Digital-Safety

Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: What You Need to Know to Avoid Being Tricked Intro Gift cards are a convenient present, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. On December 15, 2025, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams. While the alert targets local consumers, the tactics and takeaways apply nationwide. If you receive an unexpected call, text, or email demanding payment via a gift card, it’s almost certainly a scam. ...

Gift Card Scams: New Alert Highlights Warning Signs Everyone Should Know Earlier this month, Attorney General Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C. issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. While the alert was directed at D.C. consumers, the tactics described are used everywhere. Gift card fraud is one of the most common and costly scams in the United States today, and it shows no signs of slowing down. ...

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. ...

Don’t Get Towed by a Fake Ticket: Spotting the New Parking Violation Scam If you drive in North Carolina, be careful about any urgent message claiming you owe money for a parking violation. According to a March 2026 alert from the state’s Department of Justice (NCDOJ), scammers are sending out fake parking tickets to trick drivers into paying up and handing over personal information. ...

Don’t Get Parked by a Scam: How to Spot Fake Parking Tickets If you drive in North Carolina, be on alert. The state’s Department of Justice has issued a warning about a new wave of parking violation scams designed to trick drivers into paying fines that don’t exist. These cons are becoming more sophisticated, often using official-looking communications to create a false sense of urgency. Understanding how they work is your first line of defense. ...

Don’t Get Parked by a Scam: How to Spot Fake Violation Notices If you’ve ever returned to your car to find a parking ticket tucked under the wiper, your heart probably sinks. Now, scammers are exploiting that exact feeling of dread. According to a recent consumer alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), drivers are being targeted by a new wave of parking violation scams designed to steal money and personal information. ...

Don’t Fall for the Fake Ticket: A New Parking Scam Hits North Carolina If you drive in North Carolina, be on high alert. The state’s Department of Justice recently issued a warning about a convincing new scam designed to trick drivers into paying for parking violations they never committed. This fraud is a timely reminder that scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and a moment of confusion can lead to real financial loss. ...

What the FTC’s Latest Scam Alert Means for You Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Just when you think you’ve heard of every trick, they invent a new one. That’s why the recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) webinar, held during National Consumer Protection Week, is so valuable. It cut through the noise to highlight the specific fraud tactics that are currently trapping people. By understanding these trends, you can build a stronger defense for your wallet and personal information. ...

That Parking Ticket on Your Windshield Might Be a Scam If you’ve returned to your car to find a parking violation notice tucked under the wiper, your first instinct might be frustration—and then to pay it quickly to avoid more trouble. But authorities are warning that scammers are now exploiting this very reaction with a new fraud scheme. ...

The “Pig Butchering” Scam: How to Spot It and Protect Your Money You receive a friendly, seemingly accidental message. A wrong number, perhaps, or a new connection on social media. The conversation starts casually, but over weeks or months, it evolves. Your new contact is personable, shares stories of their success, and eventually reveals an “exclusive” investment opportunity with incredible returns. This is the opening act of a devastating financial fraud known as “pig butchering,” and authorities like New York Attorney General Letitia James are urging the public to be on high alert. ...