CONSUMER REPORTS

Did you ever use a fake name when signing up for a new service online as a way to protect your privacy? It turns out that doesn’t do a lot to keep companies from tracking you.

If you’ve never Googled yourself, try it. You might be surprised to find out just how much personal information pops up.

The coronavirus pandemic has given phone scammers yet another opportunity to use robocalls to prey on consumers. But some new laws have been enacted to help put a stop to all those annoying calls. Plus, Consumer Reports says there are some simple things you can do, too.

Boxed wine may get a bad rap, but does a glass bottle make a difference in taste?

With cases rising, many people are scrambling for tests and information on how and when to use them.

Experts share tips for reclaiming leftover gift card balances and spending them wisely.

If you’re concerned about presents arriving in time or you can’t find what you’re looking for, Consumer Reports has some gift suggestions that are out of the box and guaranteed to be in stock.

DETROIT — Audi and Subaru announced recalls on Wednesday over concerns about potential power loss issues. A software issue could allow the transmission to engage before the drive chain is properly secured, according to Consumer Reports. Some 2019 and 2020 Ascent SUVs are also affected by the recall, according to the AP. https://t.co/FeMpiDM8n9 — Consumer Reports (@ConsumerReports) December 15, 2021The Subaru recall includes 198,255 sedans and SUVs, according to Consumer Reports. There were 160,941 Subaru Ascents from 2019 and 2020, 2,057 Subaru Legacy vehicles from 2020 and 35,257 Subaru Ascents from 2020.

The mistake was discovered two days later, during a routine bandage change.

You’ve heard all the warnings. Shipping delays and supply chain glitches are going to make holiday shopping even more difficult this year.

Consumer Reports experts pulled together the following series of test-proven tips to help drivers save money.

Consumer Reports ranked most reliable vehicles and brands you can buy. Tesla came in next to last thanks to subpar scores from its SUVs.

Lexus, Mazda and Toyota topped the 2021 Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Report, while Jeep, Tesla, and Lincoln ranked in the bottom three.

Consumer Reports has found the best discounts on TVs and other tech, as well as mattresses and kitchen products.

November is traditionally one of the best months to find deals, but many hot products are in short supply or more expensive than usual.

Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, so it might surprise you to learn that those life-savers can contribute to fetal injury when pregnant people are in car crashes.

Before shelling out any money for a replacement key fob, check your warranty, auto insurance, or roadside assistance coverage to see if they cover the cost of replacing lost or damaged keys.

Recall: Toyota is recalling more than 158,000 Tundra pickups because of halogen headlines that have caused fires. (John Gress/Corbis via Getty Images)Citing faulty headlights that could catch fire, Toyota announced that it is recalling more than 158,000 Tundra pickup trucks. >> Read more trending newsThe car manufacturer said the 158,489 affected models are from 2018 to 2021, according to Consumer Reports. Only trucks with halogen headlights are included in the recall, Toyota said. The problem that led to the recall was faulty wiring that incorrectly illuminates the pickup’s high- and low-beam bulb, according to Consumer Reports.

More than 60 percent of adults say they prefer to sleep on their side, at least for part of the night. To make sure we have it right for the majority of sleepers, we run extensive tests on mattre...

Since the start of the pandemic, adults have spent, on average, more than 13 hours a day looking at some type of technology screen.

BMW recall A braking defect has resulted in the recall of more than 50,000 BMW sedans and SUVs. (Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)BMW announced Thursday that it is recalling more than 50,000 vehicles to address a software problem that hampers braking. >> Read more trending newsThe automobile company said it was recalling cars and SUVs from 2019 to 2021 because of the braking assist defect, according to Consumer Reports. https://t.co/Yr4xJ8sE7y — Consumer Reports (@ConsumerReports) August 6, 2021BMW said that when consumers start up the vehicles, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist, the website reported. A BMW spokesperson told Consumer Reports in an email that the automaker is not aware of any crashes attributed to this issue.

Utility bills typically shoot up this time of year, as homeowners crank up their central air conditioning. To keep costs down, you might try to skimp on the AC—but that can create squabbles in th...

TOWN SQUARE | Your credit report — and credit score — can make the difference between a loan approval or denial and the interest you pay on your loan.

Service providers use their lock on neighborhoods — and a lack of rules — to take advantage of us. Here’s how to spot their tricks.

In May, Tesla announced it would no longer include radar sensors in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles made for customers in North America on or after April 27.

Many people are downloading mental health apps for support, but Consumer Reports warns, sharing deeply personal, sensitive information on some virtual platforms might not be as private as you think.

Before you try to take out a mortgage or a car loan, check your credit report. It may have a mistake that could cost you.

