Consumer News: Recent research identifies a new game plan for high blood pressure

One accident could wipe out years of insurance savings

• More drivers are skipping insurance: About 35% of drivers say they've driven uninsured in the past year because they couldn't afford coverage.

• The risk can be huge: One at-fault accident could leave you paying for repairs, medical bills, legal costs, and fines out of pocket.

• Look for savings elsewhere: Compare rates, ask for discounts, and adjust deductibles before dropping coverage altogether.

As auto insurance premiums continue climbing, some Americans are making a dangerous financial decision: driving without insurance.

A new survey from CoverageProfessor found that 35% of drivers admit they have driven without insurance at some point during the past year because of financial pressure. Meanwhile, 56% say they delayed renewals or missed payments, and 58% of uninsured drivers say they canceled coverage altogether because they simply couldn't afford it.

While skipping coverage may seem like an easy way to cut costs, the financial consequences can be devastating if you're involved in an accident.

Why uninsured driving can backfire

Many drivers try to justify the risk. According to the survey, 27% of uninsured motorists say they only drive short distances or stick to familiar roads, believing that reduces their chances of getting into an accident.

Unfortunately, accidents don't care whether you're driving across the country or just heading to the grocery store.

If you're found at fault in a crash while uninsured, you could be responsible for:

• Vehicle repairs

• Medical bills

• Lost wages

• Legal costs

• Property damage

In some states, drivers can also face license suspensions, vehicle impoundment, fines, and other penalties.

Even a minor fender-bender can end up costing you thousands of dollars. Which as it turns out is far more than a year's worth of insurance premiums.

Why rates keep rising

Insurance companies point to several factors driving premiums higher, including more expensive vehicle repairs, higher labor costs, increased medical expenses, and more distracted driving accidents.

The result is that many households are struggling to fit insurance into already stretched budgets. In fact, the survey found that 34% of drivers have taken on a side hustle or second job to help pay for coverage.

If your rates have jumped recently, there are several ways to reduce costs without going uninsured.

Shop around every year

Many drivers stay with the same insurer for years without comparing rates. That can be a costly mistake.

Rates vary dramatically between companies, even for identical drivers. Getting quotes from three to five insurers can sometimes save hundreds of dollars annually.

Pro tip: Don't wait until your policy expires. Start comparison shopping 30 days before renewal to give yourself time to switch if necessary.

Raise your deductible

If you have adequate emergency savings, increasing your deductible can significantly lower premiums.

For example, moving from a $500 deductible to $1,000 often reduces monthly costs. Just make sure you can comfortably cover the higher deductible if you need to file a claim.

Ask about possible discounts

Many consumers never request available discounts.

Common savings opportunities include:

• Safe-driver discounts

• Multi-policy discounts

• Low-mileage discounts

• Good-student discounts

• Defensive driving course discounts

• Automatic payment discounts

• Paperless billing discounts

Pro tip: Call your insurer once a year and specifically ask for every discount you qualify for. New programs are added regularly.

Consider usage-based insurance

Many insurers now offer telematics programs that track driving habits through a smartphone app or plug-in device.

Safe drivers who avoid hard braking, speeding, and late-night driving can often earn meaningful discounts. These programs aren't ideal for everyone, but they can be especially valuable for your low-mileage drivers.

Review your coverage on older vehicles

If your car is worth only a few thousand dollars, it may make sense to evaluate whether comprehensive and collision coverage are still cost-effective.

Dropping optional coverage can lower your premiums, though drivers should carefully weigh the potential out-of-pocket risk.

Pro tip: Before dropping coverage, compare the annual premium cost against the vehicle's actual cash value. The math just might surprise you.

Hackers falsely claim to have access to victims devices

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Cybercriminals are sending a new wave of sextortion emails claiming they have complete access to victims' computers, phones, and online accounts.

• The scammers often include an old password obtained from a previous data breach to make their threats appear legitimate.

• Security experts say the threats are almost always fake and victims should not pay the cryptocurrency ransom being demanded.

If a scam is effective, you can bet it will be tried time and time again. Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes warns that consumers are once again being targeted by a familiar but effective online extortion scheme.

In a consumer alert, the company reports a resurgence of so-called sextortion emails, claiming hackers have gained complete control of victims' devices.

The emails typically allege that the sender installed malware on the recipient's computer through a browser vulnerability or malicious website. The scammer claims to have full access to the victim's files, email accounts, contacts, webcam, and microphone, and threatens to release embarrassing videos or private information unless a ransom is paid in cryptocurrency.

