Phishy Parking Panic: Scam Texts Hit US Cities with $35 Daily “Fines”
Mobile phishing scam texts are targeting US city residents, pretending to be from parking violation departments. These messages threaten unpaid fines with $35 daily charges. Cities are warning residents to avoid clicking links and protect their personal data. Remember: if you receive an unexpected parking penalty text, it’s likely a scam!
Hot Take:
Parking tickets are as American as apple pie and baseball, but when your inbox becomes a virtual parking lot full of phishing attempts, it’s time to hit the brakes! While most of us can’t parallel park to save our lives, these scammers have perfected the art of parking their cunning schemes right in our inboxes. Keep your eyes peeled and your wallets safe, because these parking phishers are taking drivers on a wild ride without ever leaving the curb!
Key Points:
- Phishing texts claim to be from city parking violation departments, threatening a $35 daily fine.
- Messages prompt recipients to click a link, redirecting to a city-specific phishing site.
- The scam exploits Google’s open redirect feature, bypassing Apple’s security measures.
- Phishing sites mimic official city finance departments to steal personal and financial data.
- Scams are widespread, with warnings from cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco.