Slow down, save your money: the holiday scam rule

• Scammers ramp up during holiday shopping because people are rushed and distracted, so a trade group is pushing a slow down before you pay habit

• Their three rules: pause if theres pressure, only send money to people you know, and verify any delivery/bank/message inside the official app or website

• Biggest red flags right now: anyone asking for gift cards, fake shipping/order texts, and fake charity or send me money messages that dont come through the companysapp or website

Holiday shopping is officially underway, and so are the people trying to separate you from your money. Thats why the Financial Technology Association (FTA) is rolling out a new Smarter than campaign aimed at teaching shoppers the one habit that stops most fraud cold: slowing down.

What scammers are doing this year

Miranda Margowsky, head of communications for the FTA said the tactics arent brand new, but scammers are getting more aggressive because they know people are shopping, distracted, and willing to pay fast.

I think we've all gotten the text messages, the calls, the social media messages that can really translate to a scammer trying to get you to send them money, get you to send your personal information, she said. Especially around the holidays, were seeing a lot of things. Were seeing gift card trying to get you to pay for something with a gift card, which is really a telltale sign of a scam.

Thats a big red flag: anyone who insists on being paid with a gift card is almost certainly a scammer. Retailers, delivery companies, government agencies, and payment apps dont take gift cards as in form of a settlement.

The FTAs three core rules

The campaign boils everything down to a simple sequence:

1.Pause before you pay

Scammers love when shoppers are in a hurry. They want you to feel like you have to act now, Margowsky said. Maybe its your package cant be delivered, your account will be locked, or this price is only good for the next 10 minutes. That pressure is intentional and taking 30 seconds to stop and verify kills most in their tracks.

2.Only send money to people you know and trust

The FTA represents companies like Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo, and Margowsky was clear on this point: those platforms wont contact you out of the blue to ask for your bank info or to send money.

Theyre not going to contact you proactively to ask for your bank account information, to ask you to click on a link, to ask you to send your information, she said.

3.Verify the source through an official channel

If you get a text or email about a missed delivery, dont click the link. Instead, open the retailers app or go straight to the delivery services website. Same thing if someone claims to be from your payment app or bank, always go to the app yourself and check messages there.

Two protections shoppers often overlook

Many consumers routinely skip two basic security steps that would make holiday a lot harder to pull off:

Use trusted contact methods

If you need to reach a company, go directly through the app, bookmarked website, or the number on your statement. Never click on a link from a text, email, or social post. Fake lookalike sites ramp up during November and December because scammers know people are searching for deals.

Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) and use strong passwords

A lot of holiday fraud isnt someone tricking you into paying, instead its someone getting into your account and paying themselves. 2FA happens when a code is sent to your phone or generated in an app that you have to enter to prove who you are. Always turn this feature on as it makes life much tougher for the scammers.

Holiday-specific to watch

Here are the ones that tend to spike right now:

Gift card payment : Pay this fee with a gift card. Real companies dont do that.

Fake order/shipping texts: Your package is on hold, click here to update. Go to the retailers app or website instead and check on the order status.

Charity : The end-of-year always brings out fake charities looking to exploit on peoples generosity. I always recommend looking up the group on Charity Navigator before donating.

Friend/family in need messages on payment apps: Always call or text the person separately to confirm that they actually need help before sending any money or help.

Ford, Tesla lead latest auto recalls affecting cars, trucks and SUVs

Teslas Cybertruck makes headlines again this time for an offroad light bar that can detach and become a road hazard capping a busy week in recalls dominated by Fords cluster of fixes covering everything from loose seatframe hardware to moonroof wind deflectors and inoperative rear lightbars on the F150 Lightning. Luxury and specialty makers also show up: MercedesBenz (AEB loss), Maserati (headlight aim caps), BMW/MINI (seatbelt retractor issues on multiple 2026 models), and more.

At a glance

Teslas Cybertruck recall headlines a week of fixes led by Fords multifront campaign

Teslas Cybertruck returns to the spotlight this week with NHTSA campaign 25V735, a fix for an offroad light bar that can detach and become a road hazard on 2024 models. While the remedy and ownernotification timing will come from the official filing, the risk is straightforward: any exterior component that can shake loose at speed endangers following traffic. This relatively niche accessory makes for a strong consumerinterest hook, but the broader story is the sheer breadth of safety issues this week spans from active safety features and visibility requirements to seatbelt hardware, defrosting systems and even labeling errors on trailers and motorhomes.

The volume leader is Ford, with five separate recalls touching mainstream nameplates and luxury spinoffs: Bronco (25V721) for a loose bolt in the drivers seat frame; Econoline (25V726) for an inoperative defrost/defog system on certain 2026 units; a moonroof wind deflector that may detach affecting Expedition, F150, Super Duty trucks and Lincoln Navigator (25V729); windshield air bubbles that can obscure visibility on the 20252026 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Corsair (25V730); and a rear lightbar that may be inoperative on 20222023 F150 Lightning BEV (25V731). The common thread: visibility and exterior component integrity, both core to crash avoidance and compliance with federal standards.

