Morning Business Report: Gas prices fall below $4 as Americans face rising debt and holiday shopping scams

The national average price for regular gasoline has fallen below $4 a gallon for the first time since July, offering some relief to drivers as Americans continue facing financial pressures.

(LILAMAX)- The national average price for regular gasoline has fallen below $4 a gallon for the first time since July, offering some relief to drivers as Americans continue facing financial pressures.

According to AAA, the average price dropped to $3.98 per gallon November 10, down approximately 17 cents from the previous week and 39 cents from a month earlier.

Lower crude oil prices and typical seasonal declines in demand are helping bring prices down at the pump.

Meanwhile, more Americans are falling behind on home and auto loan payments.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports that credit card debt has climbed to a record $1.29 trillion. However, the share of credit card debt transitioning into early and serious delinquency improved slightly.

On Wall Street, stocks declined Tuesday as Nvidia shares continued falling and inflation came in higher than expected.

U.S. stock markets remain open Wednesday for Veterans Day.

As the holiday shopping season approaches, a new report highlights growing concerns about online fraud.

According to the Norton Holiday Report 2026, nearly one in six American adults has fallen victim to an online holiday shopping scam. Among Generation Z consumers, that figure rises to 25%.

The report found that 88% of victims lost money, with an average loss of $394.

Nearly half of holiday scam victims, 47%, reported being targeted through social media platforms.

Norton also found that fraudulent online store activity increased 129% compared with the beginning of previous holiday shopping seasons.

Meanwhile, a company called Toybox is offering families another option as toy prices rise ahead of the holidays.

Toybox produces a 3D printer designed for children, allowing them to create and print toys at home using printing materials.

The company says its platform produces a toy every 3.1 seconds and has operated profitably for two years with a staff of just 22 employees.

Toybox also holds licensing agreements with entertainment companies including Warner Bros. and Universal, allowing children to print items such as Harry Potter wands and Batman figures.

The technology offers an alternative for families looking to manage holiday toy expenses amid rising prices and tariffs.