Consumer News: Employment grew slightly in November, suggesting a stable labor market

Formula tied to unprecedented infant botulism outbreak

• FDA says major retailers continued selling recalled infant formula linked to a first-ever U.S. botulism outbreak

• ByHeart formula has been tied to at least 51 suspected or confirmed infant botulism cases in 19 states

• Agency warns companies could face seizures or injunctions if failures arent corrected

FDA issues stern warning letters to retailers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sent warning letters to Walmart, Target, Kroger and Albertsons after investigators found the retailers continued selling recalled baby formula linked to an outbreak of infant botulism.

In letters released Monday, the FDA said the companies failed to promptly remove ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula from store shelves even after the product was recalled in November due to its connection to the outbreak.

Failure to adequately address this matter may result in legal action, including, without limitation, seizure and injunction, the FDA warned.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has described the outbreak as unprecedented, calling it the first-ever infant botulism outbreak identified in the United States.

As of Dec. 10, the formula had been linked to at least 51 suspected or confirmed cases of infant botulism across 19 states, according to the FDA letters. The CDC determined the formula was the source of the outbreak, the agency said.

Major retailers were notified of the initial recall on Nov. 8, and ByHeart expanded the recall to all of its products on Nov. 11.

FDA says retailers failed to act or explain how they did

Despite the recalls, FDA investigators found the formula remained for sale well afterward at multiple chains.

Target continued selling the recalled formula in stores across 20 states well after the recall was initiated and subsequently expanded, the FDA said, adding that the product was still displayed with promotional discount signage more than two weeks after the first recall.

Walmart continued selling the formula across 21 states, while Kroger and some of its affiliate stores sold it in 10 states. Albertsons stores continued sales in 11 states, according to the FDA.

The agency also criticized all four retailers for failing to provide evidence of corrective actions, despite follow-up calls and repeated email requests.

As a participant in the supply chain, your firm should take prompt and effective action when notified of a product recall, the FDA wrote in each letter.

Store brands named in warning letters

The FDA said multiple grocery banners owned by the companies continued offering the formula after the recall, including:

• Albertsons-owned stores: Star Market, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Safeway and Shaws

• Kroger-owned stores: King Soopers and Smiths Food and Drug

Why infant botulism is dangerous

Infant botulism occurs when babies ingest spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can then produce toxins in the large intestine, according to the CDC. While rare, the condition can be fatal.

Symptoms include poor feeding, loss of head control, trouble swallowing or breathing, decreased facial expression, and a weak or altered cry. Symptoms may take days or even weeks to appear.

The CDC has urged parents and caregivers to seek immediate medical care if an infant consumed the recalled formula and shows any of these signs.

Losses surge as six-figure become more common

• Fraud losses reported by people 60 and older climbed to nearly $2.4 billion in 2024, quadrupling since 2020

• Investment often tied to social media pitchesdrove the biggest losses, while phone had the highest median hit

• The FTC says enforcement, refunds, and education are key to pushing back as seniors face more six-figure losses

Older Americans are losing money to at an accelerating pace, according to a new Federal Trade Commission report that shows reported fraud losses among people 60 and older reached nearly $2.4 billion in 2024.

That total is up from about $1.9 billion in 2023 and roughly $600 million in 2020. The FTC says the sharp increase is not just about more people reporting fraud, but about more victims reporting extremely large lossesoften $100,000 or more.

The agency defines older adults as people age 60 and up and says protecting them remains a top priority, given the outsized financial and emotional toll can take later in life.

Life-changing losses may be far higher

Because most fraud is never reported, the FTC estimates the true cost of targeting older adults in 2024 could range from $10.1 billion to as much as $81.5 billion, depending on how the estimate is calculated.

These losses can be life-changing, the report notes, particularly for retirees or people on fixed incomes who may not have time or earning power to recover financially.

