New Parking Violation Scam Targets Drivers: How to Spot and Avoid It If you park in a paid lot or street space and later receive a text message demanding immediate payment for a parking violation, do not tap the link. That message is almost certainly a phishing attempt, and it is part of an active scam that state authorities in North Carolina have been warning about since late March 2026. ...
Top Scam Trends from the FTC’s 2026 Consumer Protection Webinar – And How to Stay Safe Every March, the Federal Trade Commission uses National Consumer Protection Week to highlight the most pressing fraud threats facing Americans. This year, the FTC’s webinar, held in early March 2026 and reported by ACA International, pointed to several scam categories that are growing in both frequency and sophistication. If you’re trying to keep your money and personal data safe, understanding these trends is a practical first step. ...
Don’t Get Fooled by a Gift Card Demand: What an Attorney General’s Warning Means for You If someone urgently demands payment via a gift card, it’s almost certainly a scam. This isn’t just a hunch—it’s a consistent warning from law enforcement. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a direct alert to District of Columbia residents, highlighting the persistent threat of gift card scams. These frauds continue to trap people across the country, exploiting trust and urgency to steal millions. Understanding how these scams work is your first and best defense. ...
The FTC’s Latest Warning: How to Spot Today’s Top Scams The world of scams never sleeps, and keeping up with the latest tricks can feel like a full-time job. To mark National Consumer Protection Week in March 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a webinar to cut through the noise. Their goal was straightforward: to highlight the most pervasive and damaging scam trends currently threatening people’s wallets and personal information. While new variations emerge constantly, the FTC’s insights provide a clear picture of what you should be watching for right now. ...
A New Wave of Fake Parking Tickets: How to Protect Yourself If you receive a sudden text or email about an unpaid parking ticket, take a deep breath before you react. The North Carolina Department of Justice has issued a consumer alert warning drivers about a sophisticated new scam. Criminals are sending fraudulent parking violation notices, hoping to panic you into handing over money and personal information. ...
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. ...
The Scams Changing Fast: What the FTC Wants You to Watch For Every March, National Consumer Protection Week serves as a crucial reminder to review our defenses against fraud. This year, a key event was a public webinar hosted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which pulled back the curtain on the scams that are currently tricking the most people. The insights shared weren’t just statistics; they were a clear guide to the specific traps being set today. ...
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. ...
What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Every day, it seems scammers come up with a new story to separate us from our money or personal information. Staying ahead of these threats can feel like a full-time job. That’s why the recent insights from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), shared during National Consumer Protection Week, are so valuable. They cut through the noise and highlight exactly what fraudsters are doing right now. ...
How to Spot and Stop a Gift Card Scam A family member texts you in a panic: they’ve been in a minor car accident and need money for the deductible right now. They ask you to buy several hundred dollars worth of gift cards and send the codes immediately. You want to help, so you rush to the store. ...