IRS Warns $1.2bn of 2022 Refunds to Expire IRS warns $1.2bn in 2022 tax refunds will expire April 15–18, 2026; three-year statute of limitations puts claims at risk, creating sector opportunities and consumer liquidity effects.

IRS Warns $1.2bn of 2022 Refunds to Expire: IRS warns $1.2bn in 2022 tax refunds will expire April 15–18, 2026; three-year statute of limitations puts claims at risk, creating sector opportunities and consumer liquidity… 👈 Read full analysis #IRS #TaxRefunds #Finance #TaxTips #ConsumerEducation

Committee Hears Health Evidence, Industry Concerns on Energy‑Drink Signage Bill Rep. Liz Linehan and health researchers backed HB 5,269 to create a working group and point‑of‑sale warnings for energy drinks; retailers warned mandatory signage preempts study and urged a broader caffeine review.

Connecticut lawmakers are grappling with the alarming rise in energy drink-related health crises among youth, as calls for warning labels clash with retail concerns over regulation.

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#CT #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #ConsumerEducation

Committee hears testimony on optional cash-rounding bill as coin shortages grow Witnesses from grocery, hospitality and credit-union sectors told the House Rules committee HB 4178 would let businesses adopt permissive rounding to the nearest 5¢ with consumer notice, responding to Pennies shortages; the Department of Revenue sought an amendment to cover state and local governments.

Oregon's House Bill 4178 could reshape your cash transactions by allowing businesses to round to the nearest 5¢ due to a growing penny shortage.

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#OR #EconomicResilience #CashManagement #ConsumerEducation

BPU approves deferred accounting and customer credits after GRT error; Middlesex pact raises revenue but phases refunds The board approved staff recommendations for deferred accounting and refunds after a gross-receipts-tax error and adopted a settlement that increases joint petitioners' revenue requirement while providing customer bill credits and specified quarterly bill impacts for Middlesex and Pinelands customers.

Big changes are coming for New Jersey water customers as the Board of Public Utilities approves refunds and bill credits following a tax error!

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#NJ #CitizenPortal #NewJerseyUtilities #TaxCompliance #ConsumerEducation #WaterUtilityReform

Public Infrastructure committee schedules Ameren briefing on large-load electricity tariffs Chair Browning said the committee will host Ameren and the Consumer Council on Feb. 18 to discuss proposed large-load tariffs that affect customers such as data centers; the meeting was described as educational and relevant to utility customers that draw substantial power.

Get ready for an eye-opening discussion on proposed electricity tariffs for high-demand users like data centers at the upcoming Feb. 18 meeting!

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#LouisCityLouisCounty #MO #PublicInfrastructure #CitizenPortal #StLouisCityElectricity #EnergyTariffs #ConsumerEducation

Patients and behavioral scientists call for single, simple PAL phrase and major education push Consumer advocates, FDA behavioral researchers and clinicians urged a single standardized precautionary allergen label wording, extensive consumer testing and clinician education before any threshold-based system is rolled out.

Patient advocates and scientists are demanding a clear, standardized allergen label to eliminate confusion and enhance safety for consumers.

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#US #HealthCommunication #CitizenPortal #PatientGroups #ConsumerEducation #FoodSafety

House advances bill to require notice, monitoring as phone networks shift from copper to fiber The Vermont House advanced H 8 98, a bill that would require telecommunications carriers to give staggered written notice before copper-to-fiber transitions, coordinate with public safety agencies, and report on backup-power uptake and 911 incidents beginning November 2026; third reading was ordered.

Vermont's new bill H 8 98 aims to protect consumers from losing reliable phone service as carriers switch from copper to fiber networks—ensuring transparency and public safety in the process.

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#VT #VermontConsumerProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #ConsumerEducation

CFTC webinar warns of ‘pig butchering’ romance investment scams, urges reporting At a CFTC-hosted webinar, agency and advocacy experts described 'pig butchering' romance-investment scams that cultivate trust to push victims into fake crypto platforms, cited multibillion-dollar reported losses, and urged reporting to law enforcement, IC3 and platform tools.

Beware of 'pig butchering' scams that prey on romance and trust, racking up billions in losses as victims are lured into fake investments!

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#US #FraudPrevention #OnlineDating #CitizenPortal #ConsumerEducation #ScamAwareness

Economist Finds Lack of Information Drives Perception of High Wine Prices in Brazil Study suggests clearer labeling and consumer education could boost confidence and reshape the Brazilian wine market

FYI: Economist Finds Lack of Information Drives Perception of High Wine Prices in Brazil #WineMarket #BrazilWine #WinePrices #ConsumerEducation #WineLabeling

Committee backs optional high school insurance elective that leads to entry-level license HB1343 would create an optional high school elective teaching property-and-casualty foundations; completing the course would allow students to apply for the 4-40 entry-level insurance license. The committee adopted a language-cleanup amendment and reported the bill favorably after industry groups waived in support.

