Consumer World Original

Mouse Print*-- Here We Shrink Again - Fall 2025 - Part 1

Over the next two weeks, we will showcase about a dozen grocery products that are shrinking right before your eyes. And predictions are that with price increases coming because of tariffs, we are likely to see more shrinkflation. That story is in Mouse Print* this week.

Home Insurance Companies Ranked

Homeowners insurance is up almost 70% since 2020. Over 14,000 home insurance policy holders were questioned by J.D. Power to gauge their satisfaction with their home insurance. The factors evaluated included product/coverage offerings; problem resolution, people, price for coverage, trust, and ease of doing business. Almost half received a price increase resulting in many shopping for a new company. Here are the rankings of home insurance companies from the persepctive of homeowners and separately renters. Amica takes the top spot on both lists.

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13 Fees You Should Never Pay

Consumer reporter Clark Howard says you have to pay attention to where your money is going and paying needless fees is a waste of your hard-earned dollars. Here are 13 fees to avoid, like ATM fees (use a card that reimburses them), overseas credit card fees, credit report charges, and more. And MrConsumer will throw in surprise "kitchen appreciation fees" levied by restaurants that up your bill (they are now illegal in Massachusetts, incidentally).

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Consumer Alert

Beware New Social Security Scam

An urgent email letter from what looks like the Social Security Administration claims your social security number is involved in illegal activites and your benefits may need to be suspended. Don't call the number provided and simply hit the delete button. Here is a print version of this story.

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