CONSUMER NEWS
Keep the cheer flowing by protecting your plumbing during holiday celebrations
Read full article: Keep the cheer flowing by protecting your plumbing during holiday celebrationsCleaning up after a holiday meal with family and friends is no easy task. It can be tempting to dump food left on plates down the drain. But plumbers say that will lead to problems.
Home gift guide: Consumer Reports experts share the top-tested items for your holiday list
Read full article: Home gift guide: Consumer Reports experts share the top-tested items for your holiday listFrom sheets to slippers, mixers to mattresses, the experts at Consumer Reports are constantly testing products for your home and garden and everywhere in between.
Tech gift guide: Finding the perfect gift for the techie in your life
Read full article: Tech gift guide: Finding the perfect gift for the techie in your lifeIf you haven’t finished your shopping yet, you’re in luck — the tech experts at Consumer Reports are sharing some advice for gifting gadgets and their favorite tech picks this holiday season.
Consumer Reports staff shares kitchen gift guide
Read full article: Consumer Reports staff shares kitchen gift guideThe experts at Consumer Reports culled together a list of some of their favorite cooking and kitchen gadgets — just in time for gifting or rounding out your own kitchen for the holidays.
Half of consumers still carry debt from last year’s holiday shopping. How a Yulee woman was able to pay off $40K
Read full article: Half of consumers still carry debt from last year’s holiday shopping. How a Yulee woman was able to pay off $40KThe holiday season is a time of giving, but for many Americans, it’s also a time of spending—and that can lead to a heavy financial burden.
Florida has highest burglary rate this time of year, FBI data shows
Read full article: Florida has highest burglary rate this time of year, FBI data showsFlorida leads the nation with more than 88 reported burglaries per 100,000 people. That’s nearly four times the national average of 22.5 per 100,000.
FTC squelches scheme that bilked millions out of student loan borrowers
Read full article: FTC squelches scheme that bilked millions out of student loan borrowersA scheme that scammed millions of dollars out of consumers burdened with student loan debt has been stopped in its tracks, the Federal Trade Commission says.
Cell-a-bration or cell-a-mistake? Is your child ready for a phone this holiday?
Read full article: Cell-a-bration or cell-a-mistake? Is your child ready for a phone this holiday?Smartphones are on the top of the Christmas list for many children, preteens and teen. But are they ready to have one or will it just lead to more screen time and less family time?
Toys to avoid for your little ones for the holidays
Read full article: Toys to avoid for your little ones for the holidaysReports show nearly 155,000 children under the age of 12 were treated at emergency departments last year due to toy-related injuries. So, how can parents keep their little ones safe?
Expert advice for giving tech gifts to children for the holidays
Read full article: Expert advice for giving tech gifts to children for the holidaysWhat is the right age to gift your child a smartphone, a tablet with more internet access, or a fitness tracker? We have tips on choosing the right tech gifts for kids and teens this holiday season.
Teachers, firefighters, officers till struggling to ‘live local’ in Northeast Florida
Read full article: Teachers, firefighters, officers till struggling to ‘live local’ in Northeast FloridaA new report from the Florida Policy Institute reveals Live Local Act might not be cutting it for some professions, like educators, firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Home gift guide: Consumer Reports experts share the top-tested items for your holiday list
Read full article: Home gift guide: Consumer Reports experts share the top-tested items for your holiday listFrom sheets to slippers, mixers to mattresses, the experts at Consumer Reports are constantly testing products for your home and garden and everywhere in between.
MORE CONSUMER HEADLINES
Cyber Monday deals are here. Here are tips for avoiding online scams
Read full article: Cyber Monday deals are here. Here are tips for avoiding online scamsCyber Monday shopping is underway and dozens of retailers are offering discounts and deals. However, there are a few things shoppers need to be wary of.
As the holiday season begins, it’s time to be on the lookout for porch pirates
Read full article: As the holiday season begins, it’s time to be on the lookout for porch piratesThe Christmas Holiday shopping season is officially underway, and with it comes the porch pirates who will be out and about, looking to steal delivered gifts that were purchased online.
Expert highlights top STEM toys for children in 2024
Read full article: Expert highlights top STEM toys for children in 2024If you have a child who’s into science, technology, engineering and math – or one you’d like to inspire – Purdue University’s gift guide could help you pick just the right holiday present.