Investment dominate, social media plays a major role

Investment accounted for the largest share of reported dollar losses among older adults, far surpassing any other fraud category. Many victims told the FTC they were lured into fake investment opportunitiesfrequently involving cryptocurrencyafter being contacted on social media.

That trend matters, the agency says, because social media was the leading starting point for linked to both the highest total losses and the highest number of loss reports among older adults in 2024.

At the same time, phone remain especially dangerous. While fewer in number than social media-based schemes, phone calls produced the highest median reported losses, meaning the typical phone scam victim tends to lose more money per incident.

Payment methods reveal warning signs

How scammers get paid is often a key red flag. According to the FTC, bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments were associated with the highest total reported losses among older adults.

Credit cards and gift cards, however, were the most frequently reported payment methods overall. Gift cards were particularly common in impersonation , where fraudsters pose as government agencies, businesses, or tech companies and pressure victims to pay quickly.

FTC highlights enforcement actions affecting seniors

The report outlines a range of enforcement actions the FTC says likely affected older adults, including:

• Debt relief and impersonation schemes: A lawsuit targeting an Accelerated Debt program accused of promising dramatic debt reduction while impersonating banks and government agencies.

• Tech support : A settlement with payment processor Paddle over allegations it facilitated deceptive tech-support telemarketing using fake alerts and brand impersonation, with money set aside for refunds.

• Hidden housing fees: A case filed with the state of Colorado accusing Greystar of advertising rents that failed to reflect mandatory monthly fees.

• Health and pain-relief marketing: A case involving Gravity Defyer shoes, alleging unsupported pain-relief claims aimed at older adults with arthritis and joint pain.

• Money transfer pressure points: A settlement with Walmart tied to allegations that its money transfer services were used in that disproportionately affected older consumers.

Refunds and rule changes

On consumer relief, the FTC says enforcement actions in fiscal year 2025 resulted in more than $311 million returned to consumers of all ages. Several refund programs sent checks to hundreds of thousands of people in cases involving sweepstakes marketing, tech-support , in-home product financing, and debt relief schemes.

The agency also finalized amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule in late 2024, expanding coverage to include inbound tech-support calls. That change targets a common scam tactic in which deceptive online ads trick consumers into calling fake support numbers.

In 2024, consumers 60 and older were five times more likely than younger adults to report losing money to tech-support , with reported losses totaling $159 million.

Education and reporting remain critical

The FTC continues to expand its Pass It On education campaign for older adults, which now covers 13 common scam categories ranging from impostor and romance to home repair and fake prize schemes. The materials are free and designed to be shared with friends and family.

The agency also urges consumers to report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, noting that timely reports can help law enforcement spot trends and, in some cases, trigger rapid action in high-dollar wire and bank transfer cases.

What older adults should watch for

The FTCs report underscores several practical warning signs: be skeptical of investment offers that arrive through social media, especially those involving cryptocurrency or guaranteed returns; never move money to protect it at someone elses request; treat unexpected tech alerts as ; and report losses immediately, because speed can matter when money has been wired or transferred.

As reported losses climb, the agency says awarenessand fast actionmay be the best defenses older Americans have.

GasBuddy estimates motorists will save $521 million compared to last year

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• National average gasoline price expected to be $2.79 per gallon on Christmas Day

• Drivers projected to save about $521 million nationwide during Christmas week compared with last year

• Prices remain below last Christmas and among the lowest holiday levels since 2020

While the cost of celebrating Christmas remains high, holiday travelers may find an unexpected bit of cheer at the gas pump this Christmas, with prices continuing a multi-year trend of seasonal relief. GasBuddy forecasts the national average price of gasoline will land near $2.79 per gallon on Christmas Day, down from about $3.00 a year ago.

That decline adds up. GasBuddy estimates motorists will collectively save roughly $521 million during the Christmas travel week compared with last year, offering some financial breathing room as millions of Americans hit the road to visit family and friends.

