Consumer News: Memorial Day weekend travelers face the highest gas prices in four years

The average rate is back to its highest level since last summer

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Freddie Mac said the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.51% this week, up from 6.36% last week.

• The increase marks the highest average mortgage rate in nearly nine months and comes during the peak spring home-buying season.

• Higher borrowing costs could sideline some buyers, but experts say shoppers who compare lenders may still find meaningful savings.

As the spring housing market begins to wind down, the news continues to worsen for buyers.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage climbed this week to its highest level since late last summer, adding fresh pressure to home buyers already struggling with affordability.

Freddie Mac reports that the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.51%, up from 6.36% a week earlier. A year ago, the average rate stood at 6.86%. The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage increased to 5.85% from 5.71% last week.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.51% this week, Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said in the report. As rates fluctuate, aspiring buyers should remember that by shopping around for the best mortgage rate and getting multiple quotes, they can potentially save thousands.

Rates have reversed course

The jump in rates comes at a difficult time for the housing market, which traditionally sees increased activity during the spring and early summer months. Mortgage rates had briefly dipped below 6% earlier this year, fueling hopes that affordability conditions might improve in 2026. But rising Treasury yields, stubborn inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertainty have pushed borrowing costs higher again.

Mortgage rates are heavily influenced by the yield on the Treasury Departments 10-year bond. Bond yields have steadily risen since the start of the Iran war, with the yield on the 30-year note now over 5%.

Economists say even modest rate increases can have a major effect on monthly payments. For example, on a $400,000 mortgage, a rise from 6% to roughly 6.75% can add close to $200 to the monthly payment.

The silver lining

The higher rates are expected to further cool demand from buyers already coping with elevated home prices, insurance costs and property taxes. Mortgage applications have recently declined as some shoppers step back from the market.

However, some analysts note that conditions are not uniformly negative for buyers. Housing inventory has improved in parts of the country, particularly in the South and Midwest, giving shoppers more negotiating power than they had during the pandemic-era housing boom.

Mortgage experts also emphasize that advertised averages do not necessarily reflect what every borrower will pay. Freddie Macs survey is based on borrowers with strong credit and sizable down payments. Buyers with excellent credit scores who compare multiple lenders may qualify for lower rates, while those with weaker credit histories could pay significantly more.

NOAA predicts as few as eight named storms

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• NOAA is predicting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with eight to 14 named storms expected.

• Forecasters say a developing El Nio pattern is likely to suppress storm activity in the Atlantic.

• Despite the quieter outlook, officials warn that it only takes one major storm to cause catastrophic damage.

The official 2026 hurricane season begins June 1, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting a quieter-than-average six months, marking the agencys first below-normal outlook in more than a decade.

NOAA predicts the Atlantic basin will produce between eight and 14 named storms this year, including three to six hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher. The agency says there is a 55% chance the season will be below average, a 35% chance it will be near normal and only a 10% chance of above-normal activity.

Forecasters say the primary reason for the reduced outlook is the expected development of El Nio conditions in the Pacific Ocean. El Nio typically increases wind shear across the Atlantic, making it harder for tropical systems to organize and strengthen.

NOAA warns against complacency

NOAA officials cautioned, however, that a below-average season does not mean coastal communities are safe from dangerous storms.

Even though we're expecting a below-average season in the Atlantic, it's very important to understand that it only takes one, NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs said during a briefing announcing the outlook.

Meteorologists noted that several devastating hurricanes in past decades formed during otherwise quiet seasons, including Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

NOAAs forecast aligns with predictions from Colorado State University and other major forecasting groups, all of which anticipate a somewhat less active season than normal. CSU researchers recently projected 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes for 2026.

New forecasting tools

At the same time, NOAA says it is rolling out new forecasting tools and graphics this season, including updated hurricane cone maps designed to better communicate inland storm impacts. Some of the new forecasting technologies incorporate artificial intelligence to improve forecast accuracy and risk assessment.

Emergency officials continue to urge residents in hurricane-prone areas to prepare early, regardless of the seasonal forecast.

Ken Graham, director of NOAAs National Weather Service, said uncertainty always remains in seasonal predictions and emphasized that preparedness should not depend on the number of storms expected.

Older Americans may be especially targeted

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Cryptocurrency kiosk are rapidly increasing as fraudsters pressure consumers into depositing cash into crypto ATMs.

• Scammers impersonate government agencies, tech support workers, romantic partners, and investment advisers to steal funds.

• Consumer advocates say the best defense is recognizing red flags, slowing down, and never sending cryptocurrency under pressure.

Cryptocurrency kiosks often called crypto ATMs have become a favorite tool for scammers targeting consumers. Consumer protection agencies and law enforcement officials warn that criminals are increasingly directing victims to these machines because cryptocurrency payments are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to reverse once sent.

Lawmakers have begun to respond. This week, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signed legislation that establishes statewide oversight and consumer safeguards for cryptocurrency kiosks.

