Consumer News: ‘Vote for my friend’ scam can give criminals access to your WhatsApp account

The Cyclospora outbreak may have extended to six more states

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Chipotle removed jalapeos from affected restaurants and replaced them with peppers from different growers.

• Minnesota officials have identified 110 Salmonella cases; 75 of 84 people interviewed reported eating at Chipotle.

• Investigators have not confirmed the peppers as the source, and the suspected lot reached multiple restaurant operators and states.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has removed jalapeos from some restaurants after the peppers emerged as a possible link to a Salmonella outbreak under investigation in Minnesota and other states.

The company said that its ingredient-tracing system identified jalapeos from a common lot as a potential shared ingredient. Chipotle removed the peppers from every restaurant that received the lot and replaced them with jalapeos supplied by different growers.

The health and safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority, the company said in an August 4 statement.

Minnesota health officials have identified 110 cases connected through genetic sequencing. Of 84 patients interviewed, 75 said they had eaten at Chipotle between June 14 and July 14. Other patients reported visiting a variety of Mexican-style restaurants, suggesting the suspected ingredient may have circulated beyond Chipotle.

No supplier has been publicly identified, and authorities have not conclusively established that jalapeos caused the illnesses. Chipotle described their removal as a precaution rather than a formal consumer recall.

Cyclospora outbreak may be growing

The move coincides with another expanding food issue. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reportedly expanded the current Cyclospora outbreak to 15 states. According to the Washington Post, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina have been added to the list of states where consumers have been sickened by the parasite.

The overwhelming majority of cases have been reported in Michigan, where more than 11,000 people have been sickened. Two people in Michigan have died from the foodborne illness.

Health officials are still trying to determine why so many cases have occurred in one state. Nationwide, more than 18,000 have gotten ill from eating contaminated food.

Nearly 15,000 consumers entered debt management plans so far this year

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Money Management International enrolled nearly 15,000 consumers in debt management plans during the first half of 2026, its highest midyear total since tracking began in 2017.

• A credit counselor can review a household budget, recommend repayment strategies and possibly arrange lower interest rates or waived fees.

• Counselors cannot erase legitimate debts, guarantee creditor concessions or remove accurate negative information from a credit report.

A record number of financially strained Americans are seeking professional help with their debts as years of higher prices and costly credit card borrowing take a growing toll.

Nearly 15,000 consumers entered debt management plans through Money Management International during the first six months of 2026. That was the nonprofit counseling organizations highest year-to-date total since it began tracking enrollments in 2017, according to data reported by USA Today.

The average participant entered a plan owing approximately $40,000.

MMI also provided financial counseling to more than 40,000 households during the first half of the year. The number of counseling sessions has risen for five consecutive years and is 143% higher than in 2021.

The figures do not represent every credit counselor in the United States. However, they provide a snapshot of mounting financial pressure as consumers struggle with elevated living costs, high credit card interest rates and record household debt.

U.S. household debt reached a record $18.8 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Consumer prices, meanwhile, have increased approximately 27% since early 2021.

Younger adults are among those seeking help. Generation Z consumers, ages 18 to 29, were MMIs fastest-growing client group, increasing 35% over the last year.

Millennials accounted for 56% of the organizations clients and had an average unsecured debt balance of $43,533. Generation X clients had the largest average balance, at $53,350.

What a credit counselor can do

A reputable counselor typically begins by reviewing the consumers income, living expenses, debts and financial goals. The counselor may then help create a budget, identify which debts should receive priority and recommend steps the consumer can take independently.

If the household has enough income to repay its unsecured debts but cannot keep up with current payments, the counselor may propose a debt management plan.

Under such a plan, the consumer generally makes one monthly payment to the counseling organization, which distributes the money to participating creditors. Creditors may agree to reduce interest rates, waive certain fees or accept a more manageable payment schedule.

However, those concessions are not guaranteed.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says counselors can also help consumers obtain their credit reports, understand their credit scores and develop a personalized plan for addressing their money problems.

Credit counseling is different from debt settlement. Counseling organizations generally try to help consumers repay what they owe, while debt settlement companies attempt to persuade creditors to accept less than the full balance.

