Consumer News: The 2025 holiday return-shipping 'gotchas' you need to know

Heres what to consider when socking away some cash

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Certificate of deposit (CD) rates have climbed to multi-year highs as banks compete for deposits in a higher interest-rate environment.

• Savers can now earn significantly more on CDs than they could just a few years ago, but rates vary widely among financial institutions.

• Before opening a CD, consumers should compare yields, evaluate term lengths, and understand early withdrawal penalties.

Its been a while since certificates of deposit (CDs) have been newsworthy. For nearly two decades, the interest paid on CDs has been practically nil.

But after years of historically low returns, CDs are once again attracting attention from savers. Higher interest rates on U.S. Treasury bonds have prompted banks and credit unions to boost CD yields, allowing consumers to earn substantially more on their savings while avoiding the volatility of the stock market.

While the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes over the past several years started to lift rates, the spike in Treasury yields in recent weeks has also contributed to the rise. As savers began to actively look at CDs again, banks have found themselves competing more aggressively for deposits, resulting in even higher yields on savings products, including CDs.

A search of the internet shows some six to 12-month CDs are paying an interest rate of between 4.23% and 4.5%.

Whats attractive about CDs

For consumers seeking a safe place to park cash, CDs can provide a guaranteed return for a fixed period. Unlike stocks and mutual funds, CD principal is generally protected by federal deposit insurance when held at insured banks and credit unions within applicable limits.

However, financial advisors say savers should look beyond the advertised annual percentage yield (APY) when selecting a CD.

Compare rates across institutions

One of the biggest mistakes consumers make is accepting the first CD offer from their primary bank. Online banks and credit unions frequently offer higher yields than traditional brick-and-mortar institutions. A difference of even half a percentage point can translate into meaningful additional earnings over time.

Choose the right term length

CDs are available in a variety of terms, ranging from a few months to five years or longer. Longer-term CDs often offer higher yields, but that isn't always the case. In some market environments, shorter-term CDs may provide comparable or even better returns.

Consumers should consider when they may need access to their money before committing to a specific term.

Understand withdrawal penalties

A key feature of CDs is that depositors agree to leave their money untouched for a predetermined period. Withdrawing funds early typically triggers a penalty that can reduce or even eliminate some of the interest earned.

Before opening a CD, consumers should review the institution's early withdrawal policy and ensure the funds won't be needed before maturity.

Consider laddering strategies

Some savers use a strategy known as CD laddering, which involves dividing money among multiple CDs with different maturity dates. This approach can provide periodic access to funds while allowing savers to take advantage of competitive rates across various terms.

A ladder can also reduce the risk of locking all savings into a single rate if interest rates continue to change.

Look beyond the headline yield

The highest advertised rate is not always the best choice. Savers should verify that the institution is federally insured, review minimum deposit requirements, and evaluate account features and customer service.

With CD rates remaining attractive compared with recent years, consumers willing to shop around and carefully evaluate their options may find an opportunity to earn more on their savings while maintaining a relatively low level of risk.

So far, its proving to be a valuable tool

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• New artificial intelligence tools are helping doctors identify serious diseases more quickly and accurately by analyzing medical images.

• Mayo Clinic researchers found AI can predict brain tumor recurrence risk without expensive genetic testing.

• A separate study found AI can improve detection of retinal diseases and may even reveal risks for heart, kidney, and vascular conditions through routine eye scans.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly showing up in the doctors office, helping physicians identify disease risks, improve diagnoses, and potentially personalize treatment plans without adding costly tests or procedures.

Two newly published studies highlight how AI is transforming patient care in specialties ranging from cancer treatment to ophthalmology, offering doctors new tools to uncover critical health information hidden in routine medical images.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic and collaborating institutions have developed an AI model that can analyze standard pathology slides to classify meningiomas the most common primary brain tumor in adults and predict the likelihood that a tumor will return after treatment.

A major shortcut

Currently, determining recurrence risk often requires advanced molecular or genetic testing that may not be available at every medical center. The new AI system extracts similar insights from routine pathology images, potentially making sophisticated tumor analysis more accessible and affordable.

The researchers trained the model using tissue samples, pathology images, and clinical data from 672 patients. The findings suggest that AI can identify molecular patterns associated with tumor behavior and recurrence risk that may not be readily visible to the human eye.

For physicians, that information could help guide decisions about follow-up care, imaging schedules, and whether additional treatments such as radiation therapy should be considered.

Helping eye doctors diagnose disease faster

In a separate study, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine developed an AI system called OCTCube-M that analyzes three-dimensional retinal scans commonly used in eye clinics. The technology is designed to help physicians process large volumes of imaging data more quickly and identify subtle signs of disease that might otherwise be overlooked.

The system was trained using more than 26,000 retinal scans containing approximately 1.62 million individual image slices. Compared with older AI approaches, OCTCube-M improved detection accuracy for six of eight retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness among older adults.