The can leave consumers devastated financially, particularly older adults who are often singled out by fraudsters using fear, urgency, and emotional manipulation.

Crypto kiosks are commonly located in convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and shopping centers. The machines allow users to insert cash and convert it into cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, which can then be transferred to a digital wallet by scanning a QR code.

Scammers exploit that simplicity.

Government impersonation

One of the most common schemes involves criminals pretending to represent government agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, FBI, or local law enforcement.

Victims may receive phone calls claiming they owe unpaid taxes, missed jury duty, or face arrest unless immediate payment is made. Instead of requesting conventional payment methods, the scammers direct consumers to withdraw cash from their bank accounts and deposit it into a cryptocurrency kiosk.

The victim is then instructed to scan a QR code controlled by the scammer, instantly transferring the funds.

Consumer advocates say legitimate government agencies never demand payment in cryptocurrency.

Tech support fraud

Another growing scam involves fake tech support representatives posing as employees of companies such as Microsoft, Apple, or antivirus providers.

Victims are told their computers or bank accounts have been compromised and that their money is at risk. The scammer convinces the consumer that transferring funds into cryptocurrency is a way to protect their savings.

In many cases, scammers remain on the phone while the victim drives to the kiosk and completes the transaction.

Romance and investment schemes

Romance frequently evolve into crypto fraud.

A scammer builds an online relationship over weeks or months before introducing a supposedly lucrative cryptocurrency investment opportunity. Victims are persuaded to deposit money into crypto kiosks to fund investments that do not exist.

Similarly, fraudulent investment advisers promise guaranteed returns or insider opportunities tied to cryptocurrency trading platforms.

By the time victims realize they have been deceived, the funds are usually gone.

Prize and employment

Fraudsters also use cryptocurrency kiosks in fake lottery, sweepstakes, and employment . Consumers may be told they won a prize but must first pay taxes or fees in cryptocurrency.

Others are recruited for bogus jobs and instructed to deposit funds through crypto kiosks after receiving counterfeit checks. These often rely on creating urgency and confusion before victims have time to verify the claims.

Here are the red flags

Consumer protection experts say several red flags appear repeatedly in cryptocurrency kiosk :

• Demands for immediate payment

• Requests for secrecy

• Instructions to pay only in cryptocurrency

• Threats involving arrest, lawsuits, or account freezes

• Promises of guaranteed investment profits

• Pressure to stay on the phone while traveling to a kiosk

• Requests to avoid speaking with family members or bank employees

Experts recommend several steps consumers can take to avoid becoming victims:

Slow down

Scammers rely on panic and urgency. Consumers should pause before making any financial transaction involving cryptocurrency.

Verify independently

If someone claims to represent a government agency, bank, or technology company, consumers should contact the organization directly using official phone numbers or websites.

Never send crypto to strangers

Cryptocurrency transactions are generally irreversible. Consumers should never transfer funds to someone they have not independently verified.

Talk to someone you trust

Before making large payments or investments, consumers should consult a family member, financial adviser, or trusted friend. Promises of high or guaranteed profits are among the most common warning signs of fraud.

Consumers who believe they have been targeted should immediately stop communication with the scammer and report the incident to law enforcement and consumer protection agencies.

Experts recommend preserving receipts, transaction records, phone numbers, emails, and cryptocurrency wallet information.

Victims can also report fraud to:

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

• The FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

• State consumer protection agencies

• The operator of the cryptocurrency kiosk used in the transaction

Authorities caution that recovering stolen cryptocurrency can be difficult, making prevention the most effective defense against these increasingly sophisticated .

Sponsored search results are creating confusion for many

• Many drivers searching Google for DMV services are accidentally landing on third-party websites that charge extra fees for renewals and paperwork help.

• The confusion happens because sponsored search results often appear above the official DMV website and look surprisingly official.

• Experts recommend skipping sponsored results, looking for .gov websites, and checking carefully for any added processing fees.

In the digital age, it makes total sense that millions of Americans would go online and renew their vehicle registrations, replace licenses, and even deal with DMV paperwork.

But in doing so, many drivers go to Google and search phrases like:

• DMV registration renewal
• Renew license plates
• Vehicle registration online

and theyre ending up on third-party service websites instead of their actual state DMV website.

These companies are not necessarily pretending to be the DMV or operating illegally. Most even clearly disclose they are third-party services that help process registration paperwork for a fee.

The problem is that many consumers do not realize that when they click on it. Especially because the sites typically appear as a sponsored Google result above the official DMV listing.

Why people get confused

To many drivers, especially less tech-savvy consumers, the sites can look andfeel extremely similar to government websites.

They often include:

• DMV-related wording
• Professional-looking layouts
• Registration and renewal tools
• State references
• Official-sounding language

And because people naturally trust the first result they see, many assume they are already on the official DMV website.

