Consumer News: Airlines have not fully recovered from Monday’s winter storms

The agency has sent warning letters to 97 dealers

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sent warning letters to 97 auto dealer groups nationwide about deceptive pricing practices.

• Regulators say advertised vehicle prices must include all mandatory fees consumers are required to pay.

• The agency signaled it will continue monitoring dealerships and take enforcement action if violations persist.

The Federal Trade Commission is stepping up scrutiny of auto dealers across the country, warning nearly 100 dealership groups that misleading price advertising could trigger enforcement action.

In letters sent to 97 auto groups, the FTC emphasized that any price advertised to consumers must reflect the full amount a buyer is required to pay, including all mandatory fees. The agency urged dealerships to review their pricing and advertising practices to ensure consistency between advertised prices and what customers are ultimately charged.

At a minimum, this means advertised prices should match actual prices charged to consumers, the FTC said, adding that it will continue monitoring the marketplace for compliance with federal law.

Curbing common complaints

Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said the effort is aimed at curbing a common complaint among car buyers low advertised prices that increase significantly during the purchasing process.

The FTC will remain focused on monitoring auto dealerships to ensure that the market functions efficiently and competitors are transparently competing on price, Mufarrige said.

The warning letters are part of a broader FTC push to promote price transparency across multiple industries, including rental housing, hotels, ticketing, grocery delivery, and auto sales. The agency says the goal is to ensure consumers are not surprised by hidden charges or undisclosed fees that inflate the final cost of a product or service.

The FTC outlined several pricing practices it considers illegal or deceptive in the auto industry. These include advertising prices that exclude required fees, promoting discounts or rebates notavailable to all consumers, and failing to disclose required down payments. Other violations cited include conditioning advertised prices on dealer financing, requiring add-on purchases not reflected in the price, and advertising vehicles that are unavailable.

The agency also pointed to ongoing enforcement actions against companies such as Lindsay Chevrolet, Leader Automotive Group, and Asbury Automotive Group as examples of its crackdown on deceptive pricing.

The FTC said it will continue to evaluate dealer practices and warned that additional action could follow if violations are found.

Artificial intelligence is making their schemes even more dangerous

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• IRS impersonation using phone calls, emails, or texts are among the most frequently reported tax-season fraud schemes.

• Identity theft and refund fraud occur when criminals use stolen Social Security numbers to file fake returns and claim refunds.

• Misleading tax advice and fraudulent tax services circulating on social media or through ghost preparers are increasingly targeting filers.

As millions of Americans prepare their tax returns, scammers are stepping up efforts to steal money and personal information. Consumer advocates and federal agencies warn that tax-related fraud is surging again this filing season, fueled in part by more sophisticated digital tools and artificial intelligence.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released its annual Dirty Dozen list of tax , highlighting common schemes that threaten taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals during the filing season. The list serves as a warning about tactics criminals use to exploit confusion around taxes and refunds.

One of the most widespread involves criminals posing as the IRS. Fraudsters send emails, text messages, or make phone calls claiming there is a problem with a taxpayers refund or that immediate payment is required. These messages often include links to fake websites designed to capture sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or login credentials.

are harder to spot

In many cases, the communications appear convincing because scammers use official-looking logos, language, and even spoofed caller IDs. Authorities emphasize that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers through unsolicited texts, emails, or social media messages.

Another major concern is tax-related identity theft. Criminals may use stolen personal information to file fraudulent tax returns in someone elses name and claim refunds before the legitimate filer submits their return. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration has previously flagged millions of suspicious returns tied to potential identity fraud.

Scammers are also expanding their reach through social media and questionable tax services. Some promote bogus credits or deductions that can lead to penalties for taxpayers who unknowingly submit inaccurate returns. Others operate as so-called ghost preparers, charging fees to file returns but refusing to sign them, leaving the taxpayer responsible for any errors.

25% of taxpayers have encountered a scam

Researchers say the scale of the problem remains significant. Surveys show nearly one in four adults report encountering a tax scam, with many victims targeted through links requesting personal information or payment for supposed tax debts.

Experts advise taxpayers to take simple precautions, including filing returns early, using trusted tax professionals,and avoiding unsolicited messages related to taxes. Consumers should also verify any communication by navigating directly to official government websites rather than clicking on links.

Law enforcement officials say awareness is the most effective defense. As tax season continues, they urge taxpayers to remain cautious because scammers tend to become most active just as filing deadlines approach.