"Feels like" temperatures will routinely spike to 110 degrees in the Orlando area, so getting in your car is a hot mess.

For many of us this past year, our backyards took on a profoundly important role. In the era of social distancing, yards were transformed into outdoor oases, and even now, there are no signs that...

Over the past months, with folks working and studying at home, homeowners began to appreciate their central air conditioning systems more than ever. In fact, 14 percent of the members we surveyed...

Advocacy group Consumer Reports has linked the products, which were not previously regulated, to at least 106 infant deaths.

Drivers naturally become concerned about reliability as a car ages, because the risk of inconvenience and unexpected expenses rises while the miles rack up. Most modern cars can make it to 200,00...

Consumer Reports’ tough tests continue to find that some laundry detergents clean only slightly better than water—and that some washers use lots of water yet leave clothes dirty and dingy. Some d...

Consumer Reports and IIHS are taking away top safety endorsements from Tesla, after the company's move from radar to vision-based driver assistance systems.

DETROIT — (AP) — Two key groups that offer automobile safety ratings have yanked their top endorsements of some Tesla vehicles because the company has stopped using radar on its safety systems. Consumer Reports pulled its “Top Pick” status for Tesla's Model 3 and Y vehicles built after April 27, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety plans to remove the vehicles' “Top Safety Pick Plus” designation. The U.S. government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is no longer giving the Models 3 and Y check marks on its website for having forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and emergency brake support. Consumer Reports says that removing radar and relying solely on cameras means the safety features may not be there when needed. A message was left Thursday seeking comment from Tesla, which has disbanded its media relations department.

Two key groups that offer automobile safety ratings have yanked their top endorsements from some Tesla vehicles because the company has stopped using radar on its safety systems.

Two key groups that offer automobile safety ratings are yanking their top endorsements from some Tesla vehicles because the company has stopped using radar on its safety systems. Consumer Reports pulled its “Top Pick” status for Tesla's Model 3 and Y vehicles built after April 27, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety plans to remove the vehicles' “Top Safety Pick Plus” designation. The U.S. government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is no longer giving the Models 3 and Y check marks on its website for having forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and emergency brake support.

When you start a weight-loss plan, adopting simple strategies that have been shown to work can help set you up for success. One such tactic is using an accurate bathroom scale to help you track y...

A common concern with cars as they age is dependability—not only that they may not get you to work one day but also that a catastrophic failure could cost thousands of dollars. Major problems are...

Shortages spurred by the pandemic have made used cars more expensive.

Getting exercise through walking is as easy as lacing up your sneakers and hitting the pavement or trail. Doing so is a safe way to get a workout without needing a gym, and it can boost your ment...

Consumer Reports says it was able to easily trick a Tesla into driving in the car's Autopilot mode without a person in the driver’s seat.

Consumer Reports said Thursday that in testing this week it found it could "easily" get a 2020 Tesla Model Y to drive "even with no one in the driver's seat."

Mazda just topped Consumer Reports' annual ranking of the most reliable automotive brands for the first time. BMW, Subaru, Porsche and Honda rounded out the top five spots on the Consumer Reports 2021 Brand Report Card, which was released Thursday. To determine the rankings, Consumer Reports buys vehicles anonymously from dealerships for road testing. Genesis fell 13 places this year "due to declining predicted reliability among its models," Consumer Reports said. Consumer Reports noted that the brand's redesigned sport utility vehicles, the Aviator and Corsair, performed well in road tests but had "much below average reliability."

Baby food from several of the country's largest manufacturers are "tainted" with toxic heavy metals, according to a disturbing new government report. The report, released Thursday morning, says those baby foods have "significant levels" of substances including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. But one thing Kerner and her husband Bryan, who is a doctor, never worried about was whether the baby food contained toxic metals. The report says "baby foods are tainted with dangerous levels" of "toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury." Several said they are part of the Baby Food Council, a group formed with the goal of voluntarily reducing heavy metals in baby foods.

Baby food from several of the country's largest manufacturers are "tainted" with toxic heavy metals, according to a disturbing new government report. The report, released Thursday morning, says those baby foods have "significant levels" of substances including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. But one thing Kerner and her husband Bryan, who is a doctor, never worried about was whether the baby food contained toxic metals. The report says "baby foods are tainted with dangerous levels" of "toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury." Several said they are part of the Baby Food Council, a group formed with the goal of voluntarily reducing heavy metals in baby foods.

Microwave ovens will soon have a new safety feature that is long overdue: child-resistant doors. Doctors in pediatric emergency rooms and burn units have long known microwaves to be a fairly common cause of young children getting scalded. It may be that most families attributed the injuries to the hot spills rather than the microwave itself. While pleased that the new standard is coming into play, Quinlan cautions parents and other caregivers to maintain their vigilance. "We think of stoves as getting hot, but we never think of microwaves as getting hot," the doctor added.

