Digital-Safety

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Every March, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our defenses against fraud. This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar to shed light on the specific scam tactics that are proving most effective—and most dangerous—right now. For anyone who banks online, shops on the internet, or simply has a phone, understanding these trends is the first step in avoiding significant financial and emotional harm. ...

Don’t Get Parked by a Fake Ticket: How to Spot a Parking Violation Scam If you’ve ever found a parking ticket on your windshield, your heart probably sank. Now, scammers are exploiting that moment of frustration and worry with a new wave of fake violation notices. According to a recent consumer alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), drivers are being targeted by a convincing parking ticket scam designed to steal money and personal information. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted Gift cards are convenient presents, but they have become a favorite tool for scammers. In December 2025, the District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about a rise in gift card fraud, echoing similar warnings from consumer protection agencies across the country. The message is straightforward: no legitimate company or government agency will ever demand payment with a gift card. Yet thousands of people fall for this trick every year, losing hundreds of dollars each time. ...

How to Spot and Avoid the New Parking Ticket Scam If you drive, your inbox or phone is likely familiar with messages about appointments, deliveries, or toll charges. Scammers are banking on that familiarity with a new scheme designed to catch you off guard: fake parking violation notices. ...

Watch Out for Text Messages About Unpaid Parking Tickets If you drive in North Carolina, be extra careful about text messages claiming you have an unpaid parking ticket. The state’s Department of Justice has issued a consumer alert warning of a new scam where fraudsters pose as official agencies to steal your money and personal information. ...

A New Parking Ticket Scam Is Targeting Drivers. Here’s How to Spot It. If you receive a text or email demanding immediate payment for a parking violation you don’t remember, pause before you click. Law enforcement officials are warning of a new scam designed to panic drivers into handing over money and personal information. ...

Watch for Fake Parking Tickets: A New Scam Hits Drivers’ Phones If your phone buzzes with a text demanding immediate payment for a parking ticket you don’t remember getting, pause before you panic—or pay. The North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) recently issued a consumer alert warning drivers about a new wave of parking violation scams. Fraudsters are sending urgent, official-looking messages to trick people into handing over money and personal information. ...

The New Scam Tactics You Need to Recognize Now Scammers don’t take time off. Their methods evolve constantly, becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. To help consumers stay ahead, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a crucial webinar as part of National Consumer Protection Week, shining a light on the most current and troubling fraud trends. This isn’t just theoretical; understanding these patterns is your first line of defense. This article breaks down the key takeaways from that FTC discussion and translates them into practical steps you can use to protect yourself and your family. ...

Watch Out for Fake Parking Tickets: A New Scam Targets Drivers If you’ve parked in North Carolina recently, you might want to take a close look at any text messages or emails about parking violations. State officials are warning drivers about a new scam where fraudsters send fake parking tickets, aiming to steal your money and personal information. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Top Scams Staying ahead of scammers feels like a full-time job. Just as you learn to dodge one scheme, a new, more sophisticated one pops up. That’s why the insights shared by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) during a recent National Consumer Protection Week webinar are so valuable. They provide a crucial snapshot of the evolving threats targeting your wallet and personal information right now. ...