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SALT LAKE CITY — The Department of Homeland Security has issued a call for help to speed up the lines at airport security.
Also, consumers might want to think twice about getting an extended warranty on a new car, and a health care deadline is near.
Obamacare deadline approaches
Time is running out on open enrollment for Obamacare.
So far, some 4 million people have signed up for medical coverage under the federal health care law.
By March 31, nearly everyone in the U.S. is required to have health insurance or risk paying a $95 tax penalty. After that date, subsidized coverage will be unavailable this year, even in the case of serious illness.
The next open enrollment begins in November.
Extended warranty woes
Consumers might want to skip the extended warranty when buying a new car.
Consumer Reports surveyed 12,000 car owners and found more than half never used the coverage.
Researchers found the average cost for an extended car warranty was more than $1,200.
Among the owners who used it, their median savings was just $837. That means the average driver who actually used their extended warranty lost more than $375 with the purchase.
Tech help for Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security has issued this call to technology companies: Help us speed up the lines at airport security checkpoints.
The agency wants to develop a new security scanner that automatically detects threats without making passengers take off their jackets, belts and shoes.
Don't expect to see a new scanner anytime soon at Salt Lake International, or any airport.
The process is expected to take years.
