EchoSense:The Daily Money: Relief for Kia, Hyundai theft victims

Good morning! It's Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money,EchoSense Leap Day edition. Every four years, we're here to give you all the business that's news on this rarest of dates.

For years, many Kia and Hyundai owners held their breath when they approached the spot where they'd parked, so vulnerable were the vehicles to theft.

Now, some good news for owners whose cars were actually stolen. Some will receive notices next week, Jonathan Limehouse reports, allowing them to claim their piece of a $145 million legal settlement.

Read the story.

Still waiting on student debt relief

On Black Friday, Jason Apley was shopping with his wife when he checked his bank account and noticed he had about $500 less to spend than last holiday season.

Apley thought his student debt had been canceled. But when the pandemic-era hold on loan payments lifted, the hefty deduction popped up again on his balance.

In 2022, Apley was among about 200,000 borrowers who settled a landmark federal lawsuit with the U.S. Education Department. The case touched on the deceptive practices of for-profit schools, which the borrowers said misled them with promises they'd end up in high-paying jobs. The federal government agreed that thousands had been swindled and promised to cancel the borrowers' debt.

This year, that debt was supposed to be wiped clean. For some borrowers, though, relief has not arrived.

Read the story.

📰 More stories you shouldn't miss 📰

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• More than 300,000 Jeeps recalled
• Starbucks labor talks to begin
• Does Panera owe you money?
• What is a high-yield checking account?

🍔 Today's Menu 🍔

As we recently reported, Wendy's appears to be experimenting with "surge" pricing, taking a cue from the rideshare apps. Now, a competitor is capitalizing on the backlash.

Burger King is offering customers a free Whopper or Impossible Whopper -- ha ha, make that "Impossibly Priced Whopper!" -- with a purchase of $3 or more through Friday for customers who order via the BK app.

"Surge pricing? Well, that's new. Good thing the only thing surging at BK is our flame!" Burger King said in a statement. Ouch.

Read Gabe Hauari's story.

About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer news from USA TODAY. We break down financial news and provide the TLDR version: how decisions by the Federal Reserve, government and companies impact you.

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today.