Why threats may seem real

To make the threat seem credible, many of the messages include an actual password associated with the recipient. However, Malwarebytes says these passwords generally come from old data breaches and are unrelated to any current compromise of the victim's devices.

One recent version of the scam claims the victim's browser was infected through a "drive-by exploit" that allegedly provided the attacker with complete control over the device. The email then demands payment in Bitcoin within a few days, threatening to distribute compromising material to family members, friends, and social media contacts if the victim refuses.

Security researchers say the messages rely on fear, embarrassment, and urgency rather than actual hacking. In many cases, scammers send the same email to thousands of people, hoping a small percentage will panic and pay.

What not to do

Malwarebytes advises consumers not to respond to the emails, not to send any money, and not to click on attachments or links contained in the messages. Recipients who recognize a password included in the email should immediately change it if they are still using it on any account.

Experts also recommend enabling multi-factor authentication, using unique passwords for every account and monitoring for signs that personal information may have been exposed in a data breach.

The scam's persistence reflects the continuing profitability of sextortion schemes. Researchers have found that such campaigns can generate substantial revenue for cybercriminals despite their relatively simple tactics.

Consumers who receive one of these emails should remember that the presence of a real password does not mean a hacker currently controls their devices. In most cases, cybersecurity experts say, the message is simply another attempt to turn old stolen data into a new payday.

Meta, TikTok, and Snap remain defendants in the case

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• YouTube and Google have reached a confidential settlement with a teenage plaintiff in a major social media addiction lawsuit.

• The settlement removes YouTube from an upcoming bellwether trial that will proceed against Meta, TikTok, and Snap.

• The case is part of a broader litigation involving nearly 2,500 plaintiffs who allege social media platforms harmed minors' mental health.

YouTube, and its subsidiary Google, have settled a lawsuit brought by a Florida teenager who alleged the platform's design contributed to mental health problems. The confidential agreement removes the video platform from an upcoming bellwether trial in a closely watched social media addiction case.

The settlement leaves Meta, TikTok, and Snap as the remaining defendants in the trial, which is scheduled to begin later this summer and is one of a series of test cases that could shape the outcome of broader litigation involving nearly 2,500 plaintiffs.

The plaintiff, identified in court filings as R.K.C., is a 15-year-old Florida resident who began using social media platforms, including YouTube, at age 8. Attorneys for the teen allege that features such as autoplay and infinite scroll encouraged excessive use during critical developmental years and contributed to worsening mental health symptoms.

Statements from the parties

"YouTube's decision to resolve this case before having to face a jury speaks for itself," attorneys John Morgan and Emily Jeffcott said in a statement announcing the settlement. The attorneys contend that social media companies have long relied on engagement-driven design features aimed at increasing usage among young users.

Google confirmed the agreement but did not disclose financial terms.

"This matter has been amicably resolved and our focus remains on building age-appropriate products and parental controls that deliver on that promise," Google spokesperson Jos Castaeda said in a statement.

According to the plaintiff's legal team, R.K.C.'s use of social media intensified over time and was followed by increasing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The teen eventually entered mental health treatment and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

A case against social media

The lawsuit is part of a sweeping legal battle against Google, Meta, TikTok, and Snap. Plaintiffs claim the companies knowingly designed platforms with addictive features that contributed to depression, anxiety, body image issues, and other mental health challenges among minors.

The settlement comes months after the first bellwether trial ended with a California jury awarding a 20-year-old plaintiff $6 million in damages. In that case, the jury assigned 70% of the liability to Meta and 30% to Google. TikTok and Snap reached confidential settlements before the trial began.

Besides soccer, many visitors are fans of barbecue and ranch dressing

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• International soccer fans visiting the U.S. for the World Cup say Americans are friendlier and more curious than expected, often stopping to ask about their teams and countries.

• Visitors are embracing distinctly American experiences from oversized restaurant portions and tailgate parties to road trips between host cities.

• While some fans praise the country's convenience and entertainment options, others cite concerns about transportation, healthcare costs, and the visible gap between wealth and poverty.

As hundreds of thousands of international soccer fans descend on the United States for the FIFA World Cup, many are finding that their biggest discoveries have little to do with what happens on the field.

Instead, conversations in bars, rideshares, restaurants, and stadium parking lots are giving visitors a firsthand look at American culture especially American consumer culture one that often differs from the image many carried with them before arriving.

For many fans, one of the biggest surprises has been the friendliness of ordinary Americans.

