Consumer News: Consumer product knockoffs are a growing problem

It works just like the Microsoft Tech Support Scam

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Cybercriminals are exploiting Apples reputation with fake high alert security warnings designed to panic consumers into giving up passwords, payment information,or remote access to their devices.

• The scam often appears as pop-up alerts, text messages, or phone calls claiming an iPhone, iCloud, or Apple ID has been compromised.

• Experts say the best defense is to avoid clicking links in unsolicited alerts and verify any security issue directly through Apples official channels.

The Microsoft Tech Support Scam has cheated thousands of consumers out of millions of dollars over the years. Lately, scammers have switched brands, posing as another well-known tech company.

Consumers are reporting a surge in fraudulent Apple High Alert messages that attempt to trick people into believing their iPhone or iCloud account has been hacked. The scam uses fear and urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly, often leading them to hand over sensitive information or even allow criminals to take control of their devices.

Cybersecurity experts say the scheme has become increasingly sophisticated, with scammers mimicking Apple branding, logos, and language so convincingly that even experienced users can be fooled.

How the scam works

The scam typically begins with an alarming message claiming that suspicious activity has been detected on the victims Apple account. Consumers may receive:

• A pop-up warning while browsing the web

• A text message claiming an Apple ID has been locked

• An email about unauthorized purchases

• A phone call from someone pretending to be Apple Support

Many messages include phrases such as High Alert, Security Breach Detected, or Your iPhone Has Been Compromised.

The warning often urges consumers to click a link, call a phone number immediately, or download software to secure the device.

Once victims respond, scammers may attempt to:

• Steal Apple ID usernames and passwords

• Collect credit card or banking information

• Install remote-access software

• Gain access to photos, contacts,and stored passwords

• Demand payment for fake technical support services

In some cases, criminals convince consumers to purchase gift cards or transfer money to supposedly protect their accounts.

Why the scam is effective

Apple products are widely trusted, and many consumers worry about losing access to photos, financial accounts, and personal data stored on their devices. Scammers exploit that anxiety by creating a sense of emergency.

Fraudsters know that panic causes people to make quick decisions. If a message tells someone their account is under attack, they may be more likely to react before thinking critically.

The scam also succeeds because fake alerts can look remarkably authentic. Some fraudulent websites closely resemble Apples official support pages, complete with logos and professional-looking formatting.

Warning signs consumers should watch for

Security experts say there are several red flags that can help consumers identify the scam.

Apple does not:

• Send unsolicited pop-up alerts asking users to call support numbers

• Ask for passwords or verification codes through text messages

• Request payment via gift cards or wire transfers

• Pressure users to act immediately to avoid account deletion

Consumers should also be suspicious of:

• Poor grammar or unusual wording

• Unknown phone numbers or email addresses

• Links that do not lead to Apple.com

• Loud alarm sounds or flashing warnings in browser pop-ups

How to protect yourself

Do not click links, download software, or call numbers provided in unexpected messages claiming to be from Apple.

If concerned about account security, consumers should independently visit Apples official website or use the Settings app on their iPhone to check for notifications.

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection to Apple IDs and can help prevent unauthorized access.

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.

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