Consumer News: Scammers have been quick to incorporate the Iran war into their schemes

When love ends, who keeps the pet?

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Breakups involving pets are increasingly contentious, with animals often treated as both emotional companions and legal property.

• Courts in most states still classify pets as property, complicating custody disputes and limiting shared arrangements.

• A growing legal and cultural shift is pushing toward considering the pets well-being, though laws remain inconsistent.

Couples, whether or not theyre married, often adopt a dog or cat long before they even think about children. But attachment to these furry creatures quickly grows, and to the couple they are almost like kids.

So what happens if the relationship hits the rocks? The absence of children may make the split-up look fairly simple. But the presence of a pet presents a whole new set of complications.

Despite the deep emotional bonds people form with animals, the law in most U.S. states still treats pets as personal property.

That means courts often approach pet disputes the same way they would divide furniture or cars, by determining ownership rather than emotional attachment.

Who has the strongest claim?

In practical terms, this can favor the person who purchased or adopted the pet, paid veterinary bills, or appears on registration documents.

But that approach can feel out of step with reality for couples who raised a pet together.

Legal experts say pet custody fights are becoming more common and more heated. Pets are often viewed as family members, and many owners are unwilling to give them up.

The emotional toll can be significant. Losing a pet after a breakup can trigger grief comparable to losing a loved one, underscoring why these disputes can escalate quickly.

In some cases, pets even become leverage in contentious separations, with one partner using access to the animal as a bargaining tool.

The limits of the legal system

Courts are often reluctant to intervene unless couples cannot reach an agreement.

When they do step in, judges typically consider factors such as:

• Who originally acquired the pet

• Who provided primary care (feeding, vet visits, daily routines)

• Each persons living situation and ability to care for the animal

Still, unlike child custody, there is often no concept of visitation rights. One party may be awarded full ownership, leaving the other with no legal claim.

A shift toward pet custody

In recent years, some states have begun to rethink this framework. A small but growing number now allow courts to consider the pets well-being when making decisions.

Legislative efforts are also underway. For example, a 2026 proposal in Colorado would allow judges to weigh factors like an animals health, safety, and emotional needs bringing pet disputes closer to child custody standards.

These changes reflect a broader cultural shift: pets are increasingly seen as sentient companions, not just property.

Planning ahead

To avoid conflict, experts recommend couples plan ahead. Tools like pet custody agreements or pet-nups can outline who will care for the animal, how expenses are shared, and whether visitation is allowed.

Without such agreements, disputes can quickly become all-or-nothing battles, with courts awarding the pet to just one party.

As relationships evolve, so does the role of pets within them. But while emotional expectations have shifted, the legal system is still catching up.

For now, couples who share a pet face a difficult reality: when the relationship ends, the fate of a beloved animal may depend less on love and more on paperwork.

The key mortgage rate is reacting to inflation fears

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.46% this week, its highest level in nearly seven months.

• Rates have now increased for five consecutive weeks, reversing a brief dip below 6% earlier this year.

• Rising inflation concerns and global economic uncertainty are pushing borrowing costs higher during the critical spring homebuying season.

After falling just below 6% earlier this year, mortgage rates are accelerating again. Rates moved higher again this week, extending a steady upward trend that is beginning to weigh on the housing market just as the spring buying season ramps up.

According to Freddie Mac, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage climbed to 6.46%, up from 6.38% last week. The increase marks the fifth consecutive weekly rise and puts borrowing costs at their highest level since early September.

Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said the uptick comes as homebuyers enter the market in greater numbers. With spring homebuying season in full swing, aspiring buyers should remember to shop around, he said, noting that comparing lenders can save borrowers thousands over the life of a loan.

Whats behind the move?

The rise in rates is being driven largely by broader economic forces. Mortgage rates tend to track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which has been influenced by inflation concerns and volatility in global energy markets. Analysts point to geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices as key factors pushing inflation expectations higher, which in turn keeps borrowing costs elevated.

The increase is already having a tangible impact on affordability. Even small rate changes can significantly affect monthly payments, with recent estimates showing borrowers paying noticeably more than just a few weeks ago.

Housing activity is beginning to reflect that trend. Mortgage applications have declined, and early indicators such as home tours and purchase demand suggest a slower start to the spring season compared with last year.