Visitors from Europe and South America frequently describe Americans as approachable and eager to talk, particularly when they notice national team jerseys or flags. Several fans said strangers struck up conversations in airports, restaurants, and public spaces, asking about soccer traditions in their home countries.

The tournament is also exposing international visitors to uniquely American sporting customs. Tailgate parties outside stadiums have become a major attraction for fans accustomed to pre-match gatherings in pubs or city centers.

American-size portions

Food has become another common topic of conversation among visitors. Many say they were unprepared for the size of restaurant portions, the prevalence of drive-through restaurants, and the variety of regional cuisines available across host cities, and have expressed their amazement on social media.

Fans traveling between matches have reported seeking out Texas barbecue, Southern comfort food, New York-style pizza, and Mexican cuisine, turning the tournament into a culinary tour as much as a sporting event.

That is properly scrumptious! one European fan said in a YouTube video after taking his first bite of Texas Barbecue.

In another YouTube video, a father and son from Europe are overwhelmed by their first visit to Waffle House, where they budgeted $100 for a meal but only could spend $35.

Getting around could be a challenge

The country's sheer scale has also left an impression.

For supporters accustomed to traveling between World Cup venues by train in relatively compact countries, the distances between American cities can be eye-opening. Some fans have incorporated domestic flights and cross-country road trips into their tournament itineraries.

Transportation remains one of the most frequently-cited challenges. While fans praise airport infrastructure and highway networks, many visitors from Europe note the relative lack of public transportation in some metropolitan areas.

Several supporters said renting a car became necessary in places where they expected trains or other transit options to be more readily available.

The World Cup has also exposed visitors to broader aspects of American society. Some international fans expressed surprise at the visible contrasts between affluent neighborhoods and areas struggling with homelessness and poverty.

Sticker shock

Others mentioned sticker shock when learning about healthcare costs or discussing insurance with local residents.

Yet many visitors say the country's diversity has become one of its most memorable features. In host cities, fans often encounter communities speaking dozens of languages and representing cultures from around the globe.

Business owners near World Cup venues say the cultural exchange is working both ways. Restaurant managers, hotel operators, and local residents are gaining exposure to soccer traditions from around the world, while visitors are learning about American customs and lifestyles.

Tourism officials hope those interactions will leave a lasting impression long after the tournament ends.

Meta, TikTok and Snap remain defendants in the case

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• YouTube and Google have reached a confidential settlement with a teenage plaintiff in a major social media addiction lawsuit.

• The settlement removes YouTube from an upcoming bellwether trial that will proceed against Meta, TikTok and Snap.

• The case is part of a broader litigation involving nearly 2,500 plaintiffs who allege social media platforms harmed minors' mental health.

Google, and its subsidiary Google, have settled a lawsuit brought by a Florida teenager who alleged the platform's design contributed to mental health problems. The confidential agreement removes the video platform from an upcoming bellwether trial in a closely watched social media addiction case.

The settlement leaves Meta, TikTok and Snap as the remaining defendants in the trial, which is scheduled to begin later this summer and is one of a series of test cases that could shape the outcome of broader litigation involving nearly 2,500 plaintiffs.

The plaintiff, identified in court filings as R.K.C., is a 15-year-old Florida resident who began using social media platforms, including YouTube, at age 8. Attorneys for the teen allege that features such as autoplay and infinite scroll encouraged excessive use during critical developmental years and contributed to worsening mental health symptoms.

Statements from the parties

"YouTube's decision to resolve this case before having to face a jury speaks for itself," attorneys John Morgan and Emily Jeffcott said in a statement announcing the settlement. The attorneys contend that social media companies have long relied on engagement-driven design features aimed at increasing usage among young users.

Google confirmed the agreement but did not disclose financial terms.

"This matter has been amicably resolved and our focus remains on building age-appropriate products and parental controls that deliver on that promise," Google spokesperson Jos Castaeda said in a statement.

According to the plaintiff's legal team, R.K.C.'s use of social media intensified over time and was followed by increasing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The teen eventually entered mental health treatment and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

A case against social media

The lawsuit is part of a sweeping legal battle against Google, Meta, TikTok and Snap. Plaintiffs claim the companies knowingly designed platforms with addictive features that contributed to depression, anxiety, body image issues and other mental health challenges among minors.

The settlement comes months after the first bellwether trial ended with a California jury awarding a 20-year-old plaintiff $6 million in damages. In that case, the jury assigned 70% of the liability to Meta and 30% to Google. TikTok and Snap reached confidential settlements before the trial began.