Fraud Alert

Parking Violation Scam Alert: North Carolina Drivers Warned About Fake Tickets If you receive a text, email, or even a printed notice on your windshield saying you owe money for a parking violation—and it demands immediate payment—pause before you pay. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson recently issued a consumer alert about a wave of parking violation scams targeting drivers across the state. Fraudsters are impersonating parking authorities, city governments, and even the DMV to trick people into sending money for tickets that don’t exist. ...

New Parking Violation Scam: How to Spot Fake Tickets and Avoid Getting Duped If you’ve ever returned to your car to find a parking ticket tucked under the wiper blade, you know the sinking feeling. But a new scam reported by the North Carolina Department of Justice shows that not every ticket is what it seems. The state’s attorney general recently issued a consumer alert about fraudulent parking violation notices that attempt to trick drivers into paying fines that don’t exist. ...

New Parking Violation Scam: How to Spot Fake Tickets and Avoid Being Tricked If you’ve received an unexpected parking ticket by mail, email, or text that demands immediate payment, take a moment before reaching for your wallet. The North Carolina Department of Justice recently issued a consumer alert about a scam that uses fake parking violation notices to pressure drivers into sending money. ...

When Scammers Strike, Why Reporting Is Your Best Defense It’s an unsettling reality: a new scam seems to pop up every week. You might get a threatening call from an “IRS agent,” a too-good-to-be-true travel offer, or an alarming message about a fake product recall. The instinct for many is to simply hang up, delete the email, and try to forget about it. After all, you didn’t fall for it. What’s the harm? ...

Spotting Parking Ticket Scams: A New Warning for Drivers If you receive a text or email demanding immediate payment for a parking ticket you don’t remember getting, pause before you click. Law enforcement officials are warning of a new wave of sophisticated parking violation scams designed to trick drivers into paying fines that don’t exist. ...

Fraud Alerts vs. Credit Freezes: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Identity If you’re worried about someone opening a credit card or loan in your name, you’re right to be concerned. Identity theft remains a persistent threat, but thankfully, you have two powerful, free tools provided by law to guard your credit: fraud alerts and credit freezes. ...

Your Credit, Your Control: Choosing Between a Fraud Alert and a Credit Freeze In an age where data breaches are frustratingly common, taking proactive steps to protect your credit is a cornerstone of financial safety. Two of the most powerful tools at your disposal are the fraud alert and the credit freeze. While they sound similar, they function quite differently. Understanding which one to use—and when—can save you from the headache of identity theft without unnecessarily complicating your financial life. ...

Fraud Alerts vs. Credit Freezes: Which One Actually Protects You? In an age of frequent data breaches, protecting your credit from identity thieves isn’t just prudent—it’s essential. Luckily, federal law provides you with two powerful, free tools to guard your financial identity: the fraud alert and the credit freeze. While they sound similar, they work very differently. Choosing the right one depends on your specific situation and how you balance protection with convenience. ...

Fraud Alert vs. Credit Freeze: Which One Actually Protects Your Credit? Worrying about identity theft has become a standard part of modern financial life. Whether you’ve received a data breach notice or just want to be proactive, locking down your credit is a smart move. But the terminology can be confusing. Two of the most common tools—fraud alerts and credit freezes—sound similar but work very differently. Choosing the right one depends on your situation. ...

Your Action Guide for National Consumer Protection Week 2026 National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2026 is here, running from March 1-7. Led by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this week is a dedicated push to empower you with the knowledge to spot, avoid, and report scams. Each year, fraudsters refine their tactics, making consumer vigilance more critical than ever. This guide cuts through the noise with direct, actionable advice based on the FTC’s consumer resources, helping you secure your finances and personal information. ...