The favorable outlook reflects a combination of supply and demand dynamics that have eased pressure on prices heading into the holidays. Refinery maintenance that typically tightens supply earlier in the fall has largely wrapped up, allowing gasoline inventories to rebuild. At the same time, OPECs increased oil production through much of 2025 has pushed crude oil prices to multi-year lows in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Less demand helps

Seasonal demand also plays a role. While holiday travel remains heavy, winter gasoline consumption is significantly lower than during the summer driving season, helping keep prices in check. That natural demand slowdown has allowed prices to settle near what are often the lowest levels of the year.

Christmas is often when gas prices settle near the lowest levels of the year, and 2025 is no exception, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Refinery maintenance has wrapped up, supplies are rising, and winter demand is much lower than in summer all of which help keep a lid on prices. Provided there are no surprises, holiday travelers should see pump prices that come in a bit lower than last Christmas.

De Haan cautioned that unexpected refinery disruptions or international tensions could still introduce short-term volatility, but said the broader backdrop is far more favorable than in the years immediately following the pandemic, when reopening demand sent prices sharply higher.

He also noted early indicators are encouraging as GasBuddy prepares to release its 2026 Fuel Outlook in January, with signs that lower prices could extend into next year.

Holiday tips

For drivers heading out this holiday season, GasBuddy recommends a few simple strategies to maximize savings:

• Compare prices before filling up, as nearby stations can differ by 10 to 25 cents per gallon, and even more on longer trips.

• Plan around state lines, where tax differences can create price swings of 20 to more than 80 cents per gallon.

• Use loyalty programs and fuel-saving apps to stack discounts.

• Drive efficiently, maintaining steady speeds and using cruise control, which can boost fuel economy by up to 15% on long drives.

Taken together, this years Christmas gas price outlook offers a modest but meaningful gift for holiday travelers one that could make the journey home a little easier on the wallet.

Agencies claim the marketing of Uber One is misleading

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Federal regulators and 21 states accuse Uber of charging consumers for its Uber One subscription without consent and failing to deliver promised savings.

• The amended lawsuit claims Uber made cancellations deliberately difficult, despite advertising that users could cancel anytime.

• The case seeks civil penalties and will be decided in federal court in California.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), joined by 21 states and the District of Columbia, has filed an amended lawsuit against Uber, alleging the company improperly charged consumers for its Uber One subscription, failed to provide promised savings, and made it unreasonably hard for users to cancel.

The FTC first sued Uber in April, accusing the ride-hailing and delivery giant of deceptive billing and cancellation practices tied to Uber One, its paid subscription program. The newly filed amended complaint expands the case by adding state-level claims and seeking civil penalties for alleged violations of federal and state consumer protection laws, including the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act.

Uber denies the allegations that it signs up or charges consumers without their consent. The company asserts that customers agree to the subscription and are not billed unless they opt in. It also says the cancellation procedure is clear and simple.

What is Uber One?

Uber One is marketed as a monthly or annual subscription that promises perks such as $0 delivery fees and up to $25 in monthly savings on Uber Eats and Uber rides. According to the complaint, many consumers say those promises werent met.

Some subscribers report being charged delivery fees despite the $0 delivery fee guarantee, while others say they never received the advertised monthly savings. The lawsuit alleges that Ubers marketing gave consumers a misleading impression of the benefits they would receive.

One of the most serious allegations is that Uber enrolled some consumers in Uber One without their knowledge or consent. According to the complaint, users who signed up for free trials were often automatically charged before the trial ended. Others say they were billed for Uber One even though they never knowingly signed up at all.

Regulators argue that these practices violate laws designed to ensure consumers clearly agree to recurring charges before they are billed.

Cancel anytime

Uber advertises that consumers can cancel anytime, but the complaint claims the reality is far different. According to regulators, users trying to cancel their subscriptions may be forced to navigate up to 23 different screens and complete as many as 32 separate actions before successfully canceling.

The FTC and states allege that this complex process discourages consumers from canceling and keeps them paying for a service they no longer want.

In addition to the District of Columbia, the states joining the FTC in the amended complaint are:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.