Consumer News: Buy now, pay later services surge in popularity as risks grow

A relocation expert explains the red flags that could save you money, stress, and your belongings

• Moving are on the rise: Fraudsters often lure customers with low quotes, then inflate the price after belongings are already loaded onto the truck.

• Watch for key red flags: Experts say vague contracts, large upfront deposits, unbranded trucks, and movers who wont provide a not-to-exceed estimate are warning signs.

• Do your homework before booking: Checking licenses, reading reviews, and documenting everything can help protect youand make it easier to act if something goes wrong.

Moving is already one of lifes most stressful events and unfortunately, scammers know it.

As more Americans relocate for work, family, or lifestyle changes, fraudsters are finding new ways to take advantage of people during the process. In fact, a 2025 survey found that 57% of adults encountered some type of scam in the past year, and moving-related fraud is becoming increasingly common.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Bill Mulholland, founder of Agoyu and a relocation expert with more than 25 years of experience in the industry, to learn about how these schemes have grown more sophisticated in recent years.

What are the warning signs?

Mulholland broke down some of the ways that consumers can spot moving .

The most common moving scam is to start with a low quote to get your business and after your belongings are loaded onto the moving truck, the price suddenly skyrockets, he said.

Scammers rely on vague contract language, claiming hidden fees for things like stairs or long carries. The worst part? They often wont give you a final price until after everythings packed, leaving you stuck. Most hold your items hostage until you pay the inflated price.

Know the lingo to avoid

Another key thing to be skeptical of: movers who wont give you not-to-exceed estimates.

The not-to-exceed part is the key, Mulholland said. If the estimate says that it can change, or if the mover demands a large upfront non-refundable deposit, thats a huge red flag.

Never sign a blank or incomplete contract and be cautious if the company doesnt have a physical address or proper licenses. If the truck isnt branded or looks like a rental, thats another sign somethings off.

Other things to ensure before booking a moving company:

• Check that the company is licensed and registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and FMCSA if moving across state lines.

• Search for the company on Yelp, Google Reviews, and on the Better Business Bureau.

• Avoid movers demanding large upfront deposits or cash only.

• Ensure the company has a physical address and proper credentials. Doing your research up front can help you avoid falling victim to a scam.

What to do if youre involved in a moving scam

If you find yourself caught in a moving scam, hope isnt lost. Mulholland shared his best tips:

• Document everything by taking photos, saving messages and keeping all the contracts.

• Contact your local authorities and report the company to the FMCSA or your states consumer protection agency.

• Look to leave online reviews on Google or Yelp to warn other consumers.

• If payments were made, dispute the charges with your bank or credit card company.

The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering your losses and preventing the scam from continuing, he said.

Dont leave anything to chance

Mulhollands biggest piece of advice when moving: dont leave anything to chance.

Moving is one of the most stressful events in life, and unfortunately, scammers prey on that vulnerability, he said. With the right precautions, you can avoid most of the risks and make your move a smooth one. At the end of the day, being proactive and informed is your best defense against .

Discount chains and value retailers are driving the growth

• Retail isnt dyingits shifting. More than 900 stores are set to open in 2026, even as weaker locations close.

• Discount chains are leading the growth, with Dollar General (450 stores) and Aldi (180 stores) driving much of the expansion.

• More store openings could mean better deals as retailers compete harder for budget-focused shoppers.

More than 900 new retail stores are expected to open across the U.S. in 2026, even as many chains continue shutting down underperforming locations.

So far, retailers have announced more than 1,200 store closures for 2026, following over 4,100 closures in 2025. However, while some brands are shrinking their footprints, others are aggressively expanding. This is especially true with discount chains and value-focused retailers.

Heres a look at the biggest store expansions planned for the year.

Discount chains are leading the growth

Several of the fastest-growing retailers right now are discount chains that focus on value and what many consider bargain shopping.

It makes perfect sense as consumers continue to tighten their budgets due to quickly rising gas prices and ever-looming inflation worries that still linger.

Dollar stores, discount grocers, and off-price retailers are opening new locations across the country in an effort to capture those value-focused shoppers.

These retailers plan the most new stores

According to company announcements and industry reports, these chains are planning some of the largest expansions in 2026:

• Dollar General: 450 new stores
• Aldi: 180 new grocery stores
• Ollies Bargain Outlet: 75 stores
• Barnes & Noble: 60 stores
• Dollar Tree: 33 stores
• Target: 33 stores
• Costco: 28 stores
• BJs Wholesale Club: about 2530 stores across 20252026
• Kroger: 14 new grocery stores
• Nordstrom Rack: At least 13 stores
• Uniqlo: 11 stores
• L.L. Bean: 8 stores
• Walmart: 5 new stores in early 2026

Altogether, these expansions alone account for over 900 planned openings.

