WATCH LIVE

San FranciscoEast BaySouth BayPeninsulaNorth Bay
EDIT
Welcome,
Manage MyDisney Account
Log Out

CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Bumble Bee Tuna files for bankruptcy, T-Mobile discloses data breach, and Christmas trees prices are on the rise

BySimone Chavoor KGO logo
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Bumble Bee Tuna files for bankruptcy, T-Mobile discloses data breach, and more
CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Bumble Bee Tuna files for bankruptcy, T-Mobile discloses a data breach, and Christmas trees prices are on the rise.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Bumble Bee Foods files for bankruptcy

Bumble Bee tuna is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The San Diego-based tuna brand filed in Delaware on Thursday, and announced it will be selling its assets to Taiwan-based fish supply chain company FCF Co. Ltd. for $925 million.

The company sells tuna, salmon, sardines, clam juice, and other seafoods under the brand names Bumble Bee, Brunswick, Sweet Sue, Snow's, Beach Cliff, and Wild Selections.

"Employees will get paid, our customer partners can count on us to continue delivering outstanding brands and services, and vendors will be paid in the ordinary course of business," said Bumble Bee CEO Jan Tharp.

Bumble Bee was previously involved in a price-fixing scheme that landed the company in hot water. In 2016, Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons sued Bumble Bee along with Starkist and Chicken-of-the-Sea, accusing them of fixing prices. Bumble Bee pled guilty and agreed to pay a $25 million fine. This litigation and the settlement contributed to the company's financial woes.

RELATED: Don't eat romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, California: FDA warning

T-Mobile's prepaid customers' data hacked

Wireless carrier T-Mobile disclosed that it suffered a data breach, exposing the data of its prepaid customers.

The company said that no financial data, Social Security numbers, or passwords were compromised. Names, addresses, phone numbers, account numbers, and some other personal data were accessed by a "malicious party." T-Mobile said it "quickly corrected" the issue once it was discovered.

T-Mobile is in the process of notifying affected customers. Those whose data was compromised are encouraged to reset their PINs on their accounts.

"Our Cybersecurity team discovered and shut down malicious, unauthorized access to some information related to your T-Mobile prepaid wireless account," T-Mobile said on its website. "We promptly reported this to authorities."

Christmas tree prices on the rise due to the 2008 recession

Christmas trees are going to be a bit more expensive this year - thanks to economic conditions from a decade ago.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association and payments company Square, the average cost of a live evergreen was $78 in 2018, up from $75 in 2016 and 2017. That's a 4 percent increase - and because experts are expecting that trend to continue, it could mean trees will cost about $81 each this year.

During the 2008 recession, consumers tightened their Christmas budgets, resulting in poor tree sales. That in turn caused tree growers to plant fewer trees - and now, we're seeing the results of that smaller supply. The Christmas trees seen in lots are about 6 to 10 years old at the time they are harvested.

Take a look at more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side.

Report a correction or typo
Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Related

CONSUMER CATCH-UP: EpiPen maker to pay $30 million for financial nondisclosure, DOJ issues guidelines for using consumer genetic databases, and tax cheats cost the U.S. $381 billion each year

    CONSUMER CATCH-UP: How much Americans spend on Halloween candy, a simple way to cut your water bill by 13 percent, and Congress urged to reevaluate airline 'family seating' policies

      CONSUMER CATCH-UP: FTC sues Match for deceptive 'love interest' ads, Home Meridian recalls dresser for tip-over risk, and dogs can lower your home's resale value

        CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Nissan recalls 1.2 million cars for backup camera glitch, Nestle debuts plant-based 'Awesome Burger,' and price of tomatoes may rise after new agreement

          CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Chevy recalls Trax SUVs due to suspension flaw, reports of scam 'smishing' texts increase, and Iceland is rated the best place to retire

            CONSUMER CATCH-UP: San Francisco sues travel websites for deceptive practices, major broadcasters drop e-cigarette ads, and authorities warn of new Venmo scams

              CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Amazon allows shoppers to pay cash for online purchases, WalletHub ranks the best California cities to retire, and consumers cite high TV costs as the reason for cord-cutting

                CONSUMER CATCH-UP: AT&T sued for allegedly creating fake DirecTV Now accounts, people would rather drive than use self-driving cars, survey says

                  CONSUMER CATCH-UP: GPS trackers found to leak location data, Galaxy Fold pre-orders canceled, and the 3 things to shop for in September

