Storyteller Overland, Wabash Trailer, and Forest River are part of this week's recall roundup

```

A new survey finds rising food costs are changing shopping habits, with many consumers turning to store brands and discount retailers

• 82% of Americans say food and beverage prices are hitting them harder than gas, making groceries the most painful inflation category right now.

• Rising prices are reshaping shopping habits, with 60% of consumers dropping brand loyalty and many switching to store brands or discount grocers to save money.

• Experts say simple strategies like meal planning, shopping with a list, and choosing private-label products can help shoppers stretch their grocery budgets.

Americans have grown used to paying more for everyday essentials, but many say its the grocery store not the gas station thats putting the biggest strain on their budgets.

A new survey from supply chain software company DOSS found that 82% of consumers say food and beverage prices are hitting them harder than fuel costs, prompting many shoppers to rethink what they buy and where they shop. Rising prices are also weakening brand loyalty, with consumers increasingly choosing store brands, discount grocers and cheaper alternatives to stretch their dollars.

To break it all down, ConsumerAffairs spoke with David Appel, VP of Marketing at DOSS.

Have grocery prices risen as quickly as gas prices?

Appel explained that gas prices often grab attention because they can change overnight and are visible on every street corner.

Theyre also influenced by everything from crude oil markets to refinery outages and geopolitical events, he said. But grocery inflation is often felt more frequently. Our research found that 82% of Americans say food and beverage prices are among the most painful inflation categories they face today, compared to 76% who say the same about gas.

Whether its a full grocery run or a quick stop for essentials, consumers encounter higher food prices several times a week, while gas expenses depend more on how often they drive.

Using store brands to your advantage

One of the best ways to stretch your dollar at the grocery store is opting for store brands instead of private-label brands.

The perception of private-label quality just isnt what it used to be, and its no longer seen as a compromise, Appel said. When nearly 7 in 10 Americans believe store brands are just as good as name brands, that really emphasizes the shift in consumer perceptions and behavior.

Whether its canned goods, frozen veggies, pasta, dairy products, or pantry basics, the savings really do add up, and theres not a noticeable dip in quality either.

Appel said that when it comes to items to avoid purchasing from store brands, focus on items where the formulation or performance matters, like coffee, specialty sauces, baby products, or particular cleaning supplies.

Having a list can save you money

If youre looking to save money on groceries, Appel recommends taking the time to do your homework before you ever get into the store.

When youre focusing on the price of individual items, many tend to overlook how fast impulse buys, convenience foods, or even extra trips to the store pile up over the course of a month, he said.

Instead of going into a store without a plan, plan your meals and make a list of things you need to replace. The extra couple of minutes can help you avoid impulse purchases.

Another pitfall is shopping based on habit instead of price, Appel said. Folks will continue to buy the same brands because theyre familiar, even as the prices increase.

Shrinkflation is another factor shoppers underestimate. You believe youre paying the same price as before, but youre often getting less of the product. This hidden increase in cost per serving can nudge your grocery spending far beyond what youre expecting to get.

How to keep up with rising grocery prices

While prices are increasing, there are ways to maximize your budget. Appel shared his best advice for shoppers:

Dont beat yourself up over switching brands, or going with something less flashy or recognizable, he said. Many shoppers are abandoning brands they were loyal to for years because their prices just dont feel reasonable considering the economic climate.

Its a normal response to inflation, not a reflection of your personal finances or self-worth. You have to protect your overall budget rather than stick to old shopping habits. There are plenty of ways to stretch your budget, from store brands to buying in bulk, or switching grocery stores, and you have more leverage than it can feel like. Trust me, retailers are already seeing it and it doesnt hurt to vote with your wallet.

Some more grocery store tips:

• Start with a meal plan, build your list around weekly promotions, look for coupons, and be brand flexible. Maybe if chicken is on sale that week instead of beef, adjust the menu.

• Dont ignore discount grocers, warehouse clubs, and private-label products. Big savings typically come from changing where you shop and what brands you throw in your cart, not just clipping a few extra coupons. Youll be saving way more money if you get a dollar off 20 items vs hunting for that one big discount.

A new survey finds nearly three in 10 Americans have faced phishing or identity theft after their personal information appeared online

• Nearly three in 10 consumers say they've been targeted by phishing or identity theft after their personal information was exposed online, according to a new survey from Cloaked.

• Experts warn that AI tools can make scattered personal information easier to find and use, potentially helping scammers craft more convincing attacks.

• While completely erasing your digital footprint is difficult, regularly auditing your online presence, removing old accounts, and tightening privacy settings can help reduce your risk.

Scammers have always looked for ways to exploit personal information, but new technology and the sheer amount of data available online are making those schemes more sophisticated and harder to avoid.

A new survey from privacy company Cloaked found that nearly three in 10 consumers say they have been targeted by phishing attempts or identity theft after their personal information was exposed online.

At the same time, many Americans worry that too much of their information is publicly available, while others remain unaware that AI tools can surface details about them with a simple search.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Annmarie Giblin, chief compliance officer and deputy general counsel at Cloaked, who explained that consumers need to understand what information is already out there and take steps to limit their exposure before scammers, employers, or even strangers use it against them.

An ongoing process

Giblin explained that one of the biggest hurdles to removing personal data from the internet is the tension between the complexity of the data economy and the need to share personal information in order to live in our world.

Most people don't know much about the data broker economy nor do they understand how their data is collected, bought, and sold, and how it creates a never ending loop of sharing and selling, she said.