Florida's new bill could pave the way for high school students to kickstart their careers in insurance with an exciting elective that leads to an entry-level license!

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#FL #WorkforceDevelopment #ConsumerEducation #InsuranceEducation #CitizenPortal

Panel backs bill requiring insurers to provide consumer‑facing rate explanations HB 767 would require insurers to file consumer‑facing transparency reports explaining, in percentage terms, the drivers behind homeowners' premium increases and to post materials on an OIR website; the subcommittee reported the bill favorably after members emphasized the need for a clear public rollout.

A new bill in Florida aims to demystify homeowners' insurance rate increases by requiring insurers to provide straightforward explanations of the factors driving these changes.

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#FL #InsuranceTransparency #ConsumerEducation #PublicResourceAccess #CitizenPortal

Economist Finds Lack of Information Drives Perception of High Wine Prices in Brazil Study suggests clearer labeling and consumer education could boost confidence and reshape the Brazilian wine market

Economist Finds Lack of Information Drives Perception of High Wine Prices in Brazil #WinePrices #BrazilianWine #WineStudy #ConsumerEducation #WineMarket

Consumer Education for Marketing Goals?

#consumereducation #aivideo #marketingdigital

Experts Outline How To Strengthen Trusted Health Knowledge Worldwide - Health Policy Watch Global health knowledge is expanding faster than ever, but so are confusion and inequity over who can access trustworthy information and use it to improve

A good piece on health knowledge and trust.
#PublicHealth #ConsumerEducation #Trust

healthpolicy-watch.news/experts-outl...

Are you a retailer and need more tools to talk to your customers about Thread technology? We’ve got you covered!

Get all the resources on our Thread for Retailers page here: www.threadgroup.org/Resources/Th...

#Retailers #ThreadForRetailers #ThreadGroup #ConsumerEducation

Banks, credit unions and consumer advocates warn of rising scams; FTC data cited at legislative hearing At a Nov. 18 committee hearing, banking and consumer-protection witnesses described detection and education efforts, urged better coordination and cited FTC estimates that Oregonians lost roughly $125 million to scams in 2024, with older adults disproportionately affected.

Oregonians are losing millions to increasingly sophisticated scams, with experts calling for urgent action to protect consumers and improve fraud detection.

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#OR #ConsumerEducation #ElderFinancialExploitation #FraudPrevention

Oregon insurance regulators flag reinsurance squeeze and roll out consumer and housing supports State insurance officials told the House interim committee that reinsurance costs are reducing carrier capacity and driving nonrenewals, and they outlined next steps including a multistate data refresh, a funded study of a state reinsurance/risk pool and implementation of 2025 laws offering premium assistance and expanded consumer explanations for rate increases.

Oregon's homeowners insurance market is facing a crisis as skyrocketing reinsurance costs threaten coverage options and drive up premiums—what's being done to protect consumers?

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#OR #WildfireRisk #ConsumerEducation

Impact of a Consumer e-Learning Course on Beliefs, Treatment Choices, and Outcomes Among People With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: Qualitative Interview Study Background: First-line management for hip and knee osteoarthritis includes lifestyle treatments, such as exercise and weight loss (if appropriate), whereas joint replacement surgery is recommended only for severe symptoms after these options have been exhausted. However, many people with osteoarthritis hold misconceptions about the condition, leading to lower acceptance of nonsurgical treatments, such as exercise, and the mistaken belief that surgery is their only option. Novel patient education approaches that address these misconceptions are recommended to improve uptake of lifestyle treatments, reduce unnecessary surgery, and improve outcomes for people with osteoarthritis. We developed a 4-week self-directed consumer e-learning course on osteoarthritis management. In a randomized controlled trial, using the course led to immediate and sustained improvements in osteoarthritis knowledge. However, participants’ perspectives on the course and an understanding of how it impacted osteoarthritis beliefs, treatment choices, and outcomes were unknown. Objective: This study aims to explore how an e-learning course for people with hip and knee osteoarthritis may have impacted their osteoarthritis beliefs, treatment choices, and outcomes. Methods: In this qualitative study, we conducted semistructured individual interviews (N=20) with randomized controlled trial participants with hip or knee osteoarthritis who accessed a 4-week consumer e-learning course on osteoarthritis and its management. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed following a framework approach, which was guided by the common sense model of self-regulation. Results: Four themes were developed from the interviews: (1) participants reshaped their beliefs and attitudes toward osteoarthritis and its management, (2) participants adopted a proactive approach to management, (3) participants developed a more positive mindset, and (4) the course supported learning and shifts in beliefs. Conclusions: The e-learning course resulted in shifts in participants’ beliefs and attitudes toward osteoarthritis and its management, increasing their confidence in living with osteoarthritis and resulting in a more optimistic outlook on the future. The e-learning course is freely available and could be a useful resource for people with osteoarthritis to enhance their understanding of the condition and its management.