Brand new Tesla Model S cars sit on front of a Tesla showroom on August 2, 2017 in Corte Madera, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty ImagesConsumer Reports is no longer recommending Tesla's Model S and is panning the reliability of the new Model Y. The Consumer Reports' annual Auto Reliability Survey, released Thursday, also dropped a Toyota brand from No. Consumer Reports in 2015 ranked the Model S as its top-rated vehicle ever. Of the 26 brands ranked in the Consumer Reports reliability survey, Japanese automakers fared the best.

DETROIT – Mazda beat traditional winners Lexus and Toyota to win top honors as the most dependable auto brand in Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey. Mazda took top honors for the first time in the survey, which this year included Consumer Reports organization members who own more than 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2020. Consumer Reports said that the Ford Explorer SUV, redesigned for the 2020 model year, is among the lowest-scoring models of any manufacturer with transmission, electronic, and engine issues. Only the company's Model 3 small car was rated as reliable and recommended by Consumer Reports. Nearly half of the new models have much worse than average reliability, Consumer Reports said.

Running an air purifier is a good idea to keep dust, smoke and other allergens at bay inside your home. But, if someone in your home is sick, can an air purifier help? Even then, an air purifier isn’t a cure-all. The 830-dollar air purifier from BlueAir is the best and fastest air purifier in CR’s particle reduction tests. This means that a particular air purifier can perform roughly five air exchanges per hour in its suggested room size.

A steering wheel light bar and cluster icons indicates the status of Super Cruise™ and will prompt the driver to return their attention to the road ahead if the system detects driver attention has turned away from the road too long. General Motors' Super Cruise system topped Consumer Reports testing of assisted driving technology, leaving Tesla's Autopilot "a distant second," the consumer research nonprofit reported Wednesday. Super Cruise on a Cadillac CT6 sedan scored 69 out of 100 points in Consumer Reports' testing. Tesla's Autopilot on a Model Y was second at 57, followed by Ford Motor's Co-pilot 360 system at 52 and Audi's Pre-sense at 48. Consumer Reports evaluated 17 systems as part of its testing.

And sometimes they’re finding masks to be a bit annoying and uncomfortable. If you wear glasses or sunglasses that are constantly fogging up, a mask with a wire sewn in at the top is your best bet. Next, are you suffering from “mask acne?” When you wear a mask for a long period of time you sweat, which causes bacteria to build up. If you’re having trouble being understood while you’re wearing a mask, CR says it’s not really a matter of speaking louder. Just make sure you’re speaking slowly and clearly, and ask other mask wearers to do the same.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The airline industry could run into turbulence on Capitol Hill next week as a U.S. Congressional panel tackles passenger complaints about unpleasant airline experiences, holding a hearing that will include budget airline Spirit Airlines Inc (SAVE.N) and passenger advocates. FILE PHOTO: A Spirit Airlines Airbuys A320-200 airplane sits at a gate at the O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois October 2, 2014. Airlines have shrunk the average space between seats and seat width over the last decade to pack more passengers on planes. U.S. airlines revenue from baggage and reservation change fees increased from $5.7 billion in 2010 to $7.6 billion in 2018. Unlike other large airlines, Spirit also charges for bottled water and soft drinks, but their base fares are often significantly cheaper than rivals.

Overall, Tesla climbed eight spots to rank 11th out of 33 auto brands, according to Consumer Reports. In addition, the Consumer Reports auto team made the Model 3 a "Top Pick" among vehicles with a sticker price between $45,000 and $55,000. "We saw a marked improvement in reliability in both the Tesla Model 3 and the Model S," said Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing for Consumer Reports. Noticeably better quality in the new Model 3 cars helped Tesla show the biggest improvement among automakers in Consumer Reports' latest brand rankings. In addition, the Consumer Reports auto team tests dozens of new vehicles at the firm's test track in Connecticut.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Some new diets are calling sugar addictive, but should people cut it out of their diet completely? Consumer Reports answered concerns about the health risks of both natural sugars and added sugars. When you see added sugars, beware. Added sugars should make up 10 percent or less of your daily caloric intake. In January, nutrition labels will change, listing both natural sugars and added sugars.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Your credit score is key to many aspects of your financial life, including getting a good interest rate on a loan and getting a job. But when it comes to what affects your credit, Consumer Reports says it can be downright confusing and wants to clear things up with its own credit score quiz. You can do it anytime without affecting your credit score. Consumer Reports says its important to check your credit reports with the three major credit bureaus before shopping for a major loan like a mortgage. All Consumer Reports material Copyright 2019 Consumer Reports, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Power and The Car Connection carefully analyze and rate nearly every car model that comes on the market each year, and car owners would do well to heed their findings. Consumer Reports rated this sedan 50/100 for its 2021 edition and put it on the list of popular cars to avoid buying. Consumer Reports handed the 2020 Pathfinder a score of 54/100, with a predicted owner satisfaction score of 1/5. Consumer Reports included the 2021 EcoSport among its 10 least reliable cars for the year and gave the model a grade of 45/100. The publication gave it low marks across the board, including a 3/10 for performance and a 4/10 for comfort and quality.