Luxury and performance brands arent exempt. MercedesBenz reports 25V711 for loss of Automatic Emergency Braking on the 2025 AMG G63 and G 580, a reminder that even advanced activesafety suites can face calibration or softwarehardware integration issues. Maseratis 25V722 addresses missing headlight aim adjustment caps (FMVSS 108) across Grecale, GranTurismo and GranCabrio a seemingly small missing part that matters for proper headlight alignment and glare control. BMW and MINI file 25V717 for damaged seatbelt retractors on a wide slate of 2026 models (BMW 228i/228i xDrive/M235i xDrive Gran Coupe, X1, X2; MINI Countryman S ALL4), where restraint performance is directly at stake.

Beyond passenger cars, a number of recreation and commercial vehicles are swept in. REV Recreation Group (25V718) warns of a paddle latch that may unintentionally lock the liquidpropane compartment on certain Fleetwood Fortis and Holiday Rambler Invicta motorhomes (20242026). Forest River has two separate items: XLR Toyhauler (25V727) for a freshwater tank that may detach and Coachmen Catalina (25V728) for tire damage risk from chassis contact. In the heavyduty/commercial space, Isuzu Motors Limited (25V719) covers Isuzu FTR/FVR and Chevrolet 6500XD/7500XD for an axle stabilizer bracket that may detach, with a long modelyear spread (20182026). Trailer makers also appear: CarryOn Trailer (25V734) for incorrect GAWR labeling and Jayco/Entegra (25V736) for reversed axle information on the certification label both reminders that paperwork errors can still rise to recall level when they impede safe loading and compliance.

Finally, Daimler Vans USA (25V725) recalls MercedesBenz Sprinter 2500 (20232024) over an improperly reinforced frame member, while Wartech Engineering (25V724) flags a braking performance issue on SpecialContainer (20222025) equipment. Prevost (25V738) rounds out the week with a wheelchair seatbelt anchor installation that may not meet FMVSS 210 on X345 Commuter (2025) buses a critical accessibility and safety concern for transit operators.

Why it matters: This weeks slate underscores how small parts (caps, latches, labels) and softwareenabled systems (AEB, defrost logic, lighting controls) can have outsized safety implications. For consumers, the practical takeaway is simple: act on recall notices promptly. For fleet and RV owners, several of these issues touch component security and labeling, which directly affect inspection compliance and safe operation.

What owners should do

1. Check your VIN at NHTSAs lookup tool (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and your vehicle makers recall page.

2. Watch your mail/app notifications for an official recall letter. Automakers must notify owners and provide free repairs.

3. Schedule service with an authorized dealer; mention the NHTSA campaign number above.

4. If the defect affects visibility, restraints, or fuel/LP systems, limit driving and park outdoors until repaired, as applicable.

5. Keep documentation of the repair for resale and insurance.

Quick checklist (callout)

• VIN checked at NHTSA

• Campaign number noted

• Dealer appointment booked

• Temporary precautions taken (if visibility/restraints/LP involved)

• Repair completed and paperwork filed

Prevention & safety tips

• Dont ignore warning signs: unusual noises, trim pieces vibrating, lights flickering, or defoggers not clearing quickly.

• Before road trips, visually inspect exterior addons (light bars, wind deflectors, racks) and verify theyre secure.

• For EVs and advanceddriverassist systems, keep software updated and dont rely on AEB/ADAS to compensate for mechanical issues.

• RVs & trailers: confirm GAWR and axle data on the certification label before loading; reweigh after modifications.

• Fleet managers: crossreference VIN lists against your asset register and stage repairs to minimize downtime.

Extended use may be associated with a higher risk of heart failure and death

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A five-year study of more than 130,000 adults with chronic insomnia linked long-term melatonin use to a higher risk of heart failure, hospitalization, and death.

• The research found melatonin users were about 90% more likely to develop heart failure and nearly twice as likely to die from any cause as non-users.

• The findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed, but experts say they raise important safety questions about long-term melatonin use.

A new analysis of more than 130,000 adults with insomnia suggests that long-term use of melatonin supplements often taken to help with sleep may be associated with a higher risk of heart failure and death.

The research, to be presented at the American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions 2025 in New Orleans, reviewed five years of health records and found that people who took melatonin for at least a year were significantly more likely to develop or be hospitalized for heart failure, or die from any cause, compared to those who did not use the supplement.

