consumers

Medigap premiums leap, and consumers have few alternatives

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After decades of selling insurance, Illinois-based broker John Jaggi had never seen anything like it. More than 80 of his customers who were enrolled in the same Medicare supplemental plan from the insurer Chubb got hit last August with a 45% increase. “In my 49 years of doing biz as a broker, I’ve never seen … Read more

UPS, FedEx and DHL are seeking tariff refunds. Here’s what it means for consumers.

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Major shippers, including UPS, FedEx and DHL, have filed claims for tariff refunds with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which on Monday launched a portal through which businesses can request money back for some of the import duties they had paid under the Trump administration.  The companies also pledged to return money to customers who … Read more

United Airlines merger with American Airlines would hurt consumers, senators say

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Two lawmakers are speaking out against a potential merger between United Airlines and American Airlines, saying a deal would weaken industry competition and harm consumers.  “If United and American were to merge, airlines would face less pressure from rivals to keep the cost of flying down, and airlines across the industry could raise ticket prices … Read more

What consumers can do as the Iran war impacts the cost and availability of flights

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As the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran squeezes global oil supplies, travelers have valid reasons to worry about the cost and availability of flights as they plan their late spring and summer trips. The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that European countries could run low on jet fuel within weeks, forcing … Read more

This male model sporting a crisp summer shirt isn’t real. Will consumers care?

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The brushed twill shirt from men’s wear company Teddy Stratford in the image below highlights the crisp lines produced by its patented “zip fit’ technology. Also, the wonders of another kind of tech — for while the clothing is real, the model, boat and urban backdrop are all the product of artificial intelligence.   The … Read more

How rising fuel prices impact consumers shopping in stores or online

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Rising fuel prices can impact consumers beyond the gas pump. Oil prices have surged more than 40% since the Iran war effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz. The price hike can impact everything from cargo ships crossing the Pacific to the delivery van pulling up outside your home – and the costs could quickly … Read more

Trump’s war on Iran creates an economic storm for consumers and the Fed

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Inflation held steady in February — but the latest reading offers little clarity for Federal Reserve officials, who are navigating an increasingly complicated economic landscape. Consumer prices rose 2.4% from a year earlier, according to new government data released Wednesday, a figure that suggests inflation has been gradually cooling toward the Fed’s 2% target. But … Read more

FTC to refund more than $47 million to consumers allegedly deceived by Invitation Homes

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The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday that it will send a total of $47.2 million in refunds to hundreds of thousands of consumers who the agency alleges were deceived by Invitation Homes, the largest single-family home leasing company in the U.S. Invitation Homes agreed to issue the refunds as part of a settlement with the … Read more