This Planet Money podcast episode, "Indicators of the Week," discusses three key economic indicators. First, it highlights a 25% increase in fraud losses in 2024, reaching $12.5 billion, largely due to imposter scams involving phone calls. Second, it covers Southwest Airlines ending its "bags fly free" policy, marking the completion of the "great unbundling" trend in air travel. Finally, it examines the rising American consumption of avocados (3 billion pounds annually) and the potential impact of tariffs on their price. The episode uses these examples to illustrate current economic trends and their impact on consumers.
