Consumer News: Senators working to restore Obamacare subsidies

The risk is in the motor controlling the electric seats

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Hyundai is recalling 94,622 Hyundai Genesis and Genesis G80 sedans because their front power-seat motors could overheat and cause a fire.

• Owners should park affected vehicles outdoors, away from buildings and other vehicles, until repairs are completed.

• A repair is still being developed and will be provided free, including for vehicles whose warranties have expired.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling certain 20152016 Hyundai Genesis and 20172020 Genesis G80 sedans, warning owners that a problem with their power seats could cause a fire while driving or parked.

The recall involves 54,644 Hyundai Genesis sedans and 39,978 Genesis G80 sedans. Hyundai estimates that approximately 1% of the recalled vehicles have the defect, according to its report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The problem involves the switches controlling forward-and-back movement and height adjustment on front power seats without memory settings. An external impact can damage or dislodge internal switch components, leaving the control stuck in an activated position.

That can keep the seat motor running after an occupant leaves the vehicle. Continued operation can cause the motor to overheat. Possible warning signs include a burning smell near the seat or seat controls that stop working.

What to do

Hyundai reported two alleged fires in the United States associated with the condition. As of its October 1 recall decision, the company reported no related U.S. crashes or injuries.

Until a repair is available and completed, affected owners should follow the parking warning. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in December.

Owners can check whether their vehicle is included by entering its 17-character vehicle identification number at NHTSA.gov/recalls. The VIN can usually be found near the lower driver-side corner of the windshield or on registration and insurance documents.

The NHTSA campaign number is 26V664000. Hyundais recall number is 308, and Genesis is 035G.

A new documentary shows how these schemes work

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Romance scammers cultivate trust through frequent contact, flattery and carefully tailored stories before asking for money.

• The new documentary Super Scam Me examines those tactics by putting investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller in a potential victims position.

• Consumers can protect themselves by keeping trusted people involved and refusing to send money to an online love interest they have never met.

Romance start innocently enough. Two lonely people meet on a dating site and get to know one another. Only one is not a lonely person theyre a scammer who isnt seeking love, but money.

By the time a romance scammer asks for money, the person receiving the request may feel they are helping someone they know and love.

That is what makes these crimes so effective: The financial deception follows a sustained effort to create an emotional connection. Scammers learn what their targets want, mirror their interests and make themselves part of everyday life, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The new National Geographic documentary Super Scam Me, which premiered October 17 and streams on Disney+ and Hulu, explores that process. Investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller creates an online dating persona and engages with scammers, eventually pursuing one who claims to be a four-star general. The film also features a woman deceived by someone impersonating Jon Bon Jovi.

In an interview with Bruce Y. Lee for Psychology Today, van Zeller described how quickly scammers contacted her fictional profile, Mary Zelle, a middle-aged antiques dealer looking for love.

Outpouring of affection and attention

Their initial approach included love bombing an outpouring of affection and attention designed to accelerate a connection. One supposed suitor remembered details from earlier conversations, checked whether she had arrived home safely and asked whether she had eaten dinner. Even while playing a role, van Zeller found the interaction emotionally draining.

Those details help explain why a fraudulent relationship can feel convincing. A person who consistently remembers your concerns and checks on your well-being can begin to feel familiar.

Van Zeller told Psychology Today that scammers exploit widely shared emotions, including hope, fear and love. They also invest considerable time in their targets. Her account illustrates how loneliness or a desire for companionship can give that attention particular significance, without making the victim unintelligent.

Scammers also manufacture compatibility. The FTC says they pay close attention to information people share and present themselves as an ideal match, adopting similar interests and relationship goals. Their invented occupations such as military service overseas or work on an offshore oil rig conveniently explain why they cannot meet.

Eventually, the relationship becomes the setting for a financial request. A supposed partner needs emergency medical care, money for travel or help resolving trouble abroad. Others offer to teach their target cryptocurrency investing. The FTC warns that these stories are tailored to whatever seems most likely to work.

Why it ultimately works

The implication is that recognizing the scam may require questioning a relationship that has become emotionally important. That helps explain why an outsiders seemingly obvious warning can be difficult to accept.

The FTC recommends discussing online relationships with someone trustworthy, checking profile photographs through a reverse image search and never sending money or gifts to a romantic interest you have not met in person.

Anyone who has paid a suspected scammer should contact their bank or payment provider immediately, ask whether the transaction can be reversed, and report the account to the platform and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

You have until Dec. 7 to select a new plan

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Medicares annual Open Enrollment period runs through Dec. 7, with coverage changes taking effect Jan. 1, 2027.

• Retirees should compare total costs, prescription coverage and access to doctors before switching plans.

• Moving from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare requires special attention because getting a Medigap policy may involve health screening.

