Posts

New Parking Violation Scam: How to Spot Fake Tickets and Avoid Being Duped Parking tickets are a common frustration, but a newer scam adds a layer of risk. State officials in North Carolina recently warned drivers about a spike in fake parking violation notices—both physical tickets left on windshields and digital messages sent via text or email. While the alert originated there, the tactics are identical to ones cropping up nationwide. Understanding how these scams work and knowing a few verification steps can save you money and protect your personal information. ...

FTC Webinar Scam Trends: What Consumers Should Know Each year during National Consumer Protection Week (the first full week of March), the Federal Trade Commission releases new data on the fraud landscape. This year’s webinar zeroed in on the scams consumers are most likely to encounter right now—and how to spot them before it’s too late. ...

Attorney General Warning: How to Spot and Avoid Pig Butchering Scams A new consumer alert from the New York Attorney General’s office puts a spotlight on “pig butchering” scams—a particularly cruel form of fraud that combines fake romance with bogus cryptocurrency investments. The term itself is crude but descriptive: scammers “fatten up” their victims with affection and false trust before slaughtering their finances. Understanding how these schemes operate can help you avoid becoming the next target. ...

New Parking Violation Text Scam: What to Do If You Get One If you’ve recently received a text message claiming you owe money for an unpaid parking ticket, you’re not alone. State attorneys general have been issuing fresh warnings about a scam that targets drivers by impersonating parking authorities. The message looks official, often includes the name of a real parking company, and demands immediate payment. But it’s a phishing attempt designed to steal your credit card information. ...

Attorney General Warns of Investment Scams on Meta Platforms: What to Watch For If you use Facebook or Instagram, chances are you’ve seen ads or messages promoting “can’t-miss” investment opportunities. Cryptocurrency schemes, celebrity-endorsed trading platforms, and early-stage stock tips are common. What’s less obvious is that many of these offers are scams designed to steal your money. ...

Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you get a call demanding payment with a gift card, it’s a scam. That message comes not only from consumer advocates but recently from the District of Columbia Attorney General’s office, which issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card fraud. While the alert targeted Washington, D.C., the scam itself is nationwide. Gift card scams are among the most frequently reported types of fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. Understanding how they work—and what to do if you’ve been targeted—can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. ...

Don’t Get Duped by Fake Parking Tickets – A New Scam Is Targeting Drivers If you get a text or email saying you owe a parking fine and need to pay immediately, do not click the link. A wave of phishing scams is impersonating state DMVs and parking authorities, and the North Carolina Department of Justice has issued an official consumer alert. Similar schemes have appeared in other states, often following the launch of digital payment systems for parking or toll violations. Here is what you need to know to spot the fraud and protect your money. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot and Avoid Them Gift cards are convenient, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about a spike in gift card fraud. While the alert is aimed at Washington, D.C., the tactics used are widespread, and the advice applies to consumers everywhere. ...

New Parking Violation Scam Targets Drivers: How to Spot the Fake Ticket If you’ve parked in a public lot or on a street in North Carolina recently and returned to find a ticket on your windshield, you might want to take a second look before reaching for your wallet. The North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) issued a consumer alert in March 2026 warning of a new parking violation scam that uses fake tickets to trick drivers into paying bogus fines. ...

Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Scam: How to Protect Yourself from Gift Card Fraud Gift cards are meant to be a simple, thoughtful present. Unfortunately, their convenience and ease of use have also made them a favorite tool for scammers. This isn’t just a minor annoyance—it’s a serious and widespread form of fraud that costs consumers millions each year. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert specifically warning District residents about the ongoing threat of gift card scams, underscoring the need for public vigilance. ...