This also makes data removal a constant process, because a person can successfully delete their personal information from one broker, only to find the same information republished somewhere else weeks later. Most people expect a single opt-out process; but in reality, its a whack-a-mole type of problem that requires persistence and repeated follow-up.

The risks of personal information on the internet

Cloakeds survey revealed that 47% of consumers don't know they can search themselves on AI tools like ChatGPT. Its important for consumers to understand that while there are risks of personal data surfacing on these platforms, there are also ways to protect yourself.

The risk with AI search is that it can make scattered personal information appear organized, summarized, and easier to digest and use, Giblin said. A standard search engine might show a list of links, but an AI tool can connect context across sources in a way that makes a persons digital footprint easy to understand at a glance.

While this can be useful for consumers doing a self-audit, it can also help scammers or bad actors build more convincing messages or assumptions about someone especially if they layer behavioral analytics onto the data points to build a psychological profile on the individual.

Pro tip: Giblin recommends that consumers search their name, phone number, email, and city across search engines, people-search sites, and AI tools. Then, remove what you can, tighten social media privacy settings, and avoid posting real-time location (including vacations) or identifying details publicly.

What to do if your data is part of a public exposure

Giblin explained that most people have a lot of personal information exposed and they don't even realize it.

However, if youre notified about a data breach that impacts you, or if you realize your information is somewhere where it shouldnt be, here are some tips:

• First try to document exactly where the information appears before trying to remove it.

• Request removal from the source.

• Change passwords on key accounts.

• Turn on multi-factor authentication.

• Monitor for unusual activity across bank, credit, email, and phone accounts.

• Remain skeptical of sudden texts, calls, or emails that reference personal details.

Scammers often use exposed information to make their outreach feel legitimate, Giblin said. And as noted, because everyone's information is already out there, it's a safe bet to assume that it could also be in the hands of someone who might misuse it and keep that skepticism for unknown reachouts.

Can you reduce your digital footprint?

The survey found that 50% of consumers feel their information is too public. If youre trying to reduce your digital footprint, here are Giblins top tips:

• Do a digital audit every few months. Search your name, phone number, email address, usernames, and city.

• Remove people-search listings.

• Close accounts you no longer use.

• Update privacy settings.

• Separate your professional presence from your personal life as much as possible.

• Set alerts for your name.

• Be intentional about what you post going forward, especially anything tied to your location, family members, workplace, or daily routines.

• Avoid things like just giving out your phone number at stores and freely sharing information for discounts and other benefits.

You may not be able to erase yourself from the internet completely, but you can make your information harder to find and exploit, Giblin said.

Why this retail partnership could mean bigger savings

• One rewards account, two stores. Shoppers can now earn and redeem rewards at both JCPenney and Aropostale, with every 200 points earning a $10 CashPass.

• Free bonus for joining. New members get a $10 CashPass through JCPenney or a $5 CashPass through Aropostale, plus chances to earn extra rewards through shopping challenges.

• Good news for families. Combining purchases across both stores can help shoppers earn rewards faster, especially during back-to-school season.

Loyalty programs are everywhere these days, but most come with the one major limitation that you can only earn and spend rewards at a single retailer.

That's changing for shoppers at JCPenney and Aropostale.

Starting Monday, June 22, parent company Catalyst Brands is launching Rewards Access, a new loyalty program that lets customers earn and redeem rewards across both retailers. In other words, purchases at either store can help unlock discounts that can be used at either brand.

For families juggling back-to-school shopping, clothing purchases, and home essentials, the new program could make it easier to earn rewards faster.

How Rewards Access works

The program combines rewards earning between JCPenney and Aropostale.

Customers earn points when shopping at either retailer, and every 200 points unlocks a $10 CashPass reward that can be redeemed at either store.

Catalyst Brands is also adding bonus earning opportunities through shopping challenges. Customers can earn an additional $5 CashPass for completing certain activities, many of which are tied to everyday shopping habits such as:

• Shopping early for back-to-school

• Buying home essentials

• Trying new beauty products

• Refreshing seasonal wardrobes

New members can also receive a welcome reward just for signing up.

How do shoppers sign-up for the program

You can sign-up online at both JCPenney.com or Aeropostale.com, as well as in-store at both retailers.

If you sign-up through JCPenneys website, youll get $10 CashPass for free, and if you sign-up through Aeropostales website, youll receive a $5 CashPass.

Why this matters

Most retailer rewards programs keep customers locked into a single brand. The advantage here is increased flexibility.

For example, a parent buying school clothes for a teenager at Aropostale could use those purchases to earn rewards that are later redeemed at JCPenney for home goods, shoes, beauty products, or additional apparel.

The shared rewards pool may also help occasional shoppers reach reward thresholds faster than they would through a traditional single-store program.

Catalyst Brands also owns Brooks Brothers, Lucky Brand, and Nautica. It will be interesting to watch if these brands get included in this joint rewards program in the future.

Tips to maximize the program

• Sign up before making your next purchase. The "welcome reward" alone can provide immediate value on a future purchase.

• Stack rewards with sales and coupons. Both retailers regularly run promotions, and rewards are often most valuable when combined with already-discounted merchandise.

• Watch for bonus challenges. Completing simple shopping tasks could unlock extra CashPass rewards without requiring additional spending.

• Use one account for the family. Consolidating purchases into a single loyalty account can help households earn rewards more quickly.