Aldi is one of the fastest-growing grocers

Discount grocer Aldi plans to open more than 180 new stores across 31 states by the end of 2026.

With the expansion, Aldi expects to operate nearly 2,800 U.S. locations, moving closer to its long-term goal of 3,200 stores.

The chain has gained popularity for its private-label products, smaller stores, and consistently lower grocery prices.

Dollar General continues its aggressive expansion

Dollar General is opening the largest number of locations, with plans for 450 new stores this year.

The company has built its growth strategy around smaller stores in rural communities and underserved areas, where shoppers tend to have fewer retail options.

Even bookstores are opening again

In a surprising turnaround for brick-and-mortar retail, Barnes & Noble plans to open 60 new stores.

The company credits its resurgence to a strategy that gives local booksellers more control over store selections and merchandising.

What this means for shoppers

Many of the retailers expanding the fastest right now are discount stores, warehouse clubs, and value-focused grocers.

That trend suggests consumers are continuing to prioritize lower prices and everyday deals, especially for groceries and household items.

For shoppers, new store openings can also bring more competition and potentially lower prices, particularly when discount chains enter a new market.

Theres been a slowing in rent increases, but rents are still at a high level

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Rent growth has stalled nationwide, but millions of renters still face severe affordability challenges after years of pandemic-era rent increases.

• Nearly half of all U.S. renters are cost burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing, according to a new Harvard housing report.

• Rising construction costs and a shift toward higher-priced apartments are shrinking the supply of lower-cost rental units.

Despite a recent slowdown in rent increases and signs of cooling in the apartment constructionpipeline, rental housing in the United States remains deeply unaffordable for households across a wide range of income levels, according to a new report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

The report, "Americas Rental Housing 2026," finds that headline rent figures showing little or no growth in recent years mask the financial strain facing millions of renters who are still grappling with the lingering effects of steep pandemic-era rent hikes and a shrinking supply of lower-cost units.

Headline numbers showing flat or falling rents can be misleading, said Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies. For millions of renters, especially those with lower and moderate incomes, housing is deeply unaffordable.

National rent growth hovered near zero from mid-2023 through 2025, after surging earlier in the decade. By the fourth quarter of 2025, asking rents for professionally-managed apartments had declined 0.6% compared with a year earlier. Vacancy rates rose to 5.2%, roughly the same level as a year earlier, as rental demand slowed faster than new supply reached the market.

Construction still strong but slowing

Multifamily construction activity remains high by historical standards, though it has begun to retreat from recent peaks. Developers started about 416,000 multifamily units in 2025, below the three-decade high recorded in 2022, but still above typical pre-pandemic levels.

At the same time, the number of apartments under construction dropped significantly from a record 996,000 units in 2023 to 686,000 in 2025. Market data also show a sharp year-over-year drop in new construction starts, suggesting a broader slowdown ahead.

Rising costs are a major factor. Between January 2020 and December 2025, prices for materials used in residential construction increased 42%, while employment costs for construction workers rose 24%.

These pressures have pushed developers toward higher-priced projects, contributing to a major shift in the rental market. From 2014 to 2024, the number of units renting for less than $1,400 per month fell by 9.3 million, while units renting for $1,400 or more increased by 11.8 million.

Cost burdens reach record levels

Even as rent growth has cooled, affordability problems have intensified. The report estimates that 22.7 million renter households in 2024about 49% of all renters spent more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, the threshold commonly used to define a cost burden.

Among them, 12.1 million households were severely cost burdened, meaning they spent more than half their income on housing.

Over the past five years, the share of renters facing cost burdens has risen in 44 states and in 88 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas. The trend increasingly affects middle-income households, as well as those with the lowest incomes.

The affordability crisis is no longer confined to the lowest-income households, said Whitney Airgood-Obrycki, a senior research associate at the center. She noted that renters earning between $45,000 and $75,000 annually are increasingly struggling to keep up with housing costs.

Safety-net programs under pressure

The report warns that federal rental assistance and housing preservation programs are not keeping pace with growing demand. Aging rental housing, energy costs, and climate-related risks are also increasing the need for investment in the nations housing stock.

Budget cuts to some safety-net programs and delays in energy assistance funding are adding pressure on household finances, while potential changes to disaster assistance policies could shift more responsibility to state and local governments.

Meanwhile, the high cost of homeownership is likely to keep many households renting longer. However, broader economic uncertainty and stricter immigration policies could also dampen rental demand in some markets.