Researchers estimate the improvement could help identify dozens of additional disease cases for every 1,000 patients screened. The model also significantly improved predictions about how quickly geographic atrophy, a severe form of macular degeneration, is likely to progress.

Looking Beyond the Eye

One of the most intriguing findings from the retinal imaging study is AI's ability to identify signs of health conditions beyond vision problems.

Researchers found that retinal images contain clues associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, stroke, and heart attack risk. Because the retina's tiny blood vessels closely mirror those found elsewhere in the body, changes visible in eye scans can provide insights into overall vascular health.

The ability to extract that information from a routine eye exam could eventually help doctors identify high-risk patients earlier and intervene before serious health problems develop.

A tool for doctors, not a replacement

While both studies demonstrate the growing capabilities of AI in healthcare, researchers emphasize that the technology is designed to support physicians rather than replace them.

By rapidly analyzing large amounts of imaging data and highlighting patterns that may be difficult for humans to detect, AI can help doctors make more informed decisions, prioritize high-risk patients and deliver more personalized care.

As healthcare systems face growing patient demands and increasing volumes of medical data, these emerging AI tools could become valuable assistants in improving both the speed and quality of patient care.

A court ruled the company falsely promised to reduce mortgage payments

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The FTC is returning nearly $3 million to homeowners who were deceived by a mortgage relief scheme operating under multiple company names.

• A federal court found the companies falsely promised to lower mortgage payments and prevent foreclosures while collecting millions from struggling consumers.

• The FTC is mailing refund checks to 1,821 affected homeowners, who must cash them within 90 days.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing nearly $3 million in refunds to homeowners who were allegedly deceived by a mortgage relief operation that falsely promised to reduce mortgage payments and help consumers avoid foreclosure.

The refunds stem from a lawsuit filed by the FTC and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation against Golden Home Services and several related companies. According to regulators, the operation targeted financially distressed homeowners seeking mortgage assistance and collected millions of dollars through deceptive practices.

A federal court found that the scheme, which operated under several names including Home Matters USA, Academy Home Services, Amstar Service Group, Atlantic Pacific Service Group, Home Relief Service of America, and Westwood Advocates, misled consumers with false promises of mortgage relief.

As part of the court's ruling, the companies and their operators were permanently banned from the telemarketing and debt relief industries. The court also ordered them to pay millions of dollars.

The FTC said it is mailing checks to 1,821 affected homeowners. Recipients are advised to cash their checks within 90 days of receipt.

What to do

Consumers with questions about their refund can contact the refund administrator, JND Legal Administration, at 1-833-674-0067. Additional information about the refund process is available through the FTC's website.

The agency emphasized that consumers never have to pay money or provide financial account information in order to receive an FTC refund payment.

Study shows more consumers are using AI to find the best rates

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Auto insurance customers are increasingly using AI tools to compare coverage, and those shoppers are more likely to switch insurers.

• Overall customer satisfaction with auto insurers remained flat in 2026 despite modest improvements in pricing satisfaction.

• Insurers continue to struggle with seamless customer service, particularly when customers must switch between communication channels to resolve issues.

Lately, car insurance has been a pain point for consumers. Its gotten more expensive, and sometimes harder to acquire.

However, AI-powered shopping is reshaping the auto insurance market as customers gain more leverage in a softening market, according to the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

While rising premiums that plagued drivers in recent years have begun to ease, insurers face a new challenge: meeting growing customer expectations for seamless service across digital and traditional channels.

The market has clearly shifted from a pricing crisis to an experience challenge, said Stephen Crewdson, managing director of insurance business intelligence at J.D. Power. Rates are stabilizing, but many customers still say their interactions arent seamless especially when they must switch channels to resolve a single inquiry.

The annual study found overall customer satisfaction with auto insurers remained unchanged from last year at 644 on a 1,000-point scale. Satisfaction with pricing improved slightly, however, as fewer consumers experienced insurer-initiated rate increases and more reported receiving discounts and useful policy information.

Customers who saw their premiums increase reported significantly lower satisfaction, with price satisfaction scores dropping 155 points compared with policyholders whose rates remained stable or declined.

AI becomes a shopping tool

Separate J.D. Power data shows nearly one-third (32%) of auto insurance shoppers now use artificial intelligence tools during their search for coverage. Consumers most often use AI to answer general insurance questions, compare policies, obtain quotes, and assist with purchasing decisions.

The trend appears to be influencing market competition. According to the study, shoppers who use AI are more than 1.3 times more likely to switch insurers than those who do not.

At the same time, one-third of AI users said the information they received was not helpful, suggesting consumers are still experimenting with the technology while seeking clearer explanations of coverage options.

The findings indicate that customers increasingly turn to AI when insurers fail to provide information in an easily understandable format.