October brings Autumn leaves, spiced pumpkin drinks, and if youre retired, Medicare Open Enrollment. Between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, people on Medicare can select a new plan or keep the one they have.

During that time, beneficiaries can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, or join, switch or drop a Part D prescription drug plan. Changes generally take effect Jan. 1.

For retirees living on fixed incomes, the decision should begin with a review of their current coverage and expected medical needs.

Medicare health and drug plans can change their costs, benefits, and provider and pharmacy networks each year. A plan that worked well in 2026 may offer a different value in 2027. The Annual Notice of Change, sent by Medicare Advantage and drug plans each fall, outlines upcoming changes in costs, coverage or service area.

Look beyond the premium

A Medicare Advantage plan advertising a $0 monthly premium still has other costs. Beneficiaries generally must continue paying their Part B premium and may face deductibles, copayments and coinsurance when they receive care.

Retirees should compare what they would spend during a typical year and what they could owe if their health deteriorated. Medicare Advantage plans have annual limits on spending for covered Part A and Part B services. Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket ceiling without supplemental coverage.

That makes hospital stays, specialist visits, outpatient treatment and the plans maximum out-of-pocket amount important parts of the comparison.

Check every prescription

Retirees should enter their current medications, dosages and preferred pharmacies into Medicares Plan Finder. The tool estimates monthly and annual drug costs, helping beneficiaries compare plans based on the prescriptions they actually take.

Check whether each medication is covered, its cost-sharing requirements and any restrictions. Pharmacy choice matters, too: some plans offer lower prices at preferred pharmacies, while using an out-of-network pharmacy can mean paying the full cost.

Confirm access to care

Before switching Medicare Advantage plans, retirees should verify that their doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals participate in the specific plan being considered.

They should also check referral and prior authorization requirements. Medicare Advantage plans may require approval before covering certain services, and nonemergency care outside the network may cost more or lack coverage.

For retirees who spend part of the year in another state, those restrictions deserve particular attention. Original Medicare generally allows beneficiaries to use any doctor or hospital accepting Medicare nationwide.

Understand the Medigap issue

One potentially costly mistake is assuming that leaving Medicare Advantage guarantees access to Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly called Medigap.

The fall enrollment period does not provide an annual guaranteed right to buy Medigap. Its federal open enrollment protection generally lasts six months, beginning when someone is at least 65 and enrolled in Part B.

Outside that window, insurers may use medical underwriting, potentially denying an application or charging more. Certain circumstances provide guaranteed purchase rights, and some states offer additional protections. Retirees considering the move should establish their eligibility, price and coverage start date before completing the switch.

Get help before enrolling

Beneficiaries can compare options through Medicare.gov or seek free, personalized counseling through their State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Medicare also provides assistance at 1-800-MEDICARE.

A useful comparison should answer three practical questions: Can the retiree keep receiving needed care, are current prescriptions covered affordably, and could the household manage the costs of a serious illness?

Cooking tools, kids' accessories, and some food items are part of this week's recall roundup

Recall Roundup: New CPSC and FDA alerts

This roundup covers newly announced recalls and safety warnings from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Food and Drug Administration.

Primark recalls childrens coin purses

The recalled 101 Dalmatians faux leather coin purses contain phthalate levels above federal limits and should be returned for a refund.

• The coin purses contain higher phthalate concentrations, creating a chemical exposure risk for young children, including through ingestion.
• About 2,100 units were sold at Primark stores in the Northeast and in Florida, Maryland and Illinois from March 2026 through June 2026 for about $9.
• Consumers should stop using the coin purses immediately, keep them away from children and return them to a Primark store for a full refund.

Primark US Corp., of Boston, is recalling its Primark 101 Dalmatians Faux Leather Coin Purse, Model No. 2595301. The black purse has a picture of a dalmatian and 101 Dalmatians printed on the front, with the model number on a tag attached to the zip puller. The company says the product contains phthalate levels that exceed allowable limits.

The hazard

According to the CPSC, the coin purses contain elevated concentrations of phthalates. Those chemicals can be harmful if young children are exposed to sufficient amounts, including through ingestion, and certain phthalates have been linked to developmental effects and impacts on the hormone system. No incidents or injuries had been reported at the time of the recall.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled coin purses right away and keep them out of childrens reach. Primark says shoppers should return the item to a Primark store to receive a full refund in the original form of payment.

Company contact

Primark can be reached at 617-946-3236 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.primark.com/recall or www.primark.com by clicking Recalls at the bottom of the page.

Source

Kalorik air fryer ovens burn users

CPSC is warning consumers to stop using Kalorik MAXX air fryer ovens with French doors because the doors can suddenly close on users arms while the oven is on.