What a counselor cannot do

A credit counselor cannot force a lender or debt collector to accept a payment plan, lower an interest rate or forgive part of a balance.

The counselor also cannot legally remove accurate negative information from a credit report. Late payments, charge-offs and other valid information may remain on a report for years, even after a consumer enters a repayment program.

Nor can a counselor stop a creditor from filing a lawsuit, guarantee a higher credit score or make unaffordable debt disappear. In some cases, the counselor may conclude that a debt management plan is not workable and suggest that the consumer speak with a bankruptcy attorney.

Consumers should be suspicious of anyone who promises instant debt forgiveness, guarantees results or claims access to a special government debt-relief program. The Federal Trade Commission says an unexpected call or text promising fast relief while requesting personal or financial information is a strong indication of a scam.

How to choose a counselor

The CFPB suggests beginning with organizations affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Financial Counseling Association of America. The Justice Department also maintains a list of agencies approved to provide counseling required before bankruptcy.

Before signing up, consumers should:

• Ask for a complete written list of services and fees.

• Verify that counselors receive training and independent certification.

• Check the organization with the state attorney general or consumer-protection agency.

• Avoid an agency that recommends a debt management plan before reviewing the entire financial picture.

• Ask whether employees receive commissions for enrolling clients.

• Confirm proposed concessions directly with creditors.

• Read the contract and understand which debts areand are notincluded.

Nonprofit status alone does not guarantee that an organization is inexpensive or trustworthy. A reputable agency should provide basic information without first demanding sensitive financial details, explain all options and offer help even when a consumer cannot afford substantial fees.

A mental health expert shares practical ways to ease the back-to-school jitters

• Back-to-school is a process, not a day. Mental health expert Elizabeth Keohan says parents should focus less on a perfect first day and more on helping kids adjust over the first few weeks

• Know the difference between jitters and warning signs. Some anxiety is normal, but lasting changes in behavior or withdrawal from friends may signal a child needs extra support.

• Build confidence through routine. Practice school mornings, ease back into bedtimes, and let kids make small choices to help reduce anxiety.

For many families, back-to-school season means shopping for supplies, packing lunches, and ajusting to new schedules. But beneath the excitement, many parents and students are also experiencing anxiety as summer routines give way to new teachers, classmates, and academic expectations.

To help families navigate the transition, ConsumerAffairs interviewed Elizabeth Keohan, a licensed clinical social worker and member of the Talkspace Council of Mental Health Experts.

One of the biggest mistakes parents make, according to Keohan, is viewing back-to-school as a single event rather than a transition period that takes place over several weeks. "Back to school is a process, not an event," she said, explaining that students of every age return from summer having grown and changed in ways that aren't always obvious.

Instead of trying to make everything perfect on the first day, she encourages parents to "leave room for grace, error, and growth." This is especially true as kids adjust to new routines, teachers, classmates, and different expectations.

Don't expect perfection on day one

It's easy to fall into the trap of believing the first day sets the tone for the entire school year. Parents spend weeks buying the right backpack, organizing supplies, and making sure every detail is in place.

While preparation is helpful, Keohan says it's more important to focus on helping children adapt over time than on creating a flawless first day. She encourages parents to stay open to the unexpected instead of worrying about "getting this year just right."

What parents can do: Instead of asking, "Did everything go okay?" after school, try asking questions like, "What surprised you today?" or "What's something you're looking forward to tomorrow?" Open-ended questions often lead to more meaningful conversations.

Know when normal jitters become something more

Feeling nervous before school starts is completely normal. Most children settle into new routines after the first few days or weeks.

Parents should become more concerned, Keohan says, if anxiety begins changing a child's normal behavior. Pay attention to withdrawals like spending less time with friends, losing interest in favorite activities, avoiding family interactions, or even spending noticeably less time on their phones. These can signal that additional support may be needed.

She also urges parents not to second-guess themselves if they notice something seems off. "The moment you notice is the right moment," she said. "It shows you care."

Parents' anxiety can be contagious

Back-to-school stress isn't limited to students. Parents often worry about academic success, friendships, extracurricular activities, and whether their children will have a successful year.