Channel switching remains a frustration

Despite ongoing investments in digital tools, insurers continue to struggle when customers must move between communication channels to resolve a problem.

Nearly half (46%) of customers interacted with their insurer through multiple channels during the past year. Satisfaction remained relatively stable when consumers used several channels for different purposes. Problems emerged when customers were forced to switch channels to resolve a single inquiry.

About 21% of customers reported such a cross-channel experience, which was associated with lower satisfaction and reduced renewal intentions.

Agents proved to be the most effective at resolving these issues, successfully resolving 91% of inquiries once involved. By contrast, resolution rates were lowest when customers were directed to company websites, where only 66% of issues were resolved.

Policy understanding declines

The study also found that fewer drivers fully understand their auto insurance coverage. Only 58% of customers said they completely understand their policy and what it covers, down four percentage points from 2025.

That knowledge gap has significant consequences. Customers who fully understand their policies reported satisfaction levels 127 points higher than those who do not. They were also more likely to renew coverage, recommend their insurer, and avoid shopping for a new policy.

Policy understanding had the strongest effect on perceptions of price, boosting satisfaction with coverage costs by 141 points.

Regional winners

J.D. Power ranked insurers across 11 geographic regions and in the usage-based insurance category.

Top performers included Wawanesa in California, Shelter Insurance in the Central region, Erie Insurance in the Mid-Atlantic, North Central and Southeast regions, and Amica in New England.

Travelers led New York, State Farm ranked highest in the Northwest, CSAA Insurance Group (AAA) topped the Southwest, and Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) led Texas.

Nationwide earned the highest score among usage-based insurance providers for the third consecutive year.

The 2026 study is based on responses from 52,216 auto insurance customers collected between April 2025 and April 2026. Customer satisfaction was measured across seven dimensions: trust, price for coverage, people, ease of doing business, product and coverage offerings, problem resolution, and digital channels.

Heres what to consider when socking away some cash

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Certificate of deposit (CD) rates have climbed to multi-year highs as banks compete for deposits in a higher interest-rate environment.

• Savers can now earn significantly more on CDs than they could just a few years ago, but rates vary widely among financial institutions.

• Before opening a CD, consumers should compare yields, evaluate term lengths, and understand early withdrawal penalties.

Its been a while since certificates of deposit have been newsworthy. For nearly two decades, the interest paid on CDs has been practically nil.

But after years of historically low returns, CDs are once again attracting attention from savers. Higher interest rates on U.S. Treasury bonds have prompted banks and credit unions to boost CD yields, allowing consumers to earn substantially more on their savings while avoiding the volatility of the stock market.

While the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes over the past several years started to lift rates, the spike in Treasury yields in recent weeks has also contributed to the rise. As savers began to actively look at CDs again, banks have found themselves competing more aggressively for deposits, resulting in even higher yields on savings products, including CDs.

A search of the internet shows some six to 12-month CDs are paying an interest rate of between 4.23% and 4.5%.

Whats attractive about CDs

For consumers seeking a safe place to park cash, CDs can provide a guaranteed return for a fixed period. Unlike stocks and mutual funds, CD principal is generally protected by federal deposit insurance when held at insured banks and credit unions within applicable limits.

However, financial advisors say savers should look beyond the advertised annual percentage yield (APY) when selecting a CD.

Compare rates across institutions

One of the biggest mistakes consumers make is accepting the first CD offer from their primary bank. Online banks and credit unions frequently offer higher yields than traditional brick-and-mortar institutions. A difference of even half a percentage point can translate into meaningful additional earnings over time.

Choose the right term length

CDs are available in a variety of terms, ranging from a few months to five years or longer. Longer-term CDs often offer higher yields, but that isn't always the case. In some market environments, shorter-term CDs may provide comparable or even better returns.

Consumers should consider when they may need access to their money before committing to a specific term.

Understand withdrawal penalties

A key feature of CDs is that depositors agree to leave their money untouched for a predetermined period. Withdrawing funds early typically triggers a penalty that can reduce or even eliminate some of the interest earned.

Before opening a CD, consumers should review the institution's early withdrawal policy and ensure the funds won't be needed before maturity.

Consider laddering strategies

Some savers use a strategy known as CD laddering, which involves dividing money among multiple CDs with different maturity dates. This approach can provide periodic access to funds while allowing savers to take advantage of competitive rates across various terms.

A ladder can also reduce the risk of locking all savings into a single rate if interest rates continue to change.

Look beyond the headline yield

The highest advertised rate is not always the best choice. Savers should verify that the institution is federally insured, review minimum deposit requirements, and evaluate account features and customer service.

With CD rates remaining attractive compared with recent years, consumers willing to shop around and carefully evaluate their options may find an opportunity to earn more on their savings while maintaining a relatively low level of risk.