2 Jacksonville roofing business operators plead guilty to multi-million dollar fraud scheme
Read full article: 2 Jacksonville roofing business operators plead guilty to multi-million dollar fraud schemeTwo operators of a Jacksonville roofing company have pleaded guilty to fraud charges and face up to 20 years in federal prison.
U.S. Customs seize 3,000 fake Gibson guitars in Southern California worth $18M
Read full article: U.S. Customs seize 3,000 fake Gibson guitars in Southern California worth $18MThe operation involved a collaborative effort with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), and Gibson officials.
Reminder from JEA: Pouring oil, grease down drains can cause ‘fatbergs,’ increase your utility bill
Read full article: Reminder from JEA: Pouring oil, grease down drains can cause ‘fatbergs,’ increase your utility billJEA warned customers this week that pouring fats, oil or grease down the drain might seem convenient during holiday cooking, but doing that can lead to fatbergs.
Season’s cheatings: Holiday scams to avoid
Read full article: Season’s cheatings: Holiday scams to avoidSeventy-five percent of Americans fell victim to holiday scams last year, with online shopping and non-delivery scams accounting for a significant portion of the over $281 million lost, or should we say stolen.
A survey found a Thanksgiving feast for 10 will run you $58. We went shopping in Jacksonville to find out if it’s true
Read full article: A survey found a Thanksgiving feast for 10 will run you $58. We went shopping in Jacksonville to find out if it’s trueWhat’s the real cost of a Thanksgiving dinner?
Full fridge for the holidays? Consumer Reports explains how to make room for everything
Read full article: Full fridge for the holidays? Consumer Reports explains how to make room for everythingFor many of us, November and December are packed with fabulous family meals. Also packed: Our fridges and freezers. How do you make room for everything? As Consumer Reports explains, it all starts with a good strategy and planning ahead of time.
How to make sure you stay safe & healthy while prepping your holiday meal
Read full article: How to make sure you stay safe & healthy while prepping your holiday mealOne thing you don’t want to bring to the holiday table is food poisoning. Consumer Reports reveals the one thing many of us get wrong that could make our guests seriously sick.
Rising corporate ownership of Jacksonville apartments is contributing to higher costs. Here’s who owns where you live
Read full article: Rising corporate ownership of Jacksonville apartments is contributing to higher costs. Here’s who owns where you live72% of local apartment complexes are owned by corporate investment firms
2024 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide for Floridians: Things you should know to enjoy a scam-free holiday
Read full article: 2024 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide for Floridians: Things you should know to enjoy a scam-free holidayAttorney General Moody released the 2024 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide for Floridians which contains information about scammers, shopping schemes, and cyber scams.
Annual inflation rises for 1st time since March with egg, beef, energy prices among the highest increases
Read full article: Annual inflation rises for 1st time since March with egg, beef, energy prices among the highest increasesInflation in the United States ticked up in October, driven by costlier rents, used cars, and air fares, a sign that price increases might be leveling off after having slowed in September to their lowest pace since 2021.
Disinfecting wipes have turned into a cleaning staple. Consumer Reports says they have some downsides
Read full article: Disinfecting wipes have turned into a cleaning staple. Consumer Reports says they have some downsidesConsumer Reports discovered the downside of disinfecting wipes and shared some safer alternatives.
Navy Federal Credit Union must pay more than $95 million for charging illegal overdraft fees
Read full article: Navy Federal Credit Union must pay more than $95 million for charging illegal overdraft feesNavy Federal Credit Union must pay more than $95 million after an investigation found it charged customers millions in illegal overdraft fees over a five-year period, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Consumer Reports shares the best poop-scooping techniques and gadgets for dog owners
Read full article: Consumer Reports shares the best poop-scooping techniques and gadgets for dog ownersIt’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. Consumer Reports has the scoop on the best gadgets and techniques to scoop that poop.
Northeast Florida lawmakers demand audit of Jacksonville USPS facility over lost, delayed mail
Read full article: Northeast Florida lawmakers demand audit of Jacksonville USPS facility over lost, delayed mailCustomers have reported that important packages are being delivered to the wrong states, and in some cases, mail is being lost altogether. These issues have led to calls for a federal audit of the United States Postal Service (USPS).