Consumer News: ‘Apple High Alert Scam’ targets consumers with fake security warnings

Lawmakers are targeting the soaring energy demands of artificial intelligence

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Sen. Adam Schiff has introduced the Energy Cost Fairness and Reliability Act of 2026, targeting the growing electricity demands of AI data centers and other large energy users.

• The bill would require large-load facilities consuming more than 50 megawatts to pay the full cost of grid upgrades needed to serve them, rather than shifting costs to residential ratepayers.

• The legislation also would require data centers and other major users to provide demand flexibility, arrange new power generation, and meet labor and reliability standards before connecting to the transmission grid.

Residential electric bills are rising significantly in some areas and some blame data centers, which require huge amounts of electricity to power artificial intelligence.

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would dramatically reshape how massive electricity users particularly AI data centers connect to the nations power grid, amid mounting concerns that soaring energy demand could drive up utility bills for consumers.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the Energy Cost Fairness and Reliability Act of 2026, legislation that would require operators of large-load facilities to bear the full financial responsibility for transmission upgrades and infrastructure needed to support their operations.

The measure comes as utilities and grid operators across the country grapple with explosive growth in electricity demand fueled by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, domestic manufacturing expansion, and electrification initiatives. The bill repeatedly references AI as a major driver of the trend, warning that unchecked growth threatens grid reliability and affordability.

New federal interconnection requirements

Under the proposal, any facility with peak demand exceeding 50 megawatts a category that includes many hyper-scale data centers would face new federal interconnection requirements overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC.

The bill claims that electricity prices in multiple regions have already increased because utilities must build new infrastructure and transmission capacity to accommodate large new loads. The bill argues those costs should not be transferred to ordinary residential and business customers.

The proposal would direct FERC to establish a formal load interconnection queue system similar to the existing queue process used for new power plants connecting to the grid.

Large-load customers seeking interconnection would be required to pay 100% of interconnection study costs and all network upgrade expenses associated with their projects. Those payments would be nonrefundable, according to the proposed legislation.

The bill also would prohibit utilities and transmission providers from spreading those upgrade costs among other electricity customers through tariffs or future rate adjustments.

In addition to financial requirements, the legislation imposes operational conditions on large-load facilities. Operators would need to demonstrate demand flexibility, meaning they could reduce or shift electricity usage during grid emergencies or periods of congestion.

Facilities would also have to arrange for new generating resources sufficient to meet their energy needs.

How will the industry respond?

The technology industry might not resist these mandates. Several major tech companies are actively exploring and in some cases directly financing, building, or partnering on power plants dedicated to supplying electricity for AI-driven data centers.

Here are some of the most significant examples:

• Microsoft has backed efforts to restart nuclear generation at Pennsylvanias Three Mile Island site through a long-term power agreement intended to support its AI infrastructure.

• Amazon has invested in nuclear-powered data center projects and supported small modular reactor development through partnerships tied to AWS operations.

• Google has partnered with nuclear startup Kairos Power and also worked with energy companies on natural-gas-powered generation for Texas data centers.

• Meta is developing data center campuses tied to new natural gas plants and has signed long-term nuclear energy agreements to secure future supply.

• SoftBank is going even further vertically, planning a large integrated AI infrastructure complex in Japan that includes battery manufacturing, solar production, and an AI data center.

By some estimates, they accounted for 2.3% of global imports in 2021

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Counterfeit consumer products are increasingly infiltrating online marketplaces, prompting brands to issue warnings about fake or unauthorized sellers.

• Hair-care brand Pureance recently warned consumers that third-party affiliates were spreading misleading information and selling potentially counterfeit versions of its HydraLift products.

• Experts say the growth of e-commerce, fake reviews, and sophisticated online marketing has made it harder for shoppers to distinguish authentic products from counterfeits.

As counterfeit consumer products become more sophisticated and widespread, companies across the beauty, wellness, electronics, and supplement industries are stepping up efforts to warn consumers about unauthorized online sellers.

One recent example involves Pureance, a beauty and wellness brand that issued a consumer alert warning shoppers about unauthorized affiliates and counterfeit sellers marketing versions of its HydraLift hair-care products online. According to the company, rising demand for the product has led to misleading third-party advertisements and potentially fake merchandise being offered outside official sales channels.

