A fast-growing twist on phishing

Quishing, or QR-code phishing, is emerging as a fast-growing fraud tactic.

Consumer advocates say older adults are among the most frequent targets.

Experts urge skepticism of urgent messages and caution when scanning codes.

A new form of fraud known as quishingshort for QR-code phishingis quickly becoming a favorite tool of scammers, and consumer advocates warn that older adults are among the most frequent targets.

Unlike traditional phishing schemes that rely on suspicious emails or text messages, quishing uses QR codes to lure victims to fake websites or malware downloads. The codes may appear on mailed notices, parking tickets, restaurant flyers, utility bills, or even fraudulent bank alerts. A simple scan with a smartphone can direct users to a website designed to harvest personal information or trigger malicious downloads.

This tactic works because QR codes have become ordinary and expected, said Maria Phillips, a digital-security analyst with the nonprofit CyberSafe Elders. People assume theyre harmless, and scammers are exploiting that trust.

Why seniors are being targeted

Seniors are particularly vulnerable to quishing for several reasons. Many are still adjusting to QR-code technology, which became widespread during the pandemic. At the same time, older adults are more likely to receive mailed notices about healthcare, government benefits, or financial accountsprime opportunities for criminals to insert phony QR codes that appear legitimate.

In some cases, scammers place counterfeit QR-code stickers over real ones in public spaces. In others, they mail convincing letters urging recipients to scan immediately to avoid late fees, account suspension, or benefit loss.

Once a victim scans the code, they may be asked to enter login credentials, Social Security numbers, or credit card detailsinformation that can be used for identity theft or direct financial fraud.

Criminals know exactly which messages older adults are most likely to trust, said Denise Carr, policy director at the National Consumer Protection Council. The problem isnt carelessnessits that the are designed to look routine.

How seniors can protect themselves

Experts say the most effective defense against quishing is a mix of caution and independent verification.

Be skeptical of urgency. Scammers often pressure victims to act quickly. Legitimate companies rarely demand immediate action through a QR code.

Verify the source independently. Instead of scanning, users should type the organizations official website into a browser or call a known, trusted phone number.

Avoid scanning unexpected codes. Particularly in mail, on flyers, or in public placesespecially if the message involves money, accounts, or personal information.

As technology evolves, so do . Consumer advocates stress that quishing is not a sign of user error but a sophisticated tactic intentionally designed to blend into daily life. For seniors and their families, heightened awareness may be the strongest protection of all.

Old favorites Ford, Toyota, Suzuki lead the way this week

Each week, we track the latest vehicle safety recalls announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Below are the newest recalls affecting passenger vehicles, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and EVs. Use the linked Recall ID Numbers to view full NHTSA documentation.

NHTSA Recall ID 25V867

Manufacturer: Mack Trucks, Inc.
Subject: Rear brakes may overheat

NHTSA Recall ID 25V869

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Subject: Inverter may lose connection and cause a loss of drive power

NHTSA Recall ID 25V872

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Subject: Incorrectly installed third-row seat belt anchor

NHTSA Recall ID 25V873

Manufacturer: Suzuki Motor USA, LLC
Subject: Incorrectly tightened reservoir tank cap fixing screws / FMVSS 122

NHTSA Recall ID 25V881

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Subject: Software error may cause loss of drive power

NHTSA Recall ID 25V884

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Subject: Instrument panel cover may detach

NHTSA Recall ID 25V885

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Subject: Headlights may fail / FMVSS 108

NHTSA Recall ID 25V887

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Subject: Rearview camera display may not operate

NHTSA Recall ID 25V888

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Subject: Rearview camera may fail to turn off / FMVSS 111

NHTSA Recall ID 25V893

Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Subject: Tow hitch wiring harness may short circuit

NHTSA Recall ID 25V894

Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Subject: High-voltage battery may catch fire

NHTSA Recall ID 25V895

Manufacturer: Coach and Equipment Mfg. Corp.
Subject: Alternator may contact the fuel line

To find out if your specific vehicle is part of any open recall, enter your license plate or vehicle identification number into our Recall Look-up Tool. If your vehicle has an unrepaired recall, contact your local dealership to schedule a FREE repair.