• The spring-loaded French doors can suddenly shut on a consumers arms, creating a risk of serious burns.
• The warning covers Kalorik MAXX and MAXX Advance ovens sold nationwide and online from April 2020 to Jan. 8, 2024, with additional sales after June 23, 2025.
• Consumers should stop using the ovens immediately and dispose of them according to local hazardous waste procedures.

The CPSC issued a safety warning for Kalorik MAXX Air Fryer Ovens with French Doors, including MAXX and MAXX Advance models. The countertop ovens have a metal frame and spring-loaded bilateral glass doors with metal handles. Federal regulators say those doors can suddenly close on a users arms while the oven is operating.

The hazard

CPSC said its investigation found that the French doors can slam shut unexpectedly, exposing consumers to serious burn injuries while reaching into or working around a hot oven. The warning applies to products sold by Team International Group of America Inc. and Kalorik LLC from April 2020 to Jan. 8, 2024, and by The Legacy Companies LLC after June 23, 2025. The agencys notice did not list a recall remedy.

What to do

Consumers should stop using these ovens immediately. CPSC urges owners to dispose of the defective products following local hazardous waste disposal procedures rather than resell or continue using them.

Company contact

The warning directs consumers to report incidents involving Kalorik MAXX Air Fryer Ovens, or any product-related injury, to CPSC at SaferProducts.gov.

Source

Power Quick Pots pose burn risk

CPSC is warning consumers to stop using certain 6-quart Power Quick Pot pressure cookers because the lid can open while the cooker is still pressurized.

• The pressure cookers lid can open while the unit is pressurized, allowing hot contents to erupt and cause serious burns.
• The warning covers 6-quart Power Quick Pot electric pressure cookers, model Y6D-36, sold nationwide online from about July 2018 to November 2023 for $44 to $160.
• Consumers should stop using the cooker immediately, dispose of it and not sell or give away the product.

The CPSC is warning consumers to immediately stop using Tristar Products 6-Quart Power Quick Pot electric pressure cookers, model Y6D-36. The stainless-steel cookers have a black pressure lid, button controls, and a digital temperature and function display. Regulators say the lid can be opened while the contents remain under pressure.

The hazard

When a pressure cooker opens before internal pressure has safely dissipated, hot food and liquid can be expelled unexpectedly. CPSC said that failure creates a risk of serious burn injuries. The units were sold on Walmart.com, Amazon.com, Ebay.com and through other retailers nationwide over several years.

What to do

Consumers should stop using the recalled pressure cookers right away and dispose of them. CPSC also warns owners not to sell, donate or give away the hazardous product, which could put another household at risk.

Company contact

CPSC asks consumers to report any incidents involving injury or product defects at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Source

Argatroban injection recalled over particles

Par Health is recalling certain lots of Argatroban Injection after finding particulate matter that could trigger life-threatening complications if administered.

• The injectable drug may contain cellulose, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, stopper material and possibly stainless steel particles.
• Affected lots were distributed nationwide to wholesalers and hospitals between Dec. 30, 2024, and May 5, 2026.
• Wholesale distributors and hospital pharmacies should stop using and distributing affected lots immediately and arrange returns through Inmar.

Par Health has announced a voluntary nationwide recall of Argatroban Injection 250 mg/2.5 mL (100 mg/mL). The affected product was distributed at the hospital and user level, with impacted lots sent nationwide to wholesalers and hospitals. The company said the recall was triggered by the presence of particulate matter in some vials.

The hazard

According to the FDA notice, the particles identified include cellulose, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, stopper material and possibly stainless steel. If administered, contaminated injections have a reasonable probability of causing life-threatening adverse health consequences, including pulmonary emboli, blockages of other blood vessels that can lead to tissue death and organ damage, and inflammation of vein walls that may lead to clotting.

What to do

Par Health said wholesale distributors and hospital pharmacies with the affected lots should immediately discontinue use and stop distribution. The company is notifying accounts in writing and arranging for the return of remaining inventory through Inmar Inc.

Company contact

Consumers can contact Inmar Inc. at 1-855-648-7909. Media inquiries should be directed to Gena Holthaus, senior director of corporate brand and communications, at media.relations@parhealth.com.

Source

Pan Pepin recalls Para Bien Al Grano

Pan Pepin Inc. is recalling Para Bien Al Grano products distributed in Puerto Rico because sesame was not declared on the label.

• The product may contain undeclared sesame, posing a serious or potentially life-threatening allergy risk.
• The affected packages were distributed throughout Puerto Rico and include UPC 0 21425 01513 4 with specified sell-by and lot codes.
• Consumers with a sesame allergy or sensitivity should not consume the product and should return it for a full refund or dispose of it if returning it is not possible.

Pan Pepin Inc. has issued an allergy alert for Para Bien Al Grano due to undeclared sesame. The recalled product was distributed throughout Puerto Rico and is identified by UPC 0 21425 01513 4 and multiple affected sell-by and lot codes. People with a sesame allergy or severe sensitivity face the greatest risk.