That confusion can become expensive.

Where the extra fees show up

Many third-party DMV service sites charge:

• Processing fees
• Convenience charges
• Service markups
• Expedited handling fees

In some situations, consumers may pay $20 to $80 more than they would directly through their state DMV.

Sometimes the extra cost may be worth it for people who want annual renewal help, faster service, help with paperwork, or need registration assistance.

But many drivers only realize afterward that they paid extra for something they could have done directly through the DMV for less.

Why seniors are especially vulnerable

Older Americans are often more likely to get caught up in the confusion of this.

They tend to be more likely to:

• Click the first Google result
• Miss the small Sponsored label
• Assume professional sites are official
• Feel overwhelmed by online government websites

On smartphones, the confusion gets even worse becauseURLs are much harder to see, and sponsored ads blend in very easily.

For many consumers, especially seniors, the difference between a government website and a private processing company is not very obvious at all.

Googles role in the confusion

Part of the issue is how modern search results work.

Sponsored ads now closely resemble regular search listings. The only real distinction is usually a small Sponsored or Sponsored result label many users barely notice.

That means a paid third-party registration service can appear above the actual DMV website simply because it purchased the ad placement.

And many consumers incorrectly interpret top result as an official result.

How to avoid unnecessary DMV fees online

Consumer experts recommend slowing down anytime you are dealing with government services, registration renewals, taxes, passports, and drivers licenses.

A few simple habits can save you money and reduce the confusion considerably.

Look for .gov

Official DMV websites almost always use .gov at the end of the web address.

If the website ends in:

• .com
• .org
• vehicle services
• registration processing

it is likely a private third-party company.

Again, that does not automatically mean the company is dishonest. It simply means additional fees will usually apply to your purchase.

Skip sponsored results when possible

Whenever you do this type of business online, know that there will be sponsored ads at the top of search results hoping youll click on them. The safest move is to get in the habit of immediately scrolling past the sponsored ads and finding your actual state DMV website.

Also, consider bookmarking your state DMV website once you find it so you never have to search for it again and run the risk of clicking on the wrong link.

Always read checkout screens carefully

Before paying, look closely for:

• Processing fees
• Convenience charges
• Service markups
• Subscription offers

Some consumers do not realize the total cost difference until the final payment screen.

Avoid a lot of future headaches by getting in the habit of slowing down and taking a minute to make sure the website youre on is the site you think.

Researchers say distance from fuel pumps could play a bigger role in health than previously thought

• A new Canadian study found higher rates of childhood leukemia among children living close to gas stations.

• Researchers focused on exposure to benzene, a known carcinogen found in gasoline fumes.

• The study suggests vapor-control systems and buffer zones could help reduce potential risks.

A new study is raising fresh questions about how living near gas stations may affect childrens health.

Researchers from Canada found that children born close to gas stations appeared to face a higher risk of developing leukemia, with the risk increasing the closer they lived to fuel pumps. The findings add to growing concerns about long-term exposure to air pollutants tied to gasoline and vehicle emissions.

Research suggests that only 5 to 10% of childhood cancers are attributable solely to genetics, while the rest are due to other factors, particularly environmental ones, researcher Stphane Buteau said in a news release.

The study

The study, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, followed more than 824,000 children born in Quebec, Canada.

Researchers looked at where children lived at birth and compared that information with later childhood cancer diagnoses. They specifically examined whether there were gas stations within 250 meters about 820 feet of a childs home.

The researchers focused on gas stations because gasoline releases benzene, a chemical already linked to leukemia and other health concerns in adults. Benzene can enter the air during fuel storage, refueling, and fuel deliveries by tanker trucks.

In the absence of residential history, postal codes at birth were used to estimate exposure during the prenatal and early-life periodstimes of heightened susceptibility to environmental hazards, said Buteau,.

What the study found

According to the study, children living within 250 meters of a gas station had a higher risk of childhood leukemia, and the risk appeared highest for those living within 100 meters, or roughly 328 feet.

The study also found an interesting difference in Montreal, where local rules require vapor recovery systems at gas stations to reduce emissions during fueling. In that city, the connection between nearby gas stations and cancer risk appeared weaker, suggesting pollution-control measures may help lower exposure levels.

Researchers cautioned that the study does have limitations. For example, they used postal codes at birth rather than tracking where families lived over time. The findings also do not prove that gas stations directly cause cancer. Instead, the study identifies an association that researchers say deserves further investigation.

What these findings mean for consumers

For consumers, the study highlights how environmental factors may play a role in health risks, particularly for children.

Researchers suggested that cities could consider creating buffer zones between gas stations and places where children spend time, such as homes, schools, and daycares. They also pointed to vapor recovery systems as a relatively simple way to reduce emissions.

Such measures are simple and not costly to implement, and they would deliver major health benefits and help reduce inequalities in exposure levels, Buteau said.