The company urged customers to buy only through its official website to ensure authenticity and maintain eligibility for its money-back guarantee.

An internet creation

Industry analysts say the warning reflects a larger problem affecting consumers worldwide. Counterfeit goods have expanded rapidly alongside e-commerce growth, allowing unauthorized sellers to create convincing storefronts, fake reviews, and deceptive advertising campaigns that can be difficult for shoppers to identify.

Researchers studying online marketplace fraud note that fake sellers often exploit consumer trust by offering steep discounts, using copied branding, and generating artificial reviews to appear legitimate.

In some cases, counterfeit products may simply fail to deliver promised results. In others, the risks are more serious, particularly when products involve cosmetics, supplements, electronics, or health-related items.

What to do

Consumer advocates recommend several precautions before making online purchases:

• Buy directly from manufacturers or authorized retailers whenever possible.

• Be wary of unusually low prices or limited-time pressure tactics.

• Check for verified contact information and return policies.

• Research independent reviews instead of relying solely on marketplace ratings.

• Look for spelling errors, altered packaging, or inconsistent branding.

Harder to detect

The challenge for consumers is compounded by the increasing sophistication of counterfeit operations. Academic researchers have found that fraudulent sellers and fake-review networks are becoming harder to detect because they mimic legitimate online behavior more effectively than in the past.

At the same time, companies are investing in anti-counterfeiting technologies, including QR-code verification systems, blockchain tracking, and product-authentication tools designed to help buyers confirm authenticity.

Counterfeit and pirated goods accounted for about 1.8% of world trade in 2007. By 2019, that figure had risen to roughly 2.5% of global trade, representing an estimated $464 billion in counterfeit goods.

The latest OECD-EUIPO report estimates counterfeit trade reached $467 billion in 2021, or 2.3% of total global imports.

Some outlet deals are incredible others are mostly marketing

• Outlet malls can still save you a ton of money, but a lot of the stuff is made just for outlets and sometimes feels cheaper than regular retail versions.

• The best outlet shoppers skip the front displays, hit the clearance racks first, and focus on stuff like shoes, basics, luggage, and kitchen gear.

• Just because a sign says 70% off does not automatically mean its a great deal. Sometimes the same item is cheaper online or at Costco.

Outlet malls still have this reputation where people assume everything is automatically a bargain.

But outlet shopping has changed a lot over the years.

A huge percentage of outlet inventory today is actually made specifically for outlet stores, meaning it was never sold in the regular retail store to begin with. Some products are lower quality versions designed to hit cheaper price points, while others are true overstock, clearance items, or past-season inventory.

The trick is learning how to spot the difference. Because if you know how outlet malls actually work, you can still save a ridiculous amount of money on some products.

Learn the difference between 'made for outlet'and real retail leftovers

This is probably the biggest outlet secret casual shoppers still do not realize.

Many outlet stores now carry merchandise manufactured specifically for outlet locations. That means the product may look similar to what you see at the regular mall, but the materials, stitching, fabric weight, or overall construction can be cheaper.

Some brands are very transparent about this. Others make it harder to tell.

A few clues:

• Tags with extra symbols or dots often indicate outlet-specific items. For example, J.Crew and Ann Taylor both have two small dots under their logo signifying they'reoutlet items.
• Factory-store labels sometimes include words like Factory, Outlet, or Made for Outlet.
• Outlet-only items may have simpler construction, thinner fabrics, or fewer details.
• If every single item in the store seems fully stocked in every size, that is usually a clue it was produced specifically for the outlet.

That does not automatically make it bad. In fact, outlet-made products can still be perfectly fine if the price is good enough. The key is simply understanding what you are buying.

Pro tip: Look for racks labeled Compare At versus Original Price. Compare At pricing is often marketing language, while Original Price more commonly refers to merchandise that was actually sold at traditional retail locations.

Shop the back wall first

Veteran outlet shoppers almost always head straight to the clearance section before looking anywhere else. This is because most outlet stores will often layer their discounts.

Even though you may already be shopping discounted inventory, the clearance section is where you find the extra markdowns, additional percentage-off stickers, and take an extra 60% off promotions.

