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From fake package delivery alerts to AI-powered impersonation, younger adults are losing money to online at alarming rates

• More than one in three Gen Z adults lost money to an online scam in the past year, according to new McAfee research.

• Gen Z is more likely than the average American to fall for involving fake package deliveries, phony customer support, and AI-generated impersonations.

• McAfees Head of Threat Research shares how to spot red flags, verify suspicious requests, and protect your money and personal information.

Gen Z may be comfortable navigating the digital world, but that doesnt mean theyre immune to online .

New findings from McAfee show that more than one in three Gen Z adults lost money to an online scam in the past year. Even more concerning, younger adults are falling for certain at higher rates than the general population, including fake package delivery notifications, phony customer support messages, and AI-generated impersonations.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Abhishek Karnik, Head of Threat Research at McAfee, who explained which are catching Gen Z off guard, why these schemes can be so convincing, and what consumers can do to protect themselves.

Methodology and key findings

According to McAfee, the research combined a nationally representative survey of 5,000 U.S. adults with McAfee Labs analysis of text-based scam activity.

The findings highlight how frequently Americans encounter online and how these experiences differ for Gen Z adults. More than one in three Gen Z adults reported losing money to an online scam in the past year, and younger adults were more likely than the general population to report financial losses from several specific .

The biggest differences included package delivery , which affected 25% of Gen Z adults compared with 18% of Americans overall; fake customer support , at 24% versus 18%; and AI-generated impersonation , at 20% versus 15%. McAfee also found that Gen Z encountered fake social media profiles, AI-generated images, deepfake-style videos, and fake recruiters at higher rates than the general population.

Technology may make you more susceptible to

So, why is the most tech-savvy generation falling victim to these ? Karnik explained it could be because of how they use their phones.

They've grown up shopping, banking, and tracking packages online, making it easier for fraudulent messages to blend in with everyday notifications they already expect and trust, Karnik said. Growing up online doesn't necessarily mean you're better at spotting .

Know the red flags

For Gen Z consumers who want to protect themselves, Karnik shared some of his best tips.

With AI, it's getting harder to tell if something is fake just by looking at it or listening to it, he said. A message can look like it's from a trusted company, and a voice can sound just like someone you know.

For Gen Z, I'd focus less on how convincing something looks and more on what it's asking you to do. Is someone rushing you? Asking for money or personal information? Is the request unusual or something you weren't expecting? Those are all red flags.

Other things to look for: If you get a text about a delivery issue, don't click the link. Instead, use your order confirmation number to check the tracking information directly on the retailer's app or website, Karnik recommended. And if someone you know calls with an unusual request, hang up and call them back using a number you trust.

Slow down

When all else fails, Karnik recommends that all consumers pause before making any moves especially when someone is asking for money or personal information.

My biggest advice is to slow down when something involves your money or personal information, he said. Scammers want you to act quickly. Whether that's paying a fee to secure a job, jumping on an investment opportunity, or sharing a verification code before you've had time to think. If something feels off, take a moment to verify it before acting.

His other piece of advice: Be careful about how much personal information you're putting online.

Scammers can use details shared on social media to tailor their lure and make it more believable, Karnik explained. Keep your accounts private where possible, use strong and unique passwords, and turn on multifactor authentication. A few simple habits can go a long way toward keeping your information and finances safe.

Two stores open this week, with 28 more on the way across 16 states. Here's how to check if your neighborhood is getting one

• Major expansion: Trader Joe's has announced 30 new stores across 16 states, including California, Texas, Florida, and Illinois.

• Two opening this week: New locations in Anaheim Hills, California, and West Jordan, Utah, open October 22 and 23.

• Want one near you? Trader Joe's actually lets shoppers request a new store in their city through its website.

If you've been wishing that Trader Joe's would open closer to home, you might finally be in luck.

The popular grocery chain is expanding again, with 30 new locations planned across 16 states. Two are opening this week, while the other 28 are listed as "coming soon" on the company's website.

According to Trader Joe's official announcement, the first two grand openings are:

• Anaheim Hills, California: October 22 at 9 a.m., 6336 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road

• West Jordan, Utah: October 23 at 9 a.m., 5561 W. 7800 South

The company hasn't announced specific opening dates for most of the remaining stores, and some aren't expected to open until 2027.

Complete list of 30 new Trader Joe's locations

Here's the state-by-state breakdown, including the two stores opening this week.

