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. ...
Your Guide to the Latest Scam Trends and How to Stay Safe Each year, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our digital habits. This year, a key event was an FTC webinar dedicated to unpacking the latest scam trends. With fraudsters constantly refining their tactics, this update isn’t just informative—it’s a necessary tool for safeguarding your finances and personal information. ...
The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How Fraudsters Fatten Victims Before the Slaughter You get a friendly, unexpected message on social media, a dating app, or even your phone. It seems harmless—a wrong number, a shared interest, or a potential new connection. Over weeks or months, a relationship builds. They’re sympathetic, engaging, and talk often about their financial success. Then, an “opportunity” arises: a chance to invest in cryptocurrency or another venture with incredible returns. If you’ve experienced this, you may be the target of a ruthless long-con known as a “pig butchering” scam. ...
Don’t Get Tricked by Fake Parking Tickets: A Practical Guide If you drive in North Carolina, be extra cautious about messages demanding payment for a parking ticket. State officials have issued a new alert warning drivers about a sophisticated parking violation scam circulating via text and email. But the tactics used are universal, and understanding them can protect drivers anywhere. ...
The Silent Weapon Against Scams: Why and How to Report Fraud It’s a sinking feeling—the moment you realize you’ve been targeted by a scam. Whether you lost money or simply recognized a fraudulent attempt, the immediate reactions are often anger, embarrassment, or a desire to just forget it ever happened. But there’s one crucial, empowering step that follows: reporting it. ...
Don’t Get Towed by a Fake Ticket: How to Spot a Parking Violation Scam If you’ve recently received an urgent text, email, or letter demanding payment for a parking ticket you don’t remember getting, you’re not alone. The North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) issued a consumer alert in March 2026 warning drivers about a new wave of sophisticated parking violation scams. These cons are designed to create panic and trick you into paying money or surrendering personal information to criminals. ...