Worthless Gift Cards

"Watch Out for Worthless Gift Cards."
Americans love giving and receiving gift cards: Sales are projected to reach $308 billion in 2024, according to Javelin Strategy & Research, a company that tracks the industry, up from $124 billion 10 years ago.

Unfortunately, soaring sales are accompanied by gift card theft, an easy heist that carries little risk of getting caught. Stealing money from gift cards has become so lucrative that foreign fraudsters are now involved. U.S. law enforcement is focusing on criminal gangs in China that are targeting the U.S. gift card market (more on that later).

The most common way thieves drain money from gift cards is by shoplifting them from supermarkets and other retailers and then manipulating the package to steal the card information. The compromised cards are then placed back in stores, and the stolen information is added to a computer program that tracks the cards to see when they are activated.

“The minute you load money onto one of those cards, the crooks are notified, and they instantly drain it, sometimes even before you leave the store,” said Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support at the AARP Fraud Watch Network. “Unfortunately, the theft may not be discovered for weeks or even months after the purchase, when the recipient uses the card and it’s worthless.”

Formerly an occasional nuisance, gift card draining is now a common crime. A 2022 AARP Fraud Watch Network survey found that a quarter (23 percent) of American consumers have given or received gift cards that had no funds on them. The average loss was $140.

But no one really knows how much money is drained from gift cards each year. The National Association of Retailers doesn’t track these losses, and FBI data does not have a separate category for this crime.

READ more at: https://www.checkbook.org/delaware-valley-area/consumers-notebook/articles/Watch-Out-for-Worthless-Gift-Cards-7884

Unreliable Appliance Brands

"Unreliable Appliance Brands To Avoid At All Costs, According To Home Improvement Experts."

Your cherry-red single-door or bottom-freezer refrigerator might have been all the rage once upon a time. But you're not alone if you've outgrown these models and need something smart and sleek to complement your trendy interiors. Or, perhaps you're tired of dealing with your on-again, off-again HVAC system, inefficient dishwasher, or sputtering microwave. Whatever the reason, there are two things you should keep in mind when buying appliances. First, be aware of the best time of year to purchase a new home appliance. Second, avoid buying products from certain brands to save your future version from constant headaches.

To identify the problematic companies, look at expert reviews, go through customer ratings, and speak with in-store experts. Given the diversity of information, it can be confusing to pinpoint the brands you should steer clear of and the brands you should invest in. This is why we spoke exclusively to six experts and collated a list of brands you should avoid at all costs in popular categories, like HVAC systems, refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves. While expert opinion varies based on the category, most recommend spending more upfront for a quality product over picking a relatively cheap product and bearing costly repairs down the line. That being said, here are a few unreliable appliance brands you should avoid and what to buy instead.

Read More: https://www.housedigest.com/1707717/appliance-brands-avoid-buying-expert/

The Buy Now Pay Later Problem

"Buy Now, Pay Later Often a Debt Trap."
by Herb Weisbaum, The ConsumerMan

Despite stretched household budgets and concerns about the economy, American shoppers are expected to spend more—and take on more debt—this holiday season. Consumer spending on gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal items is expected to hit a record of $902 per person, $25 more than last year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey.

The number of shoppers using buy now, pay later (BNPL) financing continues to grow. Adobe predicts BNPL will hit a record $9.5 billion during the month of November and it forecasts that Cyber Monday 2024 will be BNPL’s largest day ever, at $993 million.

The financial technology companies offering these point-of-sale loans (and they are loans) have a marketing message that appeals to cash-strapped families who don’t have credit or have maxed out their cards. They promote BNPL as “a smarter way” to pay than with credit cards, one that offers “flexibility” and “no surprises.” Approval is instant, and there’s no hard credit check.

When used wisely, these loans can help consumers deal with cash flow problems without turning to more expensive credit, such as payday loans or high-interest credit cards. When they aren’t used wisely, they can turn into high-cost loans with serious consequences.

READ more at: https://www.checkbook.org/boston-area/buy-now-pay-later/

Should Clean with Vinegar

"15 Things You Should Clean With Vinegar"
Learn tips and techniques for effectively cleaning various household items and surfaces using vinegar.

 Vinegar is a powerhouse in the kitchen, whether it’s adding oomph to a pie, rise to a cake, preserving berries, or adding zip to barbecue sauce. However, it's not just for cooking. Long a secret of Southern grandmas, white vinegar is a natural, budget-friendly solution to keep your home sparkling. “Vinegar is seriously awesome for cleaning,” says Elizabeth Shields of Super Cleaning Service Louisville. “The best part is it's super eco-friendly and won't break the bank.”

This versatile liquid, which is probably already in your kitchen cabinet, is great for cutting through grease, removing stains, neutralizing odors, and tackling a variety of household tasks, like making the bathtub sparkle. We polled experts and they shared some of the many ways they use vinegar to keep their homes clean. One note of caution: Vinegar is so effective, because it is acidic. However, because it is so acidic, there are certain things in your house that vinegar can harm, so before you start cleaning, review this list of things you should never clean with vinegar. 

READ more at: https://www.southernliving.com/things-you-should-clean-with-vinegar-8733311

Digital Wallet or Debit Card

"Digital Wallet vs. Debit Card: Which Is Safer?"

KEY POINTS
    Rising debit card crime rates adds to the appeal of digital wallets.
    Digital wallet transactions are encrypted, which makes it harder to steal your information.
    Debit cards may offer more in the way of consumer protection.

Digital wallet usage is skyrocketing, according to a recent J.D. Power study. It showed that almost half of Americans had used a digital wallet in the previous 90 days. They're such a convenient way to store debit and credit cards, loyalty cards, gift cards, and more, that I often leave my actual wallet at home.

Convenience isn't the only benefit. Fans also argue high-level encryption makes digital wallets more secure than cards. But how safe are they really? Read on to find out how debit cards and digital wallets stack up, safety-wise.

Are digital wallets safer than debit cards?

I don't want to sound alarmist, you're at risk every time you use your debit card. Your card information and three-digit security code are printed there for anyone to see. If you physically swipe, the card reader could be rigged to let criminals skim your information. Someone may see you enter your PIN at the ATM. Last year, FICO said debit card crime nearly doubled from the year before.

READ more online at: https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/articles/digital-wallet-vs-debit-card-which-is-safer/