Arizona (2)

• Phoenix 4519 E. Thomas Road

• Phoenix 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite 1030

California (4)

• Anaheim Hills 6336 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road

• Encinitas (Leucadia) 1590 Leucadia Boulevard

• Riverbank 2135 Claribel Road

• San Diego (Clairemont) 3962 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard

Colorado (1)

• Denver 8564 E. Northfield Boulevard

Florida (3)

• Boynton Beach 334 N. Congress Avenue, Unit B

• Orlando 1444 N. Alafaya Trail

• Sarasota 8199 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 100

Illinois (4)

• Chicago 6191 N. Lincoln Avenue

• Chicago 804 W. Montrose Avenue

• Joliet 2741 Plainfield Road

• Oswego 1930 U.S. Highway 34

Maryland (1)

• Baltimore 6311 York Road

Massachusetts (1)

• Quincy 111 General McConville Way

Michigan (1)

• Farmington Hills 27658 Middlebelt Road

Nebraska (1)

• Omaha 210 N. 191st Street

New Jersey (2)

• Jersey City 55 Hudson Street

• West Orange 471 Mt. Pleasant Avenue

New York (2)

• Syracuse 3515 W. Genesee Street

• Yonkers 2482 Central Park Avenue

Ohio (1)

• University Heights 2643 Warrensville Center Road

Oregon (1)

• Bend 61284 S. Highway 97

Texas (3)

• Bellaire 5130 Bellaire Boulevard, Suite 100

• Cedar Park 1800 E. Whitestone Boulevard

• Mansfield 1580 E. Debbie Lane

Utah (1)

• West Jordan 5561 W. 7800 South

Washington (2)

• Seattle 401 NE Northgate Way

• Spokane Valley 13414 E. Sprague Avenue

How to check when your new Trader Joe's will open

If your city made the list, don't assume the store is opening immediately.

Trader Joe's typically adds locations to its upcoming store list three to six months before opening, although some take longer.

With that said, three newly announced locations aren't expected to open until 2027. They include Phoenix, Arizona on East Thomas Road, Boynton Beach, Florida, and the location in Bend, Oregon.

Pro tip: Bookmark the Trader Joe's store opening announcements page. The company updates individual announcements with grand opening dates and other details as they become available.

No Trader Joe's nearby? Request one

Here's something many shoppers don't realize. Trader Joe's actually lets customers suggest where the company should open their next location.

Visit the Request a Trader Joe's in My City page to make it happen.

You simply enter your city, state, and ZIP code, then explain why your community would be a good fit for a TJs.

Instead of simply asking for a Trader Joe's, suggest a specific shopping center or neighborhood that's convenient for local residents. While there's obviously no guarantee a request will lead to a new store, it serves as an actionable and direct way to let the company know where there's interest.

3 ways to save when your new store opens

A new Trader Joe's can be exciting, but don't assume everything is cheaper than your regular grocery store.

1. Compare unit prices. Check the price per ounce or pound, especially on snacks, frozen meals, and packaged foods. Smaller packages aren't necessarily better deals.

2. Shop with a list. Trader Joe's is known for unique products and seasonal favorites. Stick to what you need before experimenting with unfamiliar items.

3. Try before you stock up. Limited-time products can create a sense of urgency. This is why its smart to buy one first to make sure you actually like it before filling your freezer or pantry.

Fake recruiters are using job searches to steal personal information and money, raising new concerns about how applicants can protect themselves

• More than half of recent job seekers surveyed said they were targeted by fake recruiters, with some experiencing identity theft or financial losses.

• Red flags include rushed hiring processes, suspicious email addresses, interviews conducted only through messaging apps, and requests for sensitive information.

• Cloaked CEO Arjun Bhatnagar recommends using separate contact information for job applications, securing online accounts, and acting quickly if you suspect a scam.

Looking for a job is stressful enough without having to worry about whether a recruiter is real. But new research suggests fake hiring opportunities are becoming another risk for job seekers.

A study by Cloaked found that 55% encountered fake recruiters during their search. Some applicants faced even more serious consequences, including stolen identities, misused online accounts, and financial losses.

To better understand how these work and what job seekers should watch out for, ConsumerAffairs spoke with Arjun Bhatnagar, CEO of Cloaked, about the growing privacy risks facing people looking for work.

Methodology

Cloaked surveyed 1,012 U.S. adults who had applied for at least one job in the previous 12 months.

Conducted in August 2026, the survey asked respondents about the personal information they shared while job hunting, their experiences with fake recruiters, and the privacy risks they encountered. Participants represented multiple generations and industries.

Key findings

The findings revealed how common job-related and privacy risks have become.

More than half of respondents (55%) said they had been targeted by a fake recruiter, and 17% of those targeted reported that their identity or an online account had been misused. Among those targeted, 10% said they had lost money, while 42% said a scam recruiter had asked them to upload an identification document or provide their Social Security number.

