Consumer News: Houses are going begging as the spring housing market ramps up

Drivers are finding it less profitable to work when gas costs $4 a gallon

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Gas prices have surged past $4 a gallon in the U.S. following the Iran war, sharply increasing operating costs for rideshare drivers.

• Many drivers report shrinking earnings, longer hours, and selectively accepting rides to stay profitable.

• The combined effect could reduce driver availability in some markets, though demand shifts may partially offset shortages.

While consumers are dealing with rising costs from spiking gas prices, heres another annoyance that might not have been anticipated. It may be harder to hail a ride from Uber and Lyft.

As the average gas price surpassed $4 a gallon, rideshare drivers across the United States are feeling the impact almost immediately, and passengers may soon notice the difference.

Gas prices have climbed above $4 per gallon nationally much higher in some states a roughly 35% increase since the conflict began disrupting oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.The spike is largely driven by higher crude oil costs tied to the war, with energy analysts warning that volatility could persist if supply disruptions continue.

Drivers profits squeezed

For rideshare drivers who shoulder fuel costs themselves the price surge is cutting deeply into already thin margins.

In cities like New Orleans and Atlanta, drivers report spending as much as half their earnings on fuel, while gas prices have risen by as much as $1 per gallon in just weeks. Some drivers say they are effectively working at or near a loss after accounting for platform fees and expenses.

A teacher, who works part-time as a Lyft driver, said that because of the surge in gasoline prices, shes not sure her second job is going to last.

Im working now for rideshare, but I dont know what thats going to look like next week. Because if gas is $4 a gallon, Im done, she told CNN.

The pressure is forcing behavioral changes. Drivers are:

• Working longer hours to maintain income.

• Avoiding shorter or less profitable trips.

• Relying more heavily on tips.

• Carefully choosing when and where to drive.

In Florida, some drivers say they are now prioritizing only the most lucrative fares or adjusting routes to conserve fuel.

Will there be fewer rides?

The key question for riders is whether these pressures will translate into fewer available rides.

There are early signs this could happen but the outcome is not straightforward.

Factors pointing to fewer drivers:

• Lower profitability may push some drivers to quit or reduce hours.

• Selective ride acceptance can increase wait times

• Rising costs may deter new drivers from joining.

Some drivers are already declining trips that dont justify fuel costs, a shift that can reduce effective supply even if the number of drivers remains unchanged.

Factors that may offset shortages:

• Higher fares or surge pricing could lure drivers back onto the road.

• Companies like Uber are offering temporary fuel discounts to retain drivers.

• Consumer demand may fall if rides become more expensive, easing pressure on supply.

A fragile balance

For now, the rideshare market appears to be entering a period of instability rather than outright collapse.

If fuel prices continue rising or remain elevated for months industry analysts say a more noticeable contraction in driver availability is likely. That could mean longer wait times, higher fares, and reduced service in less busy areas.

At the same time, the gig economys flexibility may cushion the blow. Drivers can quickly re-enter the market if earnings improve, creating a dynamic equilibrium shaped by gas prices, rider demand, and platform incentives.

What is clear is that the Iran wars ripple effects are reaching far beyond global energy markets, directly into the everyday economics of getting a ride across town.

This low-tech scheme started in Philadelphia but will likely spread

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Philadelphia police have uncovered a growing ATM scam involving hidden trap-door devices that steal cash from unsuspecting users.

• At least nine incidents have been reported across the city since mid-March, with machines tampered with in stores and neighborhoods citywide.

• Investigators warn that the low-tech scheme could easily spread to other cities as criminals replicate the tactic.

ATMs are a favorite target of scammers. Unlike credit card skimmers, the prize here is a consumers cold, hard cash.

The scam has grabbed the attention of police in Philadelphia, where it has victimized scores of consumers since mid-March. Police say criminals are installing hidden trap-door devices inside ATM cash dispensers, allowing them to steal money from customers who believe the machine has malfunctioned.

The scam has already been discovered in multiple parts of the city. Authorities say at least nine ATMs, located in corner stores, dollar stores, and other retail locations, have been tampered with.

How the scam works

The scheme relies on confusion rather than hacking. Victims insert their card and request cash as usual, but instead of dispensing money, the ATM funnels the bills into a concealed compartment attached to the machine.

"Usually, with this type of machine, the roll door would roll down and you can take your money out," Capt. Robert McKeever with the Major Crimes Unit, told Philadelphias Fox 29. "This cash trap basically stops that. So the roll door still rolls down, but the customer hears the [machine] rolling and they can't get the roll door to go down, so they think the ATM is broken, or the machine might be out of money."

Believing the ATM is broken, customers often leave without reporting the issue, giving thieves time to return later, remove the device and collect the trapped cash.

Experts say the tactic is a variation of cash trapping, a form of fraud that targets the physical money rather than stealing card data.

Why police are concerned

Philadelphia police say the devices are typically installed over weekends, when banks are closed and victims may have difficulty immediately reporting missing funds.

The low-tech nature of the scam is what makes it especially concerning. Unlike sophisticated skimming operations, these devices can be made cheaply and installed quickly, making them easy to replicate in other cities.

Authorities note that similar schemes have surfaced in other parts of the U.S. and overseas, often carried out by organized groups targeting high-traffic ATMs.

A broader trend in ATM fraud

While ATM have long involved card skimming or PIN theft, law enforcement says criminals are increasingly turning to simpler methods that exploit human behavior, particularly the tendency to walk away when a machine appears to malfunction.

Financial crime experts say these illusion-based can be harder to detect because victims may not immediately realize a crime has occurred.

How to protect yourself

Police and consumer protection officials recommend several precautions:

• Inspect the ATM for loose parts, unusual attachments, or signs of tampering.

