Consumer News: Home sellers are pulling their homes off the market in record numbers

The May Employment Report offers a clear roadmap

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May, more than double economists expectations, while unemployment held steady at 4.3%.

• Leisure and hospitality, health care and government were the biggest sources of new jobs, making them the strongest targets for job seekers.

• Financial activities, information and parts of retail continued to shed jobs, signaling a tougher market for white-collar applicants.

The labor market delivered a pleasant surprise for job seekers in May.

Employers added 172,000 jobs during the month, far exceeding forecasts of roughly 80,000 new positions. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%, suggesting that hiring remains healthy despite concerns about inflation, interest rates and global uncertainty.

Revisions to March and April payroll figures added another 93,000 jobs, indicating the labor market has been stronger than previously thought.

For workers looking for a new job, the report offers a clear roadmap: some industries are hiring aggressively, while others continue to pull back.

Best sectors for job seekers

Leisure and hospitality

If you're looking for the fastest path to employment, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues and tourism-related businesses are leading the way.

Leisure and hospitality added roughly 70,000 jobs in May, making it the strongest-performing sector by a wide margin. Employers appear to be ramping up staffing ahead of the summer travel season.

Best opportunities:

• Restaurant and food-service workers

• Hotel staff

• Event and entertainment employees

• Tourism and recreation workers

Health care

Health care continues to be one of the most reliable sources of job growth in the U.S. economy.

The sector added between 35,000 and 47,000 jobs in May, depending on the data series cited, continuing a multiyear hiring trend fueled by an aging population and persistent demand for medical services.

Best opportunities:

• Registered nurses

• Medical assistants

• Home health aides

• Therapists

• Administrative support staff

Government

Local government hiring surged in May, adding approximately 55,000 jobs. Schools, public services and municipal agencies accounted for much of the increase.

Best opportunities:

• Education support roles

• Public administration

• Municipal services

• Public safety support positions

Construction

Construction posted another month of gains, extending a positive streak despite higher borrowing costs. While growth was more modest than in hospitality or health care, the sector continues to add workers.

Best opportunities:

• Skilled trades

• Project management

• Equipment operators

• Construction laborers

Sectors where hiring is slowing

Financial activities

Banks, insurance companies and other financial firms cut jobs in May. Financial activities lost roughly 22,000 positions, making it one of the weakest sectors in the report.

Job seekers in finance may face longer searches and increased competition for openings.

Information

Technology, media and communications companies continued to struggle.

The information sector lost jobs in May and was also identified by ADP as one of the few major industries not adding workers. Analysts note that many white-collar employers remain cautious about expanding payrolls.

Retail

Retail employment declined in May, suggesting consumer-facing stores remain cautious despite a generally healthy economy.

Workers seeking retail positions may find more seasonal openings this summer, but the sector is not generating jobs at the pace seen in hospitality or health care.

What it means for job seekers

The May report marks the third consecutive month of stronger-than-expected hiring and provides evidence that the labor market has regained momentum after a sluggish period earlier this year.

For job seekers, the message is straightforward:

• Focus your search on hospitality, health care, government and construction.

• Be prepared for greater competition in finance, technology and media-related fields.

• Workers willing to switch industries may find significantly faster hiring in service-sector and health-care occupations.

• Employers are still hiring, but opportunities are increasingly concentrated in a handful of sectors rather than spread evenly across the economy.

The labor market remains healthy overall, but where you look for work may matter more than ever.

The case could eventually strengthen consumers privacy

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can continue using its existing enforcement process to impose penalties on telecommunications companies, rejecting a challenge from Verizon and AT&T.

• The 8-1 decision preserves a key regulatory tool used by the FCC to enforce data privacy and consumer protection rules.

• The ruling stems from a dispute over nearly $100 million in FCC penalties tied to the companies' handling of customer location data.

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the Federal Communications Commissions authority to use its administrative enforcement process against telecommunications companies, dealing a setback to Verizon and AT&T in a closely watched regulatory case.

In an 8-1 decision, the Court rejected arguments from the two telecom giants that the FCCs penalty process violated their constitutional right to have disputes decided by a jury. The ruling preserves one of the agencys primary tools for enforcing federal telecommunications and data privacy laws.

For most consumers, the ruling is unlikely to have an immediate, visible impact. However, it could have important long-term consequences for privacy and consumer protection.

The case involved allegations that wireless carriers improperly shared or failed to safeguard customers' location data. By preserving the FCC's enforcement authority, the ruling makes it less likely that companies can avoid penalties through procedural challenges before regulators even reach the merits of a case.

Use of location data

The case in question arose from FCC investigations into the companies handling of customer location information. Regulators concluded that Verizon and AT&T failed to adequately protect sensitive location data and proposed penalties totaling roughly $100 million.

The carriers argued that the FCCs in-house enforcement process deprived them of due process because the agency could impose substantial penalties before the companies had an opportunity to present their case before a jury.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said the FCCs forfeiture orders do not themselves create an immediate legal obligation to pay. Instead, companies retain the ability to challenge the penalties in court before any final collection action occurs. As a result, the Court concluded that the process does not violate the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.

Victory for federal agencies

The decision marks a significant victory for the federal government and the FCC, which argued that administrative enforcement proceedings are essential to policing violations of telecommunications regulations. The Trump administration defended the agencys authority during the litigation.

