Consumer Protection

Cruises are popular vacations for millions of Americans, especially during the summer months. And why not? For many, it's paradise. You get to visit scenic destinations while sailing on a floating full-scale resort that caters to your every whim. But the promise of paradise can vanish the moment you show up at the airport. You get to the gate, eager to board, and watch as the flight information screen switches your flight to the dreaded word: "canceled."

Over the past two years, thefts of catalytic converters have skyrocketed. The thefts of these emission control devices have increased by roughly 300% each year, and tens of thousands of drivers have been forced to pay for replacements. However, this epidemic of car-part theft has caught the attention of public officials and lawmakers, who are responding with new bills, laws, and regulations.

Traveling to another country can be a pleasant hassle. Speaking a new language, finding your way around, or even making sure you are not eating something you would rather not. However, COVID-19 restrictions are continuing to add another layer of complexity to overseas travel. If you are planning an international vacation this summer, know the rules before you run into an unexpected roadblock.

If you have credit cards, there's a good chance that sooner or later you could be a victim of credit card fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, credit card fraud has been the most common form of identity theft since 2017 and it is getting worse. The FTC says that the number of reported thefts increased by 15% from the fourth quarter of last year to the first quarter of 2022. In November 2021, Security.org reported that 127 million American adults, nearly half the total in the U.S., have had a fraudulent charge at least once on their credit cards.

Too many Americans are needlessly throwing money away when they file their income tax return. That's one of the conclusions to be drawn from a May 4 settlement agreement between all 50 states and TurboTax owner Intuit. That agreement, announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James, requires Intuit to pay $141 million in restitution to millions of Americans who were unfairly charged for services that should have been free. Taxpayers affected by this will automatically receive a refund.

The term "ghost kitchens" first appeared in a 2015 NBC New York article, but they are now an established presence in the restaurant world. Ghost kitchens are food preparation and cooking facilities, often shared by multiple operators, that produce delivery-only meals. When NBC New York pulled back…