Scott Olson/Getty Images(CNN) - Most drivers with advanced auto safety technologies in their cars say the features have helped keep them out of crashes, according to a new survey from Consumer Reports. Such safety systems use a variety of cameras and sensors to detect other vehicles, pedestrians and lane markings. Of car owners whose vehicle had this technology, 60% said it had helped them avoid a crash. Rear cross traffic alert systems, which alert drivers to vehicles approaching from either side as the vehicle is backing up, were credited with avoiding crashes by 52% of vehicle owners. The systems should be standard equipment on every new car, said William Wallace, a safety policy advocate for Consumer Reports.

A new investigation may have you rethinking some of your vitamins. Consumer Reports finds certain ingredients in dietary supplements sold around the country can carry major health risks. Dana Jacobson reports on the dangers of a virtually unregulated, yet growing industry.

Consumer Reports' Dan DiClerico shares tips for optimal food storage in your fridge that will help extend its shelf life.

The new cover story in Consumer Reports out Tuesday is called, “What you don’t know about your doctor could hurt you.” The magazine reports how "thousands of doctors across the U.S. are on medical probation for reasons including drug abuse, sexual misconduct and making careless -- sometimes deadly -- mistakes. But they are still out there practicing." Dr. Holly Phillips joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the investigation and offers tips on choosing the right doctor.

Prepared foods at grocery stores is now an almost $29 billion industry, growing twice as fast as overall grocery sales. A new Consumer Reports investigation looked at six major supermarket chains to learn whether the prepared foods are fresh, healthy and save money. The magazine analyzed food samples in a lab for calories, fat, saturated fat and sodium. Trisha Calvo, Consumer Reports deputy content editor of health and food, joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the findings.

Consumers spent an estimated $41 dollars this past year on sleep aids and remedies. That number is expected to hit $52 billion by 2020. Consumer Reports investigates everything from sleep gadgets to supplements in its February issue. Lisa Gill, deputy content editor of the magazine, joins "CBS This Morning" to explain why Americans are not catching enough sleep and reveal some high-tech gadgets that may help.

As the holiday season approaches, Consumer Reports looks at how much people plan to spend, how they will pay and what items they’re looking for during Black Friday sales. Senior projects editor Tod Marks joins “CBS This Morning” with the results of Consumer Report’s annual holiday poll.

You may have to reduce yourexpectations: many are now just 14 ounces. But Consumer Reports says that it's a way for them to raise prices, too,without being noticed. Some store brands still contain the traditional 64 ounces, but many of the big brands are now only 59 ounces. Consumer Reports says the problem comes down to one of perception. For years,many products came in clearly recognizable sizes––a pound of coffee, a quart ofmayonnaise.

Tesla's stock price took a major hit Tuesday after Consumer Reports withdrew its recommendation for a new model. CBSN's Ben Tracy has the latest on the plunge.

The November issue of Consumer Reports looks at “That Empty Feeling” investigating how some companies are downsizing products, but not their packaging. Consumer Reports senior projects editor Tod Marks joins “CBS This Morning" to discuss the trend.

Robocalls aren’t just annoying; they can be the first step in stealing your money. In <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/07/rage-against-robocalls/index.htm"><u>“Rage Against Robocalls,”</u></a> Consumer Reports explores hidden scams. Consumers Union, the magazine’s advocacy arm, is launching a new campaign to fight back. Tim Marvin, the grassroots organizer for Consumers Union, joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the charge.

Michael Kors will pay a high price because of its price tags at outlet stores. The fashion giant is agreeing to settle a class-action lawsuit for nearly $5 million. Consumer Reports began investigating outlet shopping trends 15 years ago. Senior projects editor Tod Marks joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss whether companies are cutting corners at outlet stores.

The July cover story in Consumer Reports takes an in-depth look at the truth about product labels that say “Made in America,” and the buying power it creates. Consumer Reports senior projects editor Tod Marks joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss what the U.S.A. guarantee really means.

Apple vs. Samsung; Corona sales are up; and Consumer Reports is testing new Tesla model S.