Consumer News: Thanksgiving dinner costs are down 17% in 2026, mostly due to lower turkey prices

A growing financial scam: Criminals are convincing victims to withdraw money from bank accounts, purchase gold bars or coins, and hand them over to couriers who promise to keep the assets safe.

Impersonating trusted authorities: Scammers often pose as FBI agents, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officials, bank fraud investigators, or other authorities, claiming victims' accounts are at risk.

Once the gold is gone, recovery is difficult: Authorities warn that legitimate government agencies and financial institutions will never instruct consumers to buy gold and give it to a courier for safekeeping.

This scam has been around for several months, but its still victimizing the public so its important to spread the word. Criminals continue to tell victims their savings are at risk and the best way to protect their money is to buy gold and hand it over to a stranger for safekeeping.

The scheme, sometimes called a gold courier scam, relies on fear, deception, and the appearance of official authority. Victims may believe they are cooperating with a government investigation or protecting their retirement savings from criminals.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs

Record-breaking prices: The average price paid for a new vehicle reached $51,109 in October 2026, an all-time high and an increase of $649 from September.

SUVs and pickups are driving prices higher: Strong demand for larger, more expensive vehicles is pushing up the industry average, even as many consumers continue buying less expensive models.

Some relief for buyers: New vehicle prices rose just 2.1% over the past year, below historical averages, while manufacturer incentives increased slightly.

The price of a new car has reached another milestone, and it's not one consumers are likely to celebrate.

The average transaction price for a new vehicle in the United States climbed to a record $51,109 in October, according to a new report from Kelley Blue Book, a division of Cox Automotive.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs

Higher cancer risk: Women with elevated levels of two common forever chemicals had a significantly greater risk of developing an aggressive form of breast cancer, according to a new National Institutes of Health (NIH) study.

Nearly double the risk: Women with the highest levels of one chemical had a 93% higher rate of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, while another chemical was associated with a 67% increase.

Widespread exposure: The chemicals have been used in everyday consumer products and can remain in the human body for years, raising questions about their long-term health effects.

Two widely-used chemicals found in consumer products and the environment may significantly increase women's risk of developing an aggressive form of breast cancer, according to new research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that women with higher blood levels of two chemicals known as PFOA and PFOS were more likely to develop estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative) breast cancer.

Author: Mark Huffman
Source: Consumer Affairs

Thanksgiving could be the perfect day to start: An eligible 30-day free trial starting November 26 could cover Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and most of the Christmas shopping season.

Walmart+ and Target Circle 360 offers opportunities, too: But the length, cost, and benefits differ, so timing matters.

Don't forget to cancel: Most trials automatically convert into paid memberships unless you cancel before the renewal date.

If you're planning to do a lot of Christmas shopping online this year, there's a simple trick that could save you money: Wait to activate your free membership trials.

Amazon Prime, Walmart+, and Target Circle 360 all offer introductory trial opportunities that can make holiday shopping more convenient. But instead of signing up the moment you see an offer, you may be better off waiting until a specific date.

Author: Kyle James
Source: Consumer Affairs