But some customers told NBC4 Responds they began to have issues with orders not being fulfilled starting in March. Jennifer Williamson said she still hasn’t received an order she placed in November. Customers said they’re out $300, $350 and more than $600 each.

They started contacting the company by email and on their Facebook page. Others joined “buyer beware” Facebook pages with thousands of followers.

“I’m hoping that the people who have been impacted can also get resolution because it’s been a very large community of people who’ve been disappointed,” customer Megan Delossi said.

The company’s website was taken down, and the phone number for owner Rachael Dalfonzo was disconnected. When NBC4’s sister station in Philadelphia visited the address listed on the company’s New Jersey business license, no one answered.

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The New Jersey attorney general’s office has received 841 complaints about Monkey Feet since last August. Of these, 677 remain open and under review.

The company previously had a business license in Florida. The state’s office of the attorney general there says it’s actively reviewing 58 complaints.

The Better Business Bureau put out an alert on Monkey Feet USA that it’s “received a pattern of complaints concerning non-delivery and refund issues,” and according to the BBB’s files, the company is no longer in business.

Here’s what you can do if you’re a dissatisfied customer or someone who ordered a product that was never delivered:

• Dispute the charges with your credit card company. If your request is denied, try again and show proof of your tracking information, showing that nothing was delivered.
• Write a review. Companies read them and most respond.
• Post your complaint on the company’s social media accounts.
• File a complaint with the attorney general’s office where the business is located.

Monkey Feet customers who NBC4 spoke with said they just want to see someone take accountability.

“I want to see them be held accountable. Certainly. I think all of us do. But really, I want to understand, what happened?” customer Katie Barrett asked.

Monkey Feet has not filed for bankruptcy, meaning, according to the BBB, that they’re still obligated to fulfill your order. Losing a business does not relieve the owner of that responsibility. 

For many people, it’s hard to tell the difference between seasonal allergies, the common cold and the flu. Here’s a look at the similarities and the key differences:

Allergy Symptoms

Kaiser Permanente Dr. Troy Baker said allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer due to climate change. People may already experience the common allergy symptoms, Baker said.

“With allergies, itchiness is a big component, their eyes itch, their nose itches and there’s a lot of sneezing too,” he said.

While people often suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s not the only thing to consider.

“The trees are going to come out February to around June, grass is the next to come out,” he said. “May is the big grass month, that’s probably when it’s going to be the worst this year.”

Allergies can last several weeks and be treated with antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and saline solution.

People who have seasonal allergies typically have the same symptoms pop up and go away around the same time each year, according to Dr. Baker.

Virus Symptoms

Even though flu season peaks in the winter, cases can last through May. That’s in addition to other respiratory viruses circulating.

“With viruses, there are some unique differences. People who get viruses may have body aches, fever, chills,” he said. “They can have GI symptoms that are not characteristic of allergies, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and they just feel a lot of fatigue.”

For adults, the common cold typically lasts five to seven days and can be treated with pain relievers, decongestants, fluids and a lot of rest.

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Prince George’s County police gave away about 500 steering wheel locking devices to Kia owners whose cars are at risk from the “Kia Challenge.”

The police department worked with Kia and Hyundai to get the devices and distribute them to select car owners, a spokesperson said.

The Kia Challenge started on TikTok, showing how certain older-model Kias and Hyundais can be stolen with a USB cord. According to the NHTSA, approximately 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias lack an “immobilizer” that prevents the car from starting without the key.

The thefts have skyrocketed across the country. Now, some insurance companies are raising rates and refusing to accept new customers with certain Kias and Hyundais, because of the increased cost of replacements and repairs.

One woman in Laurel, Maryland, had her car stolen twice.

Last week, Hyundai and Kia announced they would provide a free theft deterrent software update to anyone who owns the vulnerable cars. That software is set to roll out in phases at the end of February.

For information about the free updates, car owners can call Hyundai toll-free at 800-633-5151, or call Kia toll-free at 800-333-4542.

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The news was shared in a consumer alert from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday.

“Hyundai and Kia have developed theft deterrent software for millions of their vehicles that lack an immobilizer and will provide it FREE of charge to vehicle owners,” the alert said.

The update software will lengthen the car alarm “from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the key to be in the ignition switch to turn the vehicle on,” the alert said.

The Kia Challenge began on TikTok, showing how certain older-model Kias and Hyundais can be stolen with a USB cord.

According to the NHTSA, approximately 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias lack an “immobilizer” that prevents the car from starting without the key.

Thefts skyrocketed across the country after the challenge began. According to the consumer alert, the social media challenge “has resulted in at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities” in addition to a number of stolen cars.

One Maryland woman, Lexy, had her Kia stolen twice thanks to the challenge. After costly repairs to fix the damage caused by the first theft, her Kia Optima went missing a second time and still hasn’t been found.

“My stomach just dropped. I was in complete shock,” Lexy told News4 earlier this month.

Like other Kia and Hyundai owners, she saw higher car insurance rates due to the increased cost of replacements and repairs.

According to the consumer alert, Hyundai and Kia “have been working with law enforcement agencies to provide more than 26,000 steering wheel locks since November 2022 to 77 law enforcement agencies in 12 states.”

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Lexy also, like many other drivers, planned to get a steering wheel lock, but the police department was out of free ones, and the online prices had skyrocketed.

But the lack of action from the car companies up to now had been frustrating.

“We’re just citizens trying to get to work, trying to take care of our families,” Lexy said. “The fact that they have not offered any kind of compensation, any way to fix the issue — it really is baffling.”

Hyundai will roll out its software update in phases later in February, the alert said, and will send customers “a window sticker alerting would-be thieves that the vehicle is equipped with anti-theft protection.”

Kia will also begin to update its vehicles later in February.

For information about the free updates, car owners can call Hyundai toll-free at 800-633-5151, or call Kia toll-free at 800-333-4542.