Researchers found that adults with chronic insomnia who used melatonin long-term had about a 90% higher risk of developing heart failure over five years (4.6% vs. 2.7%). Those with at least two melatonin prescriptions 90 days apart had an 82% higher risk of heart failure than those who never took melatonin.

Hospitalization rates were also notably higher: melatonin users were 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure and nearly twice as likely to die from any cause (7.8% vs. 4.3%) during the study period.

Not as harmless as commonly assumed

Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed, said Dr. Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, lead author of the study and chief resident in internal medicine at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care in Brooklyn, New York. If our study is confirmed, this could affect how doctors counsel patients about sleep aids.

Melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the body to regulate sleep cycles, has become one of the most popular over-the-counter sleep aids in the U.S. Because its sold as a dietary supplement, its strength and purity are not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Melatonin is not indicated for the treatment of chronic insomnia in the U.S., yet many people take it for extended periods without medical supervision, said Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, chair of the American Heart Associations scientific statement on sleep health. These findings suggest caution may be warranted.

About the study

The study analyzed data from the TriNetX Global Research Network, a large international database of de-identified electronic health records. Researchers examined adults diagnosed with insomnia who had taken melatonin for at least a year and compared them to a matched group of insomnia patients who had never taken the supplement.

Both groups were similar in age, gender, body mass index, and other health conditions. People with prior heart failure or those using other sleep medications were excluded.

While the findings show an association between long-term melatonin use and cardiovascular outcomes, the researchers emphasized that the study cannot prove cause and effect. Other factors, such as depression, anxiety, or the severity of insomnia, could also influence heart health and melatonin use.

Some current robots can handle simple tasks

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Hospitals and senior living centers are leading the adoption of service robots that handle basic support tasks.

• Experts predict home-assistant robots capable of physical caregiving are still 1015 years away.

• The goal is not to replace human caregivers but to give them more time for meaningful interaction.

As Americas population ages and the shortage of caregivers deepens, experts say robotics and artificial intelligence are poised to play a transformative role in elder care though fully autonomous caregiving robots remain years away.

We are still several years from robots that can safely provide hands-on care, like lifting or bathing a person, said Marty Puranik, founder and CEO of Atlantic.Net. Hospitals and senior living facilities are among the first to adopt service robots that deliver meals, transport linens, or carry medical supplies. The next step is bringing that same level of reliability into more sensitive, people-facing environments, like private homes.

Puranik emphasized that the immediate value of AI-powered robots lies in augmenting human caregivers, not replacing them. They can handle routine tasks that give staff more time for personal interaction, he explained. That includes reminders, wellness check-ins, or fetching small items.

Looking further ahead, he envisions robots assisting with daily living activities such as dressing, transfers, and physical therapy, but stresses that those will require extensive testing and regulatory approval.

Over the next five years, Puranik expects wider adoption of robotic assistants in assisted-living facilities as costs fall and capabilities improve. For competent humanoid caregivers, it will likely take ten to fifteen years before they are safe, reliable, and affordable enough for home use, he said.

A decade of development ahead

Brendan Englot, associate professor at Stevens Institute of Technology, agreed that progress is accelerating but that robots still need time in the development stage.

The technology needed to achieve this has been rapidly evolving over the past few years, but it still needs refinement before we can provide elder care that is safe, reliable, and fully automated, he told ConsumerAffairs.

Englot noted that lessons from humanoid robots already being deployed in other industries from logistics to hospitality will help advance elder care robotics.

The robot assistants of the future will ideally provide similar services to what humans can offer in occupational therapy or assisted-living settings, including help getting in and out of bed, getting dressed, or bathing, he said.

While at least one home-assistant robot is already on the market, Englot said the oversight of a human co-pilot is still needed. He predicts that within the next decade, robots could begin performing these complex tasks autonomously.

AI as a partner in care

Amruth Laxman, CEO of 4Voice, said that while AI-driven robots are not yet ready for full caregiving, their presence is expanding rapidly. Existing models can perform simple follow-up care, detect when an individual has fallen, and provide companionship, he told us.

The integration of multimodal AI which can interpret a combination of vision, sound, and speech is making these systems more responsive and aware of human behavior.

Automation of simple tasks such as medication tracking, aided doctor and nurse conversations, mobility tracking, and integration with social platforms to combat isolation are the most important near-term goals, Laxman said.

He predicts that the first economically viable elder-care robots will likely appear in countries like Japan and South Korea within five to ten years. AI systems will not replace human caregivers, he said. They will fill the time and attention gaps human caregivers are not able to cover.

Extending independence

All three experts agree that the purpose of elder-care robotics is not to erase the human touch but to enhance it. These systems can help people remain independent longer, Puranik said. It is not about removing humanity. It is about using technology to extend it.

As Americas aging population grows, the question may not be whether robots will take part in elder care but how soon and how well they will learn to care like humans do.