The hazard

Sesame is a major allergen, and consuming a product that does not disclose it on the label can trigger a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction. The FDA notice lists the affected lots as Sell By Oct / 12 3B1 274, Oct / 14 3B1 277, Oct / 15 3B1 278, Oct / 17 3B1 280, Oct / 18 3B1 281, Oct / 19 3B1 282, and Oct / 21 3B1 284.

What to do

Consumers who have a sesame allergy or sensitivity should not eat the product. Pan Pepin says shoppers should return the recalled item to the place of purchase for a full refund, or discard it if a return is not possible.

Company contact

Pan Pepin Inc. can be reached at 787-403-7363 or by email at luis.santini@panpepin.com.

Source

Oliva dips recalled for sesame

Oliva LLC is recalling select Baba Ghanouj and hummus products sold in parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts because sesame was not declared.

• The dips may contain undeclared sesame, which can cause serious or life-threatening allergic reactions.
• The recall covers Riads Oliva to Go Baba Ghanouj, Spicy Baba Ghanouj, and Hummus with listed best-by dates sold in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
• Consumers should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement.

Oliva LLC has issued an allergy alert covering Riads Oliva to Go Baba Ghanouj, Spicy Baba Ghanouj, and Hummus. The recalled products were distributed to gourmet shops and farm markets in Litchfield County, Conn., and the Great Barrington, Mass., area. The company said the products contain undeclared sesame allergen.

The hazard

For people with a sesame allergy or severe sensitivity, eating these products could trigger a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction. The affected items carry best-by dates including 10/10/26 through 10/14/26, 10/10-26 through 10/14/26, and 10/12/26 through 10/18/26, according to the FDA notice.

What to do

Consumers who purchased the recalled dips should not consume them if they have a sesame allergy or sensitivity. Oliva says the products should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund or a replacement.

Company contact

For more information, consumers can call 203-266-5558.

Source

Researchers uncover a surprising longevity pattern in a small Italian community

• Women in Bolotana, Sardinia, were more likely to reach 100 than women in Italy or the United States.

• Researchers verified residents ages using historical civil records and church archives.

• Walking, locally grown food, and strong family connections could offer clues, but more research is needed to explain the villages longevity.

What if the secrets to a longer life could be hiding in a small Italian village?

Researchers studying Bolotana, a mountain community on the island of Sardinia, have found an unusual pattern of longevity that could make it a new destination for researchers exploring why some people live longer than others.

The study, published in Frontiers in Aging, found that women in Bolotana who reached age 70 had an estimated 13.8% chance of living to 100. That compares with approximately 3.5% for women across Italy and 3.6% for women in the United States.

The findings suggest Bolotana could be a new blue zone, a term used to describe places where residents experience unusually long lives. However, researchers caution that more evidence is needed before the village can officially be considered an established longevity hotspot.

What makes Bolotana extraordinary is that it has an incredible historical record that allows us to definitively evaluate ages at birth and death, researcher S. Jay Olshansky said in a news release. The municipal and baptismal records date back centuries and allowed us to independently verify ages.

How researchers investigated longevity

To determine whether Bolotana's reputation for long life was supported by the numbers, researchers examined demographic data covering 2021 through 2025. They focused on two measures: how many additional years people could expect to live after turning 70 and the likelihood of surviving from age 70 to age 100.

The team compared its findings with data from Sardinia's surrounding Nuoro province, the island as a whole and Italy nationally. Researchers also compared Bolotana with established longevity benchmarks, including Sardinia's original blue zone.

Accurate age records were especially important. Researchers cross-checked municipal birth and death records against historical church documents, including baptismal and burial records. They verified the ages of all identified centenarians, helping address concerns that unusually old ages can sometimes result from inaccurate documentation.

The researchers also examined alternative time periods to see whether their findings held up under different assumptions.

What the findings could mean for consumers

Women in Bolotana stood out in the results. Those who reached age 70 had an estimated 20.85 additional years of life expectancy, while their chances of reaching 100 were more than three times those of women in the United States.

So, what might explain this pattern? The study did not establish a cause, but the village offers several possibilities worth investigating. Residents live in a walkable community with steep streets and hills, many foods are grown locally, and family members often live near one another. Social isolation also appears to be uncommon.

Researchers believe physical activity, diet, family support, social connections, and genetics may all play a role. Still, the results varied depending on the years examined, and the team says further observation is necessary.

For consumers, the findings offer a reminder that longevity may involve more than any single food, supplement, or fitness routine. Everyday movement and meaningful social connections are potential areas for further study, but this research does not prove that adopting any one habit will help someone live to 100.

If we can identify the characteristics behind this longevity and help people adopt them, the rest of the world can benefit from understanding the values practiced by these communities, Olshanksky said.