While rates remain slightly below where they were a year ago, when the 30-year mortgage averaged around 6.64%, the recent upward trajectory poses a challenge for a housing market that has struggled with affordability and limited inventory since 2022.

Looking ahead, economists say the direction of mortgage rates will depend heavily on inflation trends and Federal Reserve policy signals. For now, however, the steady climb in rates is adding another hurdle for prospective buyers navigating an already difficult market.

The FSIS says the product may contain unsafe levels of lead

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Frozen dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets sold nationwide may contain unsafe levels of lead, according to a USDA public health alert.

• The affected product is Great Value fully cooked chicken breast nuggets sold at Walmart with a best-by date of Feb. 10, 2027.

• Consumers are urged not to eat the nuggets and to discard or return them if found in their freezers.

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for some frozen, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets after tests revealed potentially dangerous levels of lead contamination.

The alert applies to 29-ounce bags of Great Value Fully Cooked Dino Shaped Chicken Breast Nuggets produced on Feb. 10, 2026, and sold at Walmart locations nationwide.

The product carries a Best If Used By date of Feb. 10, 2027, lot code 0416DPO1215, and establishment number P44164 printed on the back of the packaging.

Although no formal recall has been requested because the product is no longer available for sale federal officials warn that some packages may still be stored in consumers freezers.

The issue was identified during routine surveillance sampling conducted by a state partner, prompting the FSIS to investigate further. Officials say additional products could be added to the alert as the investigation continues.

The risks of lead exposure

Health risks tied to lead exposure are significant, particularly for vulnerable populations. Lead can damage developing brains and nervous systems, posing serious risks to infants, young children, and pregnant women.

According to the Mayo Clinic, lead creates toxic effects, and it is especially harmful in a child's growing body. Toddlers are among the most vulnerable because of the way they play and explore their surroundings.

Federal guidelines say there is no safe level of lead exposure. The Food and Drug Administrations interim reference level is 2.2 micrograms, but testing found levels in the nuggets could reach up to five times that amount for children.

Health experts caution that exposure may also pose risks to women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.

What to do

The FSIS is urging consumers who purchased the affected nuggets not to eat them. Instead, the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions can contact Dorada Foods Vice President John Patrick Lopez at john.patrick@lopezdorada.com. Food safety questions can also be directed to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or by email at MPHotline@usda.gov. Complaints about meat, poultry, or egg products can be submitted through the USDAs online system.

The units were manufactured by Huizhou Haitan Technology

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Fire hazard: Affected chargers can ignite or cause connected batteries to catch fire, posing a risk of serious injury or death.

• Nationwide recall: The recall affects HTRC and Haisito T400 battery chargers sold online in the U.S.

• Consumer action urged: Owners are told to stop using the chargers immediately and seek a refund.

Federal safety regulators have announced a recall of nearly 5,000 HTRC and Haisito T400 battery chargers after determining the products pose a serious fire hazard that could lead to injuries or death.

The recall, reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), involves battery chargers manufactured by Huizhou Haitan Technology. According to the agency, the chargers can overheat, ignite, or cause attached lithium-ion batteries to catch fire, creating a significant danger for consumers.

The products were sold primarily through online marketplaces and are commonly used for charging rechargeable batteries, including those found in hobby equipment and consumer electronics.

Reports of fires and damage

Regulators have linked the recall to multiple reports of fires and other thermal incidents involving similar HTRC chargers. These incidents have resulted in property damage and at least one reported injury, underscoring the severity of the hazard.

Lithium-ion battery fires are particularly dangerous because they can spread rapidly and are difficult to extinguish, making faulty charging equipment a major safety concern.

What to do

The CPSC is urging consumers to immediately stop using the recalled chargers and unplug them. Owners should contact the manufacturer to receive instructions on how to obtain a refund.

Consumers may be asked to provide proof that the product has been disposed of before receiving compensation.

The recall comes amid increasing regulatory attention on lithium-ion battery safety, as more consumer products rely on rechargeable power sources. Faulty chargers, in particular, have been identified as a common source of overheating and fire incidents.

Safety regulators say consumers should only use chargers that are certified by recognized safety organizations and follow manufacturer guidelines when charging batteries.

The CPSC continues to monitor reports of hazardous products and encourages consumers to report unsafe items through its public database.