New in JMIR Aging: Impact of a Consumer e-Learning Course on Beliefs, Treatment Choices, and Outcomes Among People With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: Qualitative Interview Study #Osteoarthritis #ConsumerEducation #eLearning #HealthManagement #JointHealth

Kansas interim committee hears cryptocurrency primer and federal, state policy updates A National Cryptocurrency Association educator gave Kansas lawmakers a basic overview of crypto and users’ experiences; Legislative Research and outside experts reviewed recent federal legislation and state-level policy options, and speakers urged clearer rules and consumer education.

A recent Kansas committee meeting revealed that 20% of U.S. adults are already harnessing the power of cryptocurrency for payments and investments, highlighting its potential for economic growth.

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#KS #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #KansasCrypto #DigitalAssetPolicy

Industry Leaders Commit to Consumer Transparency and Accurate Information Industry officials pledge to provide consumers with clear and truthful information.

Wyoming's Select Committee on Blockchain is taking bold steps to ensure consumer transparency and protection in the fast-evolving world of financial technology.

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#WY #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #FinancialTech #BlockchainInnovation

Massachusetts establishes financial literacy and longevity hub for consumer education Bill creates centralized resources for financial education and wealth building in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is taking a bold step toward empowering residents with a new hub for financial education and wealth building!

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#MA #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #WealthBuiding #FinancialLiteracy

Nominee Seeks Role on Advisory Board to Combat Real Estate Predatory Practices Nominee aims to protect consumers while ensuring fairness in real estate and insurance sectors.

In a heated Senate meeting, a nominee passionately advocated for stronger consumer protections in real estate, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and education to combat predatory practices.

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#UT #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #PredatoryPractices

How Consumer Education Can Shape Pricing of Complementary Products

Ashutosh Bhave of the University of Arkansas, in the Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, finds mandatory third-party add-ons cut firm profits but boost consumer welfare. getnews.me/how-consumer-education-c... #consumereducation #pricing

Connecticut healthcare leaders plan education initiative around National Healthcare Decisions Day Participants discuss engaging healthcare systems for consumer education on decision-making in care.

Connecticut's Palliative Care Advisory Council is taking bold steps to enhance access to vital services and educate consumers, all while sharing a laugh about funding ideas!

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#CT #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess #CollaborationInitiatives

Georgia Committee Discusses Insurance Policy Clarity After Hurricane Helene Losses Insurance experts advocate for clearer policy language and coverage reduction notifications in Georgia.

Georgia homeowners are facing shocking truths about their insurance policies that could leave them financially vulnerable after disasters like Hurricane Helene.

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#GA #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #InsuranceReform #GeorgiaHomeowners #NaturalDisasterResponse

Georgia Insurance Department Addresses Fraud and Consumer Education Challenges Commissioner highlights key issues including auto fraud and importance of insurance agents in education.

Georgia's insurance landscape is shifting as the Blue-Ribbon Committee tackles fraud and boosts consumer education to attract more carriers.

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#GA #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #RegulatoryTransparency #FraudPrevention #GeorgiaInsurance

Joint Committee Receives Report on Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products Report includes recommendations for consumer education and chemical safety in children's products

A new report reveals crucial recommendations for ensuring the safety of children's products and educating consumers about toxic chemicals.

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#MA #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #ChemicalSafety #ChildrensProducts

Commissioner Green Leads Opening Prayer at State Meeting Commissioner Green opens the meeting with a prayer expressing gratitude and purpose.

Tennessee officials are stepping up consumer protection and transparency in insurance practices, aiming to empower residents and build trust in their financial security.

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#TN #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #PublicTrust #InsuranceTransparency #TennesseeConsumerProtection

Delhi Township reviews energy aggregation program amid rising costs and confusion Township officials discuss energy contract options as rates increase and residents seek clarity.

Delhi Township is tackling rising energy costs and confusion as officials push for a timely renewal of the natural gas contract to protect residents from fluctuating rates.

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#OH #ConsumerEducation #CitizenPortal #EnergyAggregation #CostStability

Understanding Food Date Labels: How a National Misunderstanding Costs Billions "Confusion over 'Best By' and 'Sell By' dates costs U.S. households billions and fuels food waste. Uncover the truth about what these labels mean."

The Unseen Code on Your Groceries: How Misleading Food Date Labels Drive a Crisis of Waste
#FoodWaste #FoodLabels #BestBy #Sustainability #ConsumerEducation #FoodPolicy #FactRage #FactRageNews

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