MCC Law Center

05/28/2026

Mortgage rates are climbing again just as the spring home buying season slows down, putting even more pressure on buyers already dealing with high home prices, insurance costs, and property taxes. Freddie Mac says the average rate for a 30 year fixed mortgage rose to 6.51% this week, the highest level in nearly nine months. Even small rate increases can add hundreds of dollars to a monthly payment, so consumers should take time to compare lenders and get multiple quotes before signing anything. Experts say shopping around could still save buyers thousands over the life of a loan.

05/26/2026

Cryptocurrency kiosk scams are exploding across the country, and scammers are stealing thousands of dollars from consumers by pressuring them to deposit cash into crypto ATMs. These criminals often pretend to be government agencies, tech support workers, romantic partners, or investment advisers and use fear, urgency, and emotional manipulation to convince victims to act fast. Once cryptocurrency is sent, it is extremely difficult to recover. Common red flags include demands for immediate payment, threats of arrest or account freezes, promises of guaranteed investment profits, and instructions to keep the transaction secret. Remember, legitimate government agencies and businesses will never demand payment in cryptocurrency. If someone is pressuring you to use a crypto kiosk, stop, slow down, and verify the story with a trusted family member, friend, bank, or the organization directly using official contact information. Protect yourself and others by sharing this warning, especially with older adults who are frequently targeted by these scams.

04/28/2026

The digital landscape is shifting, and unfortunately, scammers are leading the charge. New FTC data reveals a staggering $2.1 billion was lost to social media scams in 2025, the highest losses ever recorded for a single contact method and an eightfold increase since 2020. Here in Massachusetts and across the country, nearly 1 in 3 fraud victims report the scam started right on their feed, with Facebook topping the list of reported platforms. From deceptive shopping ads for products that never arrive to sophisticated direct messages, scammers are exploiting the platforms where we spend the most time to build false trust. Stay vigilant, Bay Staters: always verify sellers independently, be skeptical of "too good to be true" discounts, and think twice before clicking that "Buy Now" button on a social ad.

04/02/2026

The USPS is considering adding a fuel surcharge to some package deliveries, which could mean higher shipping costs for businesses and consumers.

The proposed fee would go up or down based on fuel prices and would mainly affect services like Priority Mail and Parcel Select. While USPS says it’s trying to keep up with rising transportation costs, advocates warn this could hit small businesses and online shoppers the hardest.

The plan is still under review, so nothing is final yet but it’s something to keep an eye on if you rely on shipping.

03/31/2026

Cybercriminals are increasingly using fake CAPTCHA prompts to trick people into enabling malware and scam notifications, and security experts warn this tactic is spreading quickly across ads, pirated content sites, and social media links. What looks like a routine “I’m not a robot” check is now being turned against users, with fake prompts asking people to click “Allow,” download software, or even run commands, actions that can lead to persistent scam pop-ups, phishing attempts, or malicious software on their devices. These scams work because they appear at moments when users are trying to quickly access content and often closely mimic trusted tools like Google reCAPTCHA. Remember, real CAPTCHAs will never ask you to enable notifications, download anything, or run commands. If something feels off, close the page immediately and avoid interacting. Staying cautious, keeping your browser updated, and reviewing notification settings can help protect you from this growing threat.

03/04/2026

☀️ Thinking about going solar in Massachusetts? Read this first!

With thousands of MA residents already making the switch, solar energy is more popular than ever, but not every deal is as bright as it seems. Before you sign a contract, know this: if you own your system, you keep the tax credits, incentive payments, and long-term savings. If you sign a lease or PPA with a solar company, those perks go to them, not you. The good news? MA has some amazing programs like SMART 3.0 that pay you for the energy your panels produce, and net metering that credits you for extra electricity sent back to the grid. Always get quotes from multiple installers, never feel pressured to sign on the spot, and if a deal sounds too good to be true, it might be. Renters, you are not left out either! Community Solar lets you benefit from clean energy without installing a single panel. 💡 Have questions about a solar contract or think you've been misled by a solar company? We're here to help, reach out to us today!

03/02/2026

Did you know that Massachusetts has no universal law requiring stores to accept returns? 🛍️ As long as a product isn't defective, retailers can set whatever return policy they choose, but they must clearly display it before you make your purchase, and a salesperson cannot misrepresent it to make a sale. Defective merchandise is a different story: stores must accept it back and offer you a repair, replacement, or full refund, no questions asked. If you receive store credit, you have at least seven years to use it. And that "cooling-off period" you've heard about? It's more limited than most people think! It only applies in specific situations, such as door-to-door sales over $25 (3 days to cancel), credit repair service contracts (until midnight of the third business day), gym or health club memberships (3 business days, with a refund due within 15 days), and timeshare contracts (3 business days, with refunds due immediately or within 7 days depending on payment method). Knowing your rights before you buy can save you a lot of frustration, so share this post so your friends and family are protected too! 💪

02/25/2026

02/24/2026

Home prices are still rising, but much more slowly. In January, the median U.S. home sale price increased just 1.1% year over year to $422,921, marking 10 straight months of growth below 2% after the double-digit spikes seen during the pandemic. With more homes on the market than buyers, sellers are facing increased competition and homes are selling for an average of 2.1% below list price, with fewer bidding wars. However, affordability remains a challenge: while the average 30-year mortgage rate dipped to 6.1%, it is still far higher than pandemic-era lows. Wages are rising faster than home prices, which may improve affordability over time, but for now many buyers remain cautious amid high borrowing costs, economic uncertainty, and rising contract cancellations.

12/04/2025

The U.S. housing market is moving toward what experts are calling a “Great Housing Reset,” a slow and steady return to more normal pricing, sales, and affordability beginning around 2026. Redfin forecasts that mortgage rates will ease into the low-6% range while wage growth finally begins to outpace home-price increases for the first time since the Great Recession. That shift should give some buyers breathing room, with monthly payments rising more slowly than incomes and home-price growth cooling to about 1% year over year. But the recovery won’t be dramatic: high costs, economic uncertainty, shrinking apartment supply, and a labor market reshaped by AI will continue to push many households toward renting, multigenerational living, or staying put and renovating instead of buying.

These trends come with major consumer implications. Renters may see 2–3% increases as new construction slows, while homeowners with higher-rate mortgages could benefit from a refinancing boom if rates dip. Policymakers—responding to voter frustration with housing costs—are expected to push pro-housing, supply-boosting measures, from easier zoning for ADUs to legislation aimed at speeding up new development. But even with political momentum, experts caution that true affordability will take years to rebuild. Regions with stable prices and lower climate risk, such as areas near the Great Lakes and around New York City, are positioned to fare better, while pandemic-boom markets may face losses as insurance costs rise and return-to-office trends continue.