The report also found that 60% of job seekers who suspected they had encountered AI-generated or deepfake content saw it in a job posting or listing.

Know how to spot the

Bhatnagar shared some of the biggest red flags that job seekers should keep in mind. His biggest red flag to look out for: when the process moves too fast.

Someone may look credible on LinkedIn and know the right industry terms, but then they rush you into a text-only interview, push you onto WhatsApp or Telegram, or start asking for information before there has been a tough conversation about the job, he said.

Id also check the recruiters email domain carefully, especially if it is close to a companys real domain but not exact. And if someone offers you a job without a proper interview or sends you a check to buy equipment, one should stop the process immediately.

Protecting your identity

If youve lost money or had your identity stolen because of a job scam, Bhatnagar recommends acting quickly to protect your personal information.

Act quickly and contact the bank, card issuer, payment app, or wire service involved, he said/ Ask whether the payment can be stopped, recalled, or disputed, and if a check was part of the scam, call the bank before moving any of that money.

After that, change passwords, turn on multi-factor authentication, and consider a fraud alert or credit freeze if identity information was exposed. Keep copies of the emails, texts, job posting, payment records, and recruiter profile too, because those details can disappear once the scammer realizes theyve been reported.

More advice for job seekers

With nearly 20% of job seekers having issues with their accounts being misused or their identity stolen, Bhatnagar shared some additional advice to protect your digital life during your job search.

Id separate the job search from your everyday digital life as much as possible, he said. A dedicated email address and a second or masked phone number can keep your main accounts from being tied to every application you submit.

A rsum usually does not need your full home address, date of birth, Social Security number, or banking details. References can wait until later in the process. Its also worth going back after the search ends and removing old rsums or profiles, because they can stay publicly searchable much longer than people realize.

Guests probably like the check-out policy change; hosts probably dont

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Airbnb will generally prohibit hosts from asking guests to strip beds, do laundry or wash and put away dishes for reservations booked on or after November 20.

• Some hosts say the restrictions undermine basic expectations of courtesy and could increase cleaning costs for travelers.

• Guests can still be asked to gather towels, put dishes in the sink and secure the property, and remain responsible for damage or excessive mess.

Airbnb is drawing a sharper line between being a considerate guest and serving as an unpaid cleaner and some property owners are pushing back.

The companys new house rules policy, applying to reservations booked on or after November 20, 2026, generally bars hosts from requesting cleaning tasks that take substantial time or would ordinarily be performed by a cleaner. Those include stripping beds, taking garbage off-site, and washing and putting away dishes.

The change addresses a familiar traveler complaint: paying a cleaning fee, then discovering a checkout checklist that turns the final morning of vacation into a housekeeping shift. Airbnb says the update is intended to make expectations clearer and eliminate surprises.

Where Airbnb draws the line

The policy allows some simple requests. Hosts can ask travelers to collect used towels, place dirty dishes in the sink, separate garbage and recycling into designated indoor bins, and turn off air conditioning when leaving.

Airbnb will consider exceptions based on the property and local conditions, such as asking guests to use an animal-proof trash container in bear country. Hosts also retain standard rules governing smoking, pets, quiet hours, events, overnight guest limits, commercial photography and locking up at checkout.

All rules and requests must appear in the designated listing section when the guest books. Hosts cannot introduce new obligations afterward through messages, signs inside the property or instructions delivered in person.

Why hosts are objecting

On Airbnbs community forum, some hosts argue that washing personal dishes is basic courtesy, particularly in homes with kitchens and shared spaces.

A German host identified as Sabine, who rents two vacation apartments with her husband, said the change creates additional work and potentially higher costs for small operators. Another host questioned how the restrictions would work during longer stays, saying the listing editor had rejected a request to move full garbage bags to a disposal room on the same floor. Others threatened to stop hosting. These comments reflect individual hosts concerns, rather than a representative survey.

Some hosts have warned that higher cleaning costs could ultimately be passed to guests. That remains a prediction; the policy does not establish higher fees or eliminate hosts ability to charge for cleaning.

Guests still have responsibilities

The restrictions do not give travelers permission to leave a property excessively dirty.

Airbnbs guest rules say cleaning fees cover routine work between reservations, including laundry and vacuuming. Guests remain responsible for damage and may face reasonable reimbursement requests for unexpected cleaning costs. Hosts can also leave cleanliness ratings and reviews, although they cannot charge penalties simply because guests failed to complete particular checkout chores.

For travelers, the practical step is to read the listings rules before booking and contact Airbnb if a host adds conflicting demands. Airbnb says persistent violations by hosts may lead to warnings, notices on listings or reduced visibility in search results.