Researchers say vaccination may offer protection beyond preventing the painful rash

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• New research suggests shingles infections may increase the risk of cognitive decline in older adults.

• Scientists believe inflammation and damage to blood vessels caused by the virus may affect the brain.

• Studies also show that preventing shingles with vaccination may lower the risk of dementia later in life.

A case of shingles is already unpleasant, causing painful nerve inflammation and blistering skin rashes. But new research suggests the condition may have longer-term consequences that extend beyond the skin.

Several recent studies indicate that shingles infections could increase the risk of cognitive decline in older adults, adding another potential reason for people over 50 to consider vaccination.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, develops when the varicella-zoster virus the same virus that causes chickenpox reactivates years or even decades after the original infection. While the illness is best known for its painful rash, scientists are increasingly studying how the virus may affect the brain.

Possible link to memory problems

Research suggests that older adults who have had shingles may be more likely to experience problems with memory, concentration, and other cognitive functions in the years following infection.

Some studies estimate the risk of long-term cognitive decline may be about 20% higher among people who have had shingles compared with those who have not.

Researchers stress that shingles does not necessarily cause dementia directly. However, the infection may trigger biological changes that increase vulnerability to cognitive problems later in life.

Inflammation may play a role

One leading theory involves inflammation. When the virus reactivates, it can trigger widespread inflammatory responses throughout the body and nervous system.

In some cases, the virus may travel along nerve pathways and affect blood vessels in the brain, causing a condition known as viral vasculopathy. This inflammation can potentially increase the risk of stroke or other vascular damage that is linked to dementia.

Researchers also believe infections may activate immune responses that accelerate age-related brain changes. Since older adults already face an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers, viral infections like shingles could compound those risks.

Vaccination may reduce dementia risk

Evidence supporting the connection also comes from research on shingles vaccination.

Several large population studies have found that people who receive shingles vaccines appear less likely to develop dementia later in life. Scientists say preventing the virus from reactivating may reduce inflammation or other processes that affect brain health.

While researchers are still studying the exact mechanisms, the findings suggest vaccination may have benefits beyond preventing the painful symptoms of shingles.

Risk increases with age

Shingles is relatively common in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about one in three Americans will develop shingles during their lifetime, with risk rising sharply after age 50 as immune systems weaken.

Because of this, health experts say prevention is important not only to avoid the immediate discomfort of shingles but also to help protect overall health.

The CDC recommends that adults ages50 and older receive the shingles vaccine.

Scientists say more research is needed to fully understand how shingles may influence brain health. But growing evidence linking viral infections and cognitive decline is prompting researchers to look more closely at whether preventing infections could help reduce dementia risk in aging populations.

Delays and cancellations are still common

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Airline operations are improving nationwide, but delays and cancellations persist at major hubs

• Carriers are working through aircraft and crew imbalances caused by the storm

• Travel experts say a full return to normal schedules could take another 2472 hours

Commercial airline schedules across the United States are slowly returning to normal following a powerful winter storm that disrupted travel for millions, but significant delays and scattered cancellations remain a reality for travelers today.

Airlines resumed more regular operations overnight after the storm system moved out of key regions in the Midwest and Northeast. However, the ripple effects of widespread cancellations continue to affect flight schedules, particularly at major hub airports such as Chicago OHare, New Yorks LaGuardia and JFK, and Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson.

Industry analysts say the current phase is less about weather and more about logistics. Aircraft and flight crews were left out of position during the height of the storm, forcing airlines to reshuffle resources across their networks.

Passengers are still encountering long lines at customer service counters and crowded gates as airlines work through backlogs of rebooked travelers. While fewer flights are being canceled compared to the peak of the storm, delays remain common, particularly for connecting itineraries. Its a good idea to check with your airline before heading for the airport.

Many change fees are being waived

Airlines have issued travel waivers for affected regions, allowing passengers to change flights without fees. Many carriers are also adding extra flights where possible to accommodate displaced travelers, though capacity remains tight.

Transportation officials say conditions are improving steadily, but caution that a full return to normal schedules may take another one to three days, depending on airport congestion and operational constraints.

Travelers with flights scheduled in the next 24 hours are being advised to check their flight status frequently and allow extra time at the airport.

Despite the disruptions, aviation experts note that the system is functioning as expected following a storm of this magnitude. This is a typical recovery curve, the expert said. Its frustrating for passengers, but its part of how a highly interconnected air travel system resets after a major weather event.