                    CONSUMER CATCH-UP: AT&T declared 'best network' by testing firm, Target releases list of hot toys, and Amazon reportedly testing hand-scan checkout systems

                      CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Prep for phones before Hurricane Dorian, stem cell therapy company warned by FDA, and 24,000 pounds of beef recalled

                        CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Ford recalls 10 vehicle models for multiple issues, dental offices crippled by ransomware attack, and RH recalls chairs due to lead paint

                          CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Travel companies announce Hurricane Dorian plans, new scam purports to be from U.S. Marshals, and pill bottles recalled due to child safety risk

                            CONSUMER CATCH-UP: United Airlines' frequent flyer miles no longer expire, Toyota recalls cars for airbag issues yet again, and Tesla to offer its customers car insurance policies

                              CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Carriers, state Attorneys General form anti-robocall coalition, DoorDash changes tipping policy, Amazon carries banned products, and consumers make better decisions when angry

                                CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Smart speakers may connect consumers to scammers, Google announces 'privacy sandbox' initiative, and Apple's new credit card requires serious care and cleaning

                                  CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Toyota recalls RAV4s over backup camera issue, YouTube shuts down in-app messaging, and an unprotected server exposed MoviePass user data

                                    CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Facebook adding controls for data accessed by third parties, wireless carriers found to throttle video streams, and Spotify to allow parents to filter explicit content

                                      CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Tesla to rent solar panels, 2019 on track to set record for most data breaches, and the Tooth Fairy's leaving kids less cash

                                        CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Mercury ordered to pay largest-ever insurance fine, Tyson recalls chicken patties, and Palm offers $5 phone plan

                                          CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Credit Karma exposes user data, and WalletHub lists cheapest, most expensive cars to insure

                                            CONSUMER CATCH-UP: FAA bans recalled MacBooks from U.S. flights, FCC Chairman recommends approving Sprint, T-Mobile merger, and clothing retailer Avenue to close

                                              CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Motorized awnings recalled after injuries, death, lawmakers ask for transparency in 'Amazon's Choice' program, and Domino's to deliver via e-bike

                                                CONSUMER CATCH-UP: CFPB delays rule to make car title loans less risky, Chase forgives Canadians' debt, and robocall-blocking apps may violate user privacy

                                                  CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Ford recalls SUVs with rollaway risk, IRS may revoke passports of those with major tax debt, and Consumer Reports urges FTC action over hotel 'resort fees'

                                                    CONSUMER CATCH-UP: FCC and FEMA to test emergency alert system, finances seen as one of the most taboo topics, and Google outlines efforts to go carbon-neutral

                                                      CONSUMER CATCH-UP: CFPB rule change might make it harder to get mortgages, Poshmark hacked, and AirPods get a new sharing feature

                                                        CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Audi recalls cars with faulty airbags, researchers list the most- and least-stolen new cars, and more scooter companies will be permitted in SF

                                                          CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Retailers sued over 'Edison' lightbulbs, FTC warns of fake Equifax claim websites, and Impossible Burgers to hit grocery store shelves

                                                            CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Next steps for consumers after Capital One hack, FTC's new interactive robocall website, and almost a third of delivery drivers eat customers' food

                                                              CONSUMER CATCH-UP: IRS warns Bitcoin users to pay their taxes, Regal Cinemas offers 'unlimited' movie program, and Acura recalls cars over driveshaft issue

                                                                CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Samsung's foldable smartphone to launch in September, FitBits may not work on darker skin tones, and Mazda recalls cars over headrests

                                                                  CONSUMER CATCH-UP: DoorDash changes controversial tipping policy, Nintendo offers repair for 'Joy-Con drift' on Switch, and Trek recalls Kickster bikes

                                                                    CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Boppy recalls infant accessories, FTC urged to investigate Amazon over paid endorsements, and GNC to close 900 stores

                                                                      CONSUMER CATCH-UP: P&G launching 'smart diapers,' online searches for canceling Prime membership peaked on Prime Day, and Twitter tweaks its design again

                                                                        CONSUMER CATCH-UP: CVS recalls eyedrops, Apple warns of spoofed calls, and Tesla could become part of Walt Disney World

                                                                          CONSUMER CATCH-UP: Toyota tests new car roof solar cells, Apple redesigns MacBook keyboards, and teen employment rates stagnant

                                                                            Live Streams
                                                                            ON NOW