• Avoid using standalone machines in low-traffic areas.

• If cash doesnt dispense, report it immediately and do not leave the machine.

• Contact your bank right away if funds are deducted but no money is received.

Philadelphia officials are urging vigilance, warning that awareness is the best defense as this type of fraud continues to evolve. Theyre also warning consumers that this is not just a Philadelphia it will probably start showing up in other places.

The Alzheimers Association recommends routine monitoring of cognitive decline

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Many physicians are failing to perform recommended annual cognitive assessments for dementia patients, according to new data from Motive Medical Intelligence.

• An analysis of more than 100 million U.S. insurance claims found wide variation by state, with failure rates as high as 80%.

• Experts warn that skipping routine assessments can delay critical interventions and worsen outcomes for millions of patients.

A new analysis highlights a significant gap in dementia care across the United States, revealing that many physicians are not following widely accepted guidelines to regularly assess cognitive function in patients with the condition.

Motive Medical Intelligence (Motive) examined more than 100 million closed U.S. insurance claims and found that a substantial number of doctors fail to conduct even a single annual cognitive assessment for dementia patients. The findings come despite strong consensus among professional organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association and the Alzheimers Association, which recommend routine monitoring of cognitive decline.

The issue is particularly concerning given the growing scale of dementia in the U.S. More than sixmillion adults are currently living with the condition, a number projected to nearly double to 13.9 million by 2060. The financial toll is also steep, with costs estimated at $344 billion in 2020 and expected to soar to $3 trillion by mid-century.

Performance varies by state

According to the analysis, physician performance varies widely by state. Alaska ranked as the poorest performer, with 80% of physicians failing to screen dementia patients annually. Vermont and Hawaii also showed high failure rates of 65% and 60%, respectively.

Larger states performed somewhat better but still showed significant gaps. Texas had a 38% failure rate, New York 39%, and California 47%, indicating that even in high-population areas, many patients are not receiving recommended monitoring.

Even the top-performing states fell short of ideal standards. Utah reported a 24% failure rate, followed by Delaware at 25%, and Nevada at 27%, underscoring that no state has fully addressed the issue.

Cognitive assessments are easy to perform with simple tests, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination or Montreal Cognitive Assessment, said Dr. Rich Klasco, chief medical officer at Motive. These tests measure memory, insight, and other aspects of brain function. Tracking changes in these tests over time can assist patients, families, and caregivers in identifying problems and making informed decisions.

Regular monitoring promotes better care

Research has long shown that regular cognitive monitoring helps clinicians detect functional decline earlier and supports timely medical and care-planning interventions. It also plays a key role in preparing patients and families for transitions in care as the disease progresses.

When clinicians fail to measure cognitive function over time, they lose critical insight into disease progression, complications, and safety risks, Dr. Klasco said. This denies patients and caregivers the support they need.

With dementia cases expected to rise sharply as the population ages, experts say improving adherence to routine cognitive screening represents a major opportunity to enhance care quality, reduce avoidable complications, and better support patients and their families.

More than half of home listings sat on the market for at least 60 days in February

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than half (52.2%) of U.S. home listings in February sat on the market for at least 60 days, the highest share for that month since 2019.

• The value of these stale listings reached a record $347 billion, driven by a growing imbalance between sellers and buyers.

• Weak buyer demand, high mortgage rates and elevated prices are slowing sales, pushing typical time on market to a decade-high 66 days.

This spring might be a good time to buy a home. The long-running sellers market appears to have flipped.

The latest evidence is found in a report from real estate broker Redfin that found more homes linger on the market as buyer demand weakens.

The report found that an increasing number of homes for sale are now stayingon the market for two months or longer, underscoring a shift toward a buyer-friendly housing market.

The share of listings sitting unsold for at least 60 days rose to 52.2% in February, up from 50.1% a year earlier and marking the highest level for that month since 2019.

A record buildup of inventory

The slowdown is translating into a record buildup of inventory. Redfin estimates there is $347 billion worth of stale housing supply nationwideup 4.3% from a year ago and the highest dollar amount ever recorded for this time of year.

However, not all would-be buyers will benefit. Those who have a significant amount of cash for a down payment can be more selective and may be able to negotiate a more favorable deal.

But the median home price has not come down much, and has gone up in some housing markets. The inflation in home prices during the pandemic continues to price some buyers out of the market.

The seller-buyer gap is out of balance

The Redfin report estimates that there are roughly 630,000 more home sellers than buyers in todays market, a gap that is stretching out selling times and leaving more homes unsold for longer periods.

At the same time, overall housing inventory remains elevated, with about $636 billion worth of homes on the marketnear a record for February.

Buyer demand has softened amid affordability challenges and economic uncertainty. U.S. home sales fell 3.1% year over year in February, with prospective buyers deterred by high mortgage rates, still-rising home prices and concerns about inflation and job stability.

Even as demand cools, sellers continue listing homes, often at optimistic prices. The number of homes for sale rose 1.5% from a year earlier, as many homeowners attempt to capitalize on still-high property values.

A pricing strategy that no longer works

Redfin says that pricing strategy is contributing to longer selling times. The typical home that went under contract in February spent 66 days on the marketthe slowest pace for that time of year in a decade.

Sellers know its a buyers market, but they still want to get as much money as they can, said Redfin Premier agent Jason Gale, noting that many listings are priced high with the expectation buyers will negotiate down.

According to Redfin, its a matter of supply and demand. In Florida, where rapid building took place over the last decade, has the most stale listings. By contrast, West Coast markets such as San Jose and San Francisco have the lowest shares of stale inventory, reflecting more balanced supply and demand and more buyers who can afford the higher prices.