Keohan says much of that anxiety comes from looking too far ahead. Parents naturally want the best for their children, but focusing too much on what the year should look like can create unnecessary pressure for everyone.

Instead, she recommends practicing mindfulness and staying focused on the present. Slowing down, observing instead of constantly trying to achieve or fix every challenge, helps create a calmer environment that children often mirror themselves.

What parents can do: Children frequently pick up on their parents' emotions. Remaining flexible and calm (even when schedules get hectic) can help reduce their anxiety.

Build routines before school begins

One of the simplest ways to ease the transition is to establish school-year routines before classes begin.

For example, try gradually moving bedtime earlier several days before school starts. You can even practice the school-day routine and pack backpacks the night before, and eat breakfast on the same schedule you'll follow during the year. Make it a fun trial run and let your kids get excited about the new routines.

These small habits reduce uncertainty and help children feel more confident about what's coming.

What parents can do: Do one complete "practice school morning" before the first day. It helps children know what to expect and can uncover last-minute issues before they become stressful.

Give children opportunities to feel in control

Much of back-to-school anxiety comes from uncertainty.

While parents can't eliminate every unknown, they can give children small decisions that give them a sense of control.

For example, let them choose their backpack, first-day outfit, lunch container, or let them organize the spot where theyll do their homework. Even giving them some simple choices can put them in control and will help to build their confidence.

Three reminders every family can use

If Keohan could leave families with just three pieces of advice, they would be simple: let go of control, get excited for the unknown, and grow alongside your child.

Back-to-school season doesn't have to be perfect. Think of it more as a time of adjustments rather than this one high-pressure day. By doing so, families can reduce anxiety, build-up some resilience, and help kids start the new school year with some confidence.

New technology aims to keep your drink safe

• A smart bracelet could help detect drink-spiking drugs. The device is still in development and isn't yet available to consumers.

• Don't rely on technology alone. Keep your drink in sight, watch it being made, and stay with trusted friends.

• Act quickly if something feels off. If your drink seems unusual or you suddenly feel far more intoxicated than expected, get help immediately.

Whether you're heading to a concert, bar, or college party, a new wearable device could soon add another layer of protection against drink tampering.

Developed by startup Elora Armor, the bracelet (along with pendants and keychains planned for the future) contains a sensor that can detect benzodiazepines, a class of drugs commonly associated with drink spiking.

How exactly does the bracelet work

Users place a small drop of their drink on the sensor, and a connected smartphone app analyzes the sample. If a suspected drug is detected, the app alerts the user and can automatically send their live location to preselected emergency contacts.

While the technology is still being developed and isn't yet commercially available, safety experts say it could become a very useful tool down the road.

The important caveat is that consumers don't treat the technology as a substitute for basic safety precautions.

Technology can help but awareness still matters

No device can detect every possible substance or eliminate the risk of drink tampering.

Experts continue to recommend keeping drinks within sight, accepting beverages only from trusted servers or bartenders, and staying with friends when going out.

The new bracelet is designed to complement those habits, not necessarily replace them.

How to protect yourself

• Create a safety network before you go out. Share your location with a trusted friend, agree on a meeting spot, and establish a code word in case someone needs help leaving quickly.

• Don't ignore sudden symptoms. If you become intoxicated much faster than expected, feel unusually dizzy, confused, or struggle to stay awake, tell someone you trust immediately and seek medical attention. Don't try to "sleep it off."

• Think beyond bars. Drink spiking can happen at house parties, concerts, festivals, and other crowded events. No matter where you are, never leave your drink unattended or accept one that's already been opened or poured by someone you don't know.

• Watch your drink being made. Order directly from the bartender or server whenever possible, and avoid accepting drinks that have already been poured or left unattended.

• Trust your instincts. If a drink tastes, smells, or looks unusual (or if someone is pressuring you to drink it) don't take the risk. Throw it away and order a fresh one.

• Keep a hand over your drink in crowded places. Whether you're walking through a crowd, dancing, or talking with friends, covering your cup can reduce the chance of someone slipping something into it.