The back wall or rear corners of many outlet stores are where the real treasure hunting happens. This is especially true at athletic brands like Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and Puma.

Pro tip: Shopping early in the morning or midweek usually gives you the cleanest clearance racks before they get picked over.

Always ask about additional discounts

Outlet stores often stack discounts more often than traditional retail stores.

For example, many outlet centers have customer service desks that hand out coupon books with extra store-specific savings. Tourists often know about these better than locals, as a surprising number of shoppers never ask.

Some stores will also apply extra discounts simply for signing up for texts or emails while standing at the register. The Nike Factory store is fairly famous for this.

It can feel annoying in the moment, but saving another 15% off a $200 purchase takes the sting out a little.

Pro tip: Before shopping at the outlets, I like to search the outlet mall's website itself. Youll be amazed how many centers have hidden coupon pages on their site that most shoppers never check.

Know which categories are usually worth buying at outlets

Not everything at outlet malls is a good deal. But some categories consistently offer excellent savings.

Athletic wear and shoes

In terms of savings, this is probably the strongest outlet category overall.

Specifically, check out the outlet stores for brands like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Merrell, Converse, and Vans. All of these brands frequently send their older colors, discontinued styles, and overstock inventory into their outlet locations.

This means you can often save 30% to 60% compared to mall or online pricing.

If you dont care whether your running shoes are last seasons color or style, outlet stores can be an incredible place to save money.

Kitchen gear

Just last week, my daughter was bragging to me about a Le Creuset pie dish she got st the outlet store for 65% off the original price.

Stores like Le Creuset, Kitchen Collection, Calphalon, Cuisinart, and cookware outlets can offer major savings on discontinued colors, damaged packaging, or seasonal inventory.

Sometimes the box might be beat up a little bit, but the product inside is perfectly fine.

Luggage

Outlet luggage stores are one of the more underrated categories when it comes to potential savings.

Samsonite, TUMI, and similar brands often discount older styles heavily, especially during travel slowdowns during the winter months.

Basics

Stuff like t-shirts, socks, underwear, workout gear, and kids clothing are often where outlet shopping makes the most financial sense. Especially for your fast-growing kids. Try to take advantage of back-to-school specific sales for savings in the 30-50% off range.

Pro tip: Politely ask employees when they tend to get new inventory. Many outlet stores get fresh clearance inventory on specific weekdays, and employees will sometimes casually tell you when the best markdowns hit the floor if you simply ask nicely.

Be careful with those 'fake urgency'sales

One of the oldest outlet mall tricks is making every sale feel like it's going away tomorrow, only to be replaced by full-retailprices.

You'll often see signs everywhere screaming:

• TODAY ONLY!
• EXTRA 70% OFF!
• LAST CHANCE!
• FINAL HOURS!

But many outlet stores run what feels like near-constant promotions. That giant weekend sale often magically continues next weekend too.

Smart shoppers slow down and check the actual final price, not the percentage-off sign.

Because sometimes an outlet item marked 70% off is still more expensive than buying similar quality elsewhere.

Pro tip: Use your phone to quickly compare prices online while standing in the store. Many shoppers are shocked to discover the outlet deal costs more than Amazon, Costco, or the brands own website.

Watch for quality differences in luxury outlets

Some luxury outlet stores carry authentic past-season inventory from retail stores, while others tend to carry lower-tier products designed specifically for outlets.

Thats why two handbags that look almost identical, may feel completely different in quality. Things like leather texture, hardware, stitching, and lining materials can vary a lot.

For example, shoppers at stores like Coach Outlet, Michael Kors Outlet, and Kate Spade Outlet may notice that some bags feel slightly different from what is sold in traditional mall locations.

The smartest approach is to focus less on the logo and more on the actual quality. If something feels cheaply made, the deal may not really be worth it.

Pro tip: Dont ignore outlet stores near wealthy vacation areas. Outlet malls near places like Palm Springs, Aspen, or Orlando often get higher-end overflow inventory simply because nearby shoppers tend to return or exchange more expensive merchandise.

Chrysler, Vespa, and International Motors are part of this week's recall roundup