Your rewards arent money and the court just confirmed it

• Chipotle can expire points (180 days) because earned rewards points arent legally treated like gift cards

• Dont hoard points earn-and-burn programs are designed to make unused rewards disappear

• Protect yourself: check the programs expiration rules and use the minimum numberof points on a small purchaseto protect your points total

A federal court ruled that Chipotle Rewards points are not gift cards or gift certificates under California or New York law, which means Chipotle can legally keep its 180-day expiration policy for points earned through purchases.

The lawsuit tried to challenge that policy by arguing expiring points violate state laws that typically ban expiring gift certificates. The court rejected the claim for a simple reason: earned points arent the same thing as prepaid money.

Why this ruling matters to consumers

Gift cards usually get stronger legal protections because theyre basically stored cash that youve already paid for. But when it comes to loyalty points, its often more of a gray area.

If points are earned through spending, and dont represent a pre-funded cash balance, companies may be allowed to put expiration dates on them. And its my guess that more stores and restaurants will do just that as it encourages consumers to come back to their locations and buy stuff.

Why the court sided with Chipotle

The courts reasoning boiled down to how Chipotles points work in real life:

• They arent purchased or pre-funded. Meaning you dont buy points the way you buy a gift card.
• Points arent issued in a set dollar amount. Your points balance isnt a $5 value, but rather 500 points that you can use for free guac.
• They dont function like money. You cant use points across transactions like stored credit. You redeem them for specific rewards and free add-ons.

What this means for you

If you tend to treat reward points like money you can sit on and hoard until they build up, youre going to get burned and end up losing your points.

Points programs from places like Chipotle and Starbucks are built to be earn-and-burn, not earn-and-hoard. The longer you wait, the more likely youll forget to use them and youll run out of time.

What consumers should do now

Heres how to protect yourself so you dont lose rewards you already earned:

1. Check your balance today and find the expiration rule. Check your account and look for something like points expire after X days of inactivity.
2. Set a 120-day reminder. That gives you a buffer before a 180-day cutoff hits.
3. Track your last activity date, not just your balance. Ive noticed that many programs reset the timer only when you earn or redeem some points, not when you simply open the app.
4. Redeem smaller rewards sooner. Waiting for the perfect big reward is how points die unused.
5. Screenshot your balance and activity history. If points disappear early for some reason, you can use that screenshot as your leverage when dealing with customer service.
6. Watch out for dollar-based credits. If you ever notice that a reward is labeled something like $10 credit, it may be treated differently than points. Meaning if it expires, you have a better case when dealing with customer service to try and get it back.
7. If points disappear unexpectedly, escalate. Ask for a supervisor, reference your screenshot, and request a one-time reinstatement. Companies often have discretionary make it right power even when the policy says otherwise.

Pro tip: Make one occasional maintenance purchase. Keep your account alive by using some points onsmall add-on, a kids meal, or even redeeming the minimum number of points for a cheap reward. One $3$5 transaction every few months can preserve a much larger points balance.

At least 5,000 people a year are dying in overdoses that involve gabapentin

Prescriptions for the nerve-pain drug have doubled in 15 years as doctors moved away from opioids and benzodiazepines.
Growing research links it to risks including dementia, suicidal behavior and dangerous breathing problems.
At least 5,000 people a year are dying in overdoses that involve gabapentin, often in combination with opioids.

Once considered safe, gabapentin is now under renewed scrutiny

Approved decades ago to treat seizures and the nerve pain that can follow shingles, gabapentin has quietly become one of the most widely used medications in the country. It was the seventh-most prescribed drug in the U.S. last year, according to the Iqvia Institute for Human Data Science, with about 15.5 million people receiving a prescription in 2024, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis found.

Many of those prescriptions are for conditions the drug was never evaluated for. Off-label prescribing is legal and common, but it means the Food and Drug Administration has not assessed gabapentins risks or benefits for those uses.