As the filing deadline approaches, the tax agency plans additional support

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The IRS is extending weekday office hours at more than 200 Taxpayer Assistance Centers nationwide to help taxpayers get in-person help during the filing season.

• Extended hours will run through April 30, giving filers more time to resolve issues or ask questions.

• Many centers will also open on select Saturdays through June 2026, although cash payments will not be accepted during those weekend hours.

The Internal Revenue Service is expanding hours at hundreds of its walk-in taxpayer service centers to help people get in-person help as the tax-filing season continues.

The agency said more than 200 Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) across the country will offer extended weekday hours through April 30, giving taxpayers additional opportunities to speak directly with IRS staff.

TACs provide face-to-face assistance for issues such as identity verification, payment plans, account questions, and other tax concerns that may be difficult to resolve online or by phone.

Taxpayers can find out whether their local office is offering expanded hours by using the TAC Locator tool on IRS.gov, which lists office locations, directions, and available services.

Weekend help also available

In addition to the extended weekday hours, the IRS said many assistance centers will also open on select Saturdays through June 2026.

During these special weekend openings, taxpayers can receive most of the same services available during normal hours. However, the IRS noted that cash payments will not be accepted during Saturday operations.

Information about participating offices and dates for Saturday hours is available on the IRS website at IRS.gov/saturdayhours. The agency said taxpayers should check the page regularly because participating locations and schedules may change.

More access to in-person support

The expanded hours are part of the IRS' effort to provide additional support during one of its busiest times of the year.

By extending weekday hours and adding weekend openings, the agency hopes to give taxpayers more flexibility to get help with filing requirements, resolve account issues, and meet upcoming tax deadlines.

Gasoline is not the only thing that is costing more

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Gasoline and diesel prices are climbing sharply, pushing up transportation costs across the economy.

• Food, consumer goods, and shipping costs are rising as higher fuel prices ripple through supply chains.

• Air travel and household energy bills could increase if disruptions in Middle East oil and gas supplies continue.

Youre probably well aware that the price of gasoline has surged since the start of the Iran war. AAA reports the national average price of regular gas is $3.60/gallon 61 cents more than just before the start of war. That means an average fill-up costs an extra $9.

As painful as that is, economists say there is a growing list of other everyday expenses that are climbing, as the war involving Iran disrupts global energy supplies and shipping routes.

The conflict has already pushed oil prices sharply higher and threatens to trigger a broader wave of inflation affecting gasoline, groceries, travel, and other household costs. The International Energy Agencys decision to release 400 million barrels from emergency oil stockpiles may offer some eventual relief.

Energy markets are at the center of the shock. Fighting and threats to tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz a waterway that normally carries about 20% of the worlds oil and gas shipments have disrupted supplies and rattled markets.

With fewer shipments moving through the region, oil prices have surged and analysts warn they could climb further if the conflict continues.

Fuel prices already rising

One of the fastest impacts for consumers has been at the pump. Beyond gasoline, diesel the fuel that powers trucks, trains, and much of the freight network has risen even faster, climbing 27% to about $4.78 per gallon.

Those increases are particularly significant because diesel is embedded in the cost of moving almost everything consumers buy.

Food and retail prices likely next

Higher diesel prices mean higher transportation costs for farms, manufacturers, and retailers.

As trucking costs rise, economists expect the price of everyday goods including food, clothing, electronics, and household items to follow.

Everything that winds up in a grocery store or everything that winds up at your retail store of choice, all of that stuff, it gets transported there, and diesel is such an important part of those transportation networks, Jeff Krimmel, founder of Krimmel Strategy Group, told The New York Post.

Agriculture may be hit especially hard because farmers rely heavily on diesel-powered equipment and trucks, potentially pushing grocery prices higher during the coming growing season.

Shipping costs and online purchases

Global trade could also become more expensive. Shipping companies are already warning that war risks and longer routes around the Middle East could push freight rates and insurance costs higher, which can translate into higher retail prices.

If ships must avoid the Persian Gulf or travel longer routes, delivery times and logistics costs could rise significantly.

Air travel and energy bills

Airlines are another industry sensitive to oil prices. Jet fuel is one of the largest airline expenses, and rising crude prices typically lead to higher ticket prices. The disruption in energy supplies could also raise natural gas prices and household energy costs in some regions.

Economists warn the energy shock could spread through the economy. Some analysts say the war could push U.S. inflation back toward 4% or higher if oil prices continue climbing.

That would reverse much of the progress made against inflation over the past two years and could delay interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

For consumers, the bottom line is simple: When energy prices rise, almost everything else eventually does too.