The ruling comes at a time when the Supreme Court has scrutinized, andin some cases, limited the powers of federal agencies. However, the Court's decision suggests that certain long-standing enforcement mechanisms remain on solid constitutional footing.

Scammers increasingly post fake numbers to intercept calls

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Scammers are exploiting airline travelers by creating fake customer service numbers that appear prominently in online search results.

• Passengers seeking flight status updates, rebooking help, or cancellation information are being tricked into calling fraudulent numbers, and in some cases, surrendering personal and financial information.

• Consumer advocates warn travelers to obtain airline contact information directly from airline websites, mobile apps, or boarding documents rather than relying on search results.

As flight delays, cancellations, and schedule changes continue to disrupt travel plans, some airline passengers are encountering a new threat: scammers posing as airline customer service representatives through fake phone numbers that appear in online search results.

Consumer protection experts say the scheme often begins when a traveler searches online for an airline's customer service number after receiving a notification that a flight has been delayed or canceled. Fraudsters use deceptive websites, online advertisements, and manipulated search listings to place fake contact information where frustrated passengers are likely to find it.

The scam preys on travelers who are under pressure to quickly confirm a flight's status, rebook a canceled itinerary, or secure a refund. Believing they are speaking with an airline representative, victims may provide booking confirmation numbers, credit card details, passport information, or other personal data.

According to consumer complaints and reports from cybersecurity researchers, scammers often answer calls professionally, using airline names and industry terminology to establish credibility. Some falsely claim that a ticket must be reissued immediately or that additional fees are required to secure a seat on a replacement flight.

Red flags

Victims may be asked to make payments through gift cards, peer-to-peer payment services, wire transfers, or other methods that are difficult to reverse a huge red flag. In some cases, callers are instructed to download remote-access software, giving scammers access to personal computers and sensitive information.

The problem is not limited to a single carrier. Fraudulent numbers have been reported in connection with major domestic and international airlines, particularly during periods of widespread travel disruptions when demand for customer support surges.

Search engines have taken steps to remove deceptive listings and advertisements, but cybersecurity experts say scammers frequently create new websites and phone numbers, making enforcement difficult.

Airlines typically advise passengers to use official channels for flight information and customer support, including the airline's mobile app, official website, boarding pass, or confirmation email. Many carriers also provide real-time flight status updates through their apps, reducing the need to search online for assistance.

Always use the airlines app

Recently, an Iowa family vacationing in Mexico fell victim when the airlines app didnt work properly. A family member Googled the airlines customer service number but ended up talking to a scammer, who demanded $7,000 to rectify an issue.

Consumer advocates recommend that travelers be wary of any representative who requests unusual payment methods, pressures them into making immediate decisions, or asks for sensitive information that is not necessary to verify a reservation.

As summer travel ramps up, experts say vigilance remains the best defense. A simple search for a customer service number can seem harmless, but in the wrong hands, it can become the starting point for identity theft, financial fraud, and a ruined trip.

Travelers who believe they have been targeted by such a scam should immediately contact their financial institutions, notify the airline involved, and report the incident to federal and state consumer protection authorities.

The average rate declined from its recent nine-month high

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.48% this week from 6.53%, according to Freddie Mac, marking a modest improvement for homebuyers.

• Rates remain below the 6.85% average recorded a year ago, while the average 15-year fixed mortgage declined to 5.79% from 5.87%.

• Economists say affordability is improving slightly as wage growth continues to outpace home-price growth, though mortgage rates remain elevated by historical standards.

Despite the spike in bond yields, mortgage rates eased this week, providing a small boost to prospective homebuyers as the spring housing market enters its final stretch.

Freddie Mac reports that the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.48% from 6.53% a week earlier. The average remains well below the 6.85% level recorded at the same time last year.

The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, a popular refinancing option, also declined, dropping to 5.79% from 5.87% the previous week.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 6.48% this week, Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sam Khater said in the company's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey. With mortgage rates in the mid-6% range and income growth outpacing home price growth, housing affordability is marginally improving.

Down from a nine-month high

The decline comes after mortgage rates recently climbed to their highest level in roughly nine months. While the latest drop is unlikely to dramatically alter housing demand, it could encourage some buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines for borrowing costs to ease.

Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including inflation expectations, Federal Reserve policy, and movements in the bond market. In particular, lenders closely track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note when setting mortgage rates. Recent economic uncertainty and concerns about inflation have kept long-term borrowing costs elevated even as rates remain below year-ago levels.

Housing market activity continues to reflect the challenge posed by higher financing costs. Existing-home sales have remained sluggish, and mortgage application activity has softened in recent weeks as many buyers and homeowners wait for lower rates.

Improving market conditions

Some market conditions are improving for buyers. Housing inventory has increased in many markets, giving shoppers more choices than they had during the pandemic-era housing boom. Some analysts also note that home-price growth has slowed, helping offset the impact of mortgage rates that remain above 6%.

Despite this week's decline, economists generally expect mortgage rates to remain in the mid-6% range for the foreseeable future. Freddie Mac's survey shows rates have fluctuated between roughly 6% and 6.5% for much of 2026, reflecting ongoing uncertainty about inflation and economic growth.

For consumers, the latest decline offers incremental relief rather than a turning point. But even small movements in mortgage rates can affect affordability, particularly for first-time buyers facing elevated home prices and borrowing costs.