A go-to drug for a wide array of ailments

Some physicians say gabapentin can provide real relief for neuropathic pain caused by damaged nerves. But its use has expanded far beyond that niche. Doctors regularly turn to it for chronic back pain, anxiety, migraines, hot flashes in menopause, insomnia and even distorted sense of smell. according to a Wall Street Journal report. Veterinarians prescribe it to calm or ease pain in cats and dogs.

It seemed harmless, said John Avery who was quoted in the WSJ report. He took gabapentin believing it carried few risks.

Evidence mounts that the risks have been underestimated

Recent studies suggest gabapentin is not as benign as once believed. Research has tied the drug to higher risks of dementia, suicidal behavior, severe respiratory complications in people with lung disease, and swelling, along with well-known side effects such as dizziness.

A study published this year found that giving gabapentin to surgical patients did nothing to shorten hospital stays or reduce complicationsand more of those patients reported pain four months after surgery. For years, surgeons had viewed the drug as a tool to curb opioid use.

Dependence and withdrawal concerns emerge

While the medical establishment has long argued that gabapentin isnt habit-forming, some patients say tapering off the drug can be debilitating. Withdrawal symptoms, they say, make clear theyve developed a dependence despite taking it exactly as prescribed.

Still, demand continues to climb. Prescriptions have more than doubled in the past 15 years, a shift driven by efforts to steer patients away from opioids and anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax, which carry more widely recognized dangers.

Rising overdose deaths underscore the stakes

Gabapentin is often taken alongside opioidssometimes under medical supervision and sometimes not. The CDC warns that the combination can be deadly. At least 5,000 people have died from overdoses involving gabapentin in each of the past five years, federal and state data show.

Experts urge caution, not abandonment

Gabapentin remains a crucial therapy for many patients and is well tolerated by most, said Kirk Evoy, a clinical associate professor of pharmacotherapy and translational sciences at the University of Texas at Austin who studies gabapentin misuse. But its rapid spread into so many corners of medicine worries him.

We shouldnt be thinking of gabapentin as this safe drug we can just try for anything and see if it helps, he said.

Consumers were cautious but ready to spend on deals and discounts

Holiday spending on track to top $1 trillion for first time

Early data shows roughly 4% growth heading into Christmas

Shoppers stay cautious but still spend on deals, discounts

U.S. holiday shopping is on pace to surpass $1 trillion for the first time, according to new projections and early spending data from major retail trackers. Despite lingering economic caution, the 2025 season is shaping up to be another year of steady, if moderate, growth.

Early results show about 4 percent growth

Visa and Mastercard reported this week that retail spending from early November through Dec. 21 rose about 4% over last year, with electronics, apparel, and online orders among the strongest categories. Adobe Analytics likewise forecasts that online holiday sales will pass $250 billion, up more than 5% year over year.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has projected overall November-December sales growth between 3.7% and 4.2% enough to push total spending over the trillion-dollar mark for the first time.

Shoppers focus on value amid economic uncertainty

While totals are rising, analysts say the gains reflect a mix of bargain-hunting, deep discounting, and heightened price sensitivity rather than broad consumer exuberance. Surveys from Gallup and others show Americans budgeting carefully and planning to spend roughly the same amount on gifts as they did last year.

Consumers are shifting more purchases to discounters, off-price chains, and online platforms, while secondhand and resale markets have posted above-average growth. Retailers, anticipating cautious buyers, began rolling out aggressive promotions earlier in the season and continue to offer steep markdowns as Christmas passes.

Cyber Monday and early deal periods set the pace

Strong online performance helped drive the seasons momentum. Cyber Monday once again became the single biggest shopping day in U.S. history, with spending projected to reach as high as $14.2 billion. Retail analysts say the front-loaded surge has flattened some of the traditional last-minute rush, but stores still expect a lift from post-holiday clearance events.

Overall, economists see the 2025 holiday season as another year of cautious strength consumers still spending, but selectively and with more research and comparison shopping than in pre-pandemic years. Final sales totals will be released in January.