Scam

That Call from the “Government” Demanding Money? It’s a Scam You’re going about your day when the phone rings. The caller ID might even show a somewhat official-looking number. The person on the other end claims to be from a government agency—the utility commission, the IRS, or Social Security. They say you owe money immediately, and if you don’t pay right now, they’ll disconnect your service, suspend your license, or even have you arrested. Your heart races. This feels real, and the pressure is intense. ...

Don’t Tap That Link: How to Spot Fake Amazon Recall Texts You get a sudden text message. It says there’s a critical safety recall for something you recently ordered from Amazon, and you need to act immediately to get a refund or replacement. It looks urgent, maybe even a little scary. Before you click, stop. This is a growing scam designed not to protect you, but to steal your personal and financial information. ...

A New Text Scam Uses Amazon Recalls as Bait—Here’s How to Spot It You receive a text. It says Amazon has issued a critical recall for a product you recently purchased and urges you to click a link to arrange a refund. It seems legitimate, even urgent. But before you tap that link, you need to know this is a widespread and convincing new scam. ...

That Urgent Amazon Recall Text? It’s Probably a Scam If your phone buzzes with a message warning that an Amazon product you bought is being recalled and you must act immediately, your first instinct might be panic. Before you click, take a deep breath. Scammers are aggressively exploiting this fear with a sophisticated text message phishing campaign, impersonating Amazon to steal personal and financial information. ...

Pennsylvania Courts Warn of Fake Texting Scams: What You Need to Know A recent official alert is putting residents across Pennsylvania on high alert. The Philadelphia Courts, alongside other authorities, have issued a statewide consumer fraud warning regarding a surge in fake texting scams. These messages are designed to look legitimate, often spoofing real institutions, to steal personal information or money. Understanding how these scams work is your first line of defense. ...

Court Impersonators Are Sending Fake Texts. Here’s How to Spot the Scam. If you receive an unexpected text message claiming to be from a court, demanding a payment or warning of a warrant, be cautious. You might be the target of a sophisticated scam designed to steal your money and personal information. ...

Pennsylvania Residents Warned of Fake Court Text Scams: What You Need to Know The Philadelphia Courts have issued a formal alert to warn consumers across Pennsylvania about a wave of sophisticated texting scams. Fraudsters are impersonating court officials and sending deceptive text messages, creating confusion and putting personal information at risk. This isn’t an isolated phishing attempt; it’s a coordinated campaign targeting residents statewide. Understanding how these scams work is your first line of defense. ...

That Text About Your Court Date? It Could Be a Scam. If you live in Pennsylvania, you might have seen recent headlines about a statewide alert from the Philadelphia Courts. The warning is stark and important: scammers are flooding phones with deceptive text messages, often impersonating official court entities, to steal personal and financial information. While this alert originates in Pennsylvania, the tactics it highlights are a nationwide problem. Understanding how these “smishing” (SMS phishing) scams work is your first line of defense. ...

A Statewide Alert: How to Spot and Avoid Fake Texting Scams If you’ve recently received a text message demanding urgent action or threatening a missed delivery, you’re not alone. In early March 2026, the Philadelphia Courts issued a formal, statewide consumer fraud alert warning the public about an active wave of fake texting scams. These messages are designed to look legitimate, often impersonating courts, shipping companies, or banks, with the sole purpose of stealing personal and financial information. This guide breaks down the alert into practical steps you can take to protect yourself. ...

A Text Message from the Courts? Why You Should Be Skeptical You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text message appears, claiming to be from a local court or government agency. It might mention a missed jury duty summons, a fine, or a suspicious package. The message urges you to click a link or call a number immediately to resolve an urgent issue. ...