unsecured residential mailboxes

• Blue USPS collection boxes (sometimes using stolen or counterfeit keys)

• Business mailrooms or offices

Once a check is obtained, the original ink especially if written with standard ballpoint pens is removed. The altered check is then rewritten with new payee information and a higher dollar amount, sometimes thousands more than originally intended.

While anyone who writes paper checks can be targeted, certain groups face higher exposure:

• Small businesses that regularly issue checks

• Individuals who pay bills by mail

• Older adults who rely more heavily on traditional banking methods

Criminals also look for patterns, such as regularly scheduled payments, to make altered checks appear less suspicious.

How to protect yourself

Financial experts say prevention is the best defense. Key steps include:

1. Use more secure writing tools. Gel pens with pigmented ink are harder to wash off than standard ballpoint pens.
2. Avoid leaving outgoing mail unattended.Deposit checks directly inside a post office or hand them to a postal worker. If using a mailbox, avoid leaving mail overnight.
3. Switch to electronic payments when possible.Online bill pay, ACH transfers, and digital wallets eliminate the risk of physical theft.
4. Monitor your accounts frequently.Check your bank activity regularly and set up alerts for unusual transactions.
5. Act quickly if something looks wrong. If you spot a suspicious transaction, contact your bank immediately. Federal law and banking policies often limit your liability but timing matters.

Banks and law enforcement respond

Banks are investing in fraud detection systems, and postal inspectors are increasing enforcement efforts. Still, officials emphasize that consumer awareness remains a critical line of defense.

As digital payments become more common, experts say like check washing serve as a reminder: even old-school methods can create modern risks.

There are rising concerns that these devices are fire hazards

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Southwest Airlines will limit passengers to one portable charger per person starting April 20, 2026.

• Chargers must be kept visible during use and cannot be stored in overhead bins or checked luggage.

• The policy is aimed at reducing the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires onboard aircrafts.

Since the beginning of the smartphone era, there have been some close calls on commercial aircrafts, when batteries have overheated and started fires. Fortunately, none of these incidents ended in tragedy, but Southwest Airlines is taking steps to make sure none ever do.

In particular, the airline is rolling out stricter rules on portable chargers, becoming one of the most aggressive U.S. carriers in addressing the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries on flights.

Beginning April 20, passengers will be allowed to bring only one portable charger onboard, and it must remain visible when in use. The airline is also reinforcing existing restrictions that prohibit storing these devices in checked baggage or overhead bins, a move designed to ensure that flight crews can quickly respond if a battery overheats or catches fire.

Builds on previous policy

The updated policy builds on earlier measures introduced in 2025, when Southwest required passengers to keep power banks in plain sight while charging, rather than tucked inside bags. That rule made the airline the first major U.S. carrier to mandate visibility for portable charging devices during flights.

Airline officials say the tighter restrictions are a direct response to a steady increase in lithium battery-related incidents. According to federal data, dozens of overheating and fire events involving such batteries are reported each year, with portable chargers among the most common culprits.

Visibility is key, safety experts note, because early detection allows flight attendants to intervene before a malfunction escalates into a dangerous cabin fire.

Goes beyond existing guidance

Southwests new rule goes beyond recent international guidance, which suggested allowing up to two portable chargers per passenger. Instead, the airline opted for a stricter limit as part of a broader push to prioritize onboard safety.

The airline said it does not plan to aggressively enforce the policy through bag searches but will emphasize the rules during booking and check-in. Officials hope increased awareness will encourage compliance without slowing down boarding or inconveniencing travelers.

The move also reflects a wider shift across the aviation industry. Several international carriers, particularly in Asia, have already adopted similar or even stricter policies following high-profile incidents involving battery fires on planes.

Since the start of the Iran war, mortgage rates are climbing

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Median U.S. mortgage payment rose to $2,742, up 0.4% year over yearthe first increase in nearly six months

• Mortgage rates climbed to a six-month high, with daily averages reaching as high as 6.64%

• Home prices increased 2.1% annually, contributing to worsening affordability and slowing buyer activity

Home affordability just got a little worse. The reversal in mortgage rates, combined with still-rising home prices in some markets, pushed monthly payments up for the first time in nearly half a year, according to a new report from Redfin.

In March, the median monthly mortgage payment reached $2,742, marking a modest 0.4% increase from a year earlier but reversing a roughly six-month trend of flat or declining costs.

The uptick comes as borrowing costs surged in recent weeks. The average mortgage rate climbed to a six-month high of about 6.38%, with daily averages hitting as much as 6.64% toward the end of the period analyzed.

Home prices are still rising

At the same time, home prices also moved higher. The median sale price rose 2.1% year over year during the four weeks ending March 29the largest increase in roughly a yearadding further pressure on buyers already contending with elevated financing costs.

Redfin attributed much of the recent increase in mortgage rates to rising oil prices and broader economic uncertainty tied to the ongoing conflict in Iran. Those factors have pushed up bond yields, which heavily influence mortgage rates.

Because of higher costs, there is less demand. Pending home sales fell 1.2% compared with a year earlier, while mortgage purchase applications declined 3% week over week, signaling reduced buyer activity.

Homes are also taking longer to sell, with the typical property spending 53 days on the marketfive days longer than a year ago.

Buyers pull back as supply builds

Spring is the most active season for home sales, but affordability challenges appear to be sidelining many would-be buyers, even as the number of homes for sale increases. New listings rose 1.7% year over year, contributing to a growing imbalance between supply and demand.

Redfin reported a gap of roughly 630,000 more sellers than buyersthe largest on record dating back to 2013highlighting a shift in market dynamics that could give remaining buyers more negotiating power.