ConsumerUnited States
EBT Skimming Drains Millions From SNAP Recipients
EBT card skimming has drained hundreds of millions from SNAP recipients, who are rarely reimbursed. States are slowly moving to chip cards.
—6 min read
Category
Consumer
31 articles
ConsumerUnited States
NPR: Mall Skincare Stores Targeted Vulnerable Adults
An NPR investigation finds mall skincare stores tied to California's Mazal Group pressured older and disabled adults into costly buys.
—7 min read
ConsumerEurope
Belgium: What Changes on October 1, 2026
From Wallonia's new renovation loans to energy contract rules and dentist ID checks, here's what changes for Belgian consumers on October 1, 2026.
—7 min read
TechnologyConsumer
AI Customer Service Sparks Consumer Complaint Surge in China
China's consumer associations report AI customer service issues as a new complaint hotspot, prompting new regulations requiring human service access.
—5 min read
EconomyConsumer
China's 'AB Goods' E-Commerce Chaos Exposes Pressures
China's e-commerce 'AB goods' practice - different quality for different customers - exposes industry competition pressures and consumer protection gaps.
—6 min read
ConsumerBusiness
China Expands Custom-Made Cosmetics Pilot to 23 Provinces
China expands custom-made cosmetics pilot to 23 provinces, meeting growing consumer demand for personalized skincare products.
—4 min read
ConsumerClimate
Belgium Sees Record Air Conditioner Sales Amid Heat Waves
Belgium installed a record 134,178 fixed air conditioners in the first half of 2026, a 47% surge driven by unprecedented heat waves.
—4 min read
ConsumerHealth
Do Cooling Fabrics Really Keep You Cooler?
Cooling fabrics promise instant relief from summer heat, but experts say they can't actually cool you down. Here's what to look for before you buy.
—5 min read
Consumer
Belgian Faces €11,000 Water Bill for Million-Liter Claim
Fritz (56) received an €11,000 water bill for allegedly using a million liters. He's not alone - Flemish water complaints are up 20%.
—4 min read
ConsumerEconomy
Shared Bike Prices Soar in China, Raising Affordability Fear
China's shared bike prices have surged six-fold in a decade, with unlock fees approaching 2 yuan. An investigation reveals the strategy behind the hikes.
—4 min read
ConsumerTechnology
CCTV Exposes Rigged Home Appliance Reviews in China
CCTV investigation reveals fraud in China's home appliance review industry, with rigged tests, sabotaged competitors, and paid comment manipulation.
—4 min read
EconomyConsumer
Gas Prices Are Swinging: How to Budget for Volatility
Gas prices are swinging wildly due to the Iran war. Experts share budgeting strategies to manage fuel cost volatility and protect your wallet.
—6 min read
ConsumerHealth
Chinese Platform Sunscreens Fail Safety, Testachats Warns
Only 1 in 12 sunscreens from AliExpress, Temu and Shein offers adequate protection, Testachats finds. Some contain banned substances.
—4 min read
EconomyConsumer
Summer Consumption Surges Across China as Cool Economy Booms
China's summer consumption surges with booming tourism, Guangdong's $120M dining vouchers, and record travel deals as the cool economy drives demand.
—4 min read
ConsumerRegulation
China's First Mandatory Standard Targets Express Packaging
China's first mandatory standard on express packaging takes effect July 1, limiting layers and tape to cut waste across billions of parcels.
—4 min read
ConsumerBusiness
Milka to Refill Hollow Easter Eggs After Consumer Backlash
Milka parent Mondelez apologizes and promises fuller Easter eggs for 2027 after Belgian consumer backlash over hollow eggs and shrinkflation concerns.
—4 min read
EconomyConsumer
China Allows Same-Day Car Purchase and Registration
China announces same-day car purchase and registration for domestic vehicles, streamlining processes for over 20 million cars annually.
—4 min read
TransportConsumer
Why 12306 Shows No Tickets but Empty Seats Appear on Trains
Chinese rail passengers report empty seats despite 12306 showing no tickets. Experts explain dynamic allocation, no-shows, and section-based ticketing.
—4 min read
EconomyConsumer
Lithium Batteries, Lost Cash and Pet Food: Belgium Roundup
From hidden fire risks in household waste to vanishing ATM deposits and a dog food recall, four Belgian consumer stories reveal systemic gaps.
—5 min read
ConsumerBelgium
Belgian Woman Loses €3,600 After CASH Point Deposit Fails
Katrien Stes lost €3,600 after a CASH Point deposit in Belgium. Money returned only after media pressure, exposing systemic Batopin ATM issues.
—4 min read
ConsumerFinance
New Scam Bypasses Bank Name Checks: Belgian Consumers Warned
Fraudsters are bypassing mandatory IBAN-name checks on bank transfers using payment requests and links. Belgian consumers face new financial fraud risks.
—4 min read
EconomyConsumer
Belgian Supermarket Inflation Hits Lowest Level Since 2021
Supermarket inflation in Belgium fell to 0.27% in May, the lowest since December 2021. But Testaankoop warns that new price hikes may be coming.
—4 min read
ConsumerTravel
Apply for Kids-ID Before Summer to Avoid Costly Fees
Belgian FPS Interior urges parents to apply for Kids-ID early for summer holidays to avoid costly urgent fees of up to €149.40.
—4 min read
HealthcareConsumer
China Urges Drug Price Check After Pharmacy 40x Markup
China's NHSA urges use of pharmacy price comparison mini-program after CCTV exposed a drug sold at nearly 40x the market price.
—4 min read
ConsumerChina
Daocheng Yading Suspends Shuttle Fees After Backlash
Xinhua investigation reveals Daocheng Yading forced tourists to pay for shuttle buses on a public road. Sichuan suspends fees, launches probe.
—5 min read
PoliticsConsumer
Belgium's June 1 Overhaul: Plain Tobacco and HPV Reforms
Belgium rolls out sweeping June 1 changes: plain tobacco packaging, expanded HPV vaccine coverage, automatic voucher refunds, and railway hiring reforms.
—4 min read
EconomyConsumer
Fuel Prices in Belgium Set to Drop Significantly on Friday
Belgian fuel prices drop sharply on May 29: petrol down 11.8 cents, diesel down 10.3 cents per liter, driven by US-Iran peace optimism.
—4 min read
SocietyConsumer
China Cracks Down on Recruitment-to-Training Job Scams
China launches nationwide crackdown on 'recruitment-to-training' scams and illegal agencies exploiting job seekers with fake offers and costly loans.
—4 min read
EconomyConsumer
Fuel Prices Force Americans to Cut Back Memorial Day Travel
Rising gas and jet fuel costs, driven by the Iran war, are reshaping Memorial Day travel as Americans opt for shorter trips and closer destinations.
—5 min read
ConsumerTravel
Brussels Airport Valet Parking: Cars Stolen and Damaged
HLN investigation reveals serious issues at Brussels Airport valet parking: cars stolen, damaged, and declared total loss while owners were on vacation.
—4 min read
EconomyConsumer
Gas Prices Surge Past $4.80 Ahead of Summer Travel Season
Gas prices are surging past $4.80 per gallon ahead of summer travel, driven by the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure. Consumers face higher costs.
—4 min read