Watch Out for Fake Parking Tickets: How to Spot the Latest Scam If you’ve ever rushed back to your car, worried about a parking meter running out, you know that sinking feeling. Scammers are banking on that anxiety, and a recent alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice warns they’re now using it to steal your money and personal information. ...
Don’t Get Towed by a Parking Ticket Scam If you find a parking violation notice on your windshield or receive one in the mail, your first reaction might be annoyance followed by a quick check of your wallet. Scammers are banking on that exact sequence. Authorities, including the North Carolina Department of Justice, are warning drivers about a rise in fraudulent parking tickets designed to steal your money and personal information. Understanding how this scam works is your first line of defense. ...
How the Latest Scams Are Evolving—and How to Fight Back If you’ve noticed an uptick in suspicious texts, odd emails, or urgent voicemails lately, you’re not alone. Scammers are constantly refining their playbook, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. Recently, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public webinar to spotlight the latest trends in fraud. Their goal was straightforward: to arm everyday people with knowledge about how scams are changing right now. ...
Attorney General Issues Warning: How “Pig Butchering” Scams Are Targeting New Yorkers In February 2026, New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a formal consumer alert about a particularly insidious type of fraud: “pig butchering” scams. While the name may sound unusual, the financial damage is brutally real. This warning highlights a growing threat that leverages fake online relationships to fatten up victims—the “pigs”—before financially butchering them. Understanding this scam is the first critical step in preventing it. ...
Parking Ticket Text? Don’t Click. Here’s the New Scam to Watch For If you drive in North Carolina—or frankly, anywhere—you should be on the lookout for a new, convincing text message scam. Posing as a local parking authority, fraudsters are sending urgent messages about unpaid parking violations, hoping to steal your personal and financial information. The North Carolina Department of Justice issued an alert about this scheme in March 2026, warning drivers not to take the bait. ...
Don’t Fall for Fake Fines: How to Spot a Parking Ticket Scam If you drive, you’re likely no stranger to the sinking feeling of finding a parking ticket on your windshield. But what if that violation notice arrives by text or email, demanding immediate payment? That’s the red flag of a new scam, recently highlighted by authorities in North Carolina, that targets drivers with fake fines. ...
What the Latest FTC Scam Alert Means for You Last month, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a crucial webinar detailing the current landscape of fraud. The central message was clear: while the core tactics of scammers remain consistent—pressure, deception, and exploiting emotion—the delivery methods and specific ruses are constantly adapting to new technologies and current events. For anyone who uses email, a phone, or social media, understanding these trends isn’t just useful; it’s a necessary part of digital life. ...
Your Practical Guide to Avoiding Scams and Fraud Every year, fraudsters get a little more clever, but so do the tools and knowledge available to fight back. That’s the core purpose of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a campaign led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). As we look ahead to NCPW 2026, the message remains vital: the best defense against scams is an informed and proactive consumer. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself, based on the enduring principles promoted by this annual event. ...
Your Practical Guide to Staying Safer in a World of Scams Every March, agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlight National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), a focused effort to arm people with knowledge against fraud. While the event itself is a useful calendar marker, the advice it promotes is crucial year-round. As we look ahead, the landscape of scams isn’t disappearing; it’s evolving. Here’s a straightforward look at how you can protect your finances and personal information. ...
Your Annual Check-Up for Digital Self-Defense is Here National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) rolls around every March, and while it might not have the fanfare of a major holiday, it’s arguably more important for your financial health. For 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is once again leading the charge, turning a spotlight on the practical steps you can take to guard your money and personal information. Think of it less as a bureaucratic observance and more as your annual reminder to audit your digital safety habits. ...