Category: Community Alerts and Safety

Communities are seeing a rise in card skimming and shimming devices placed on ATMs, gas pumps, parking meters, and self-checkout kiosks. These devices are designed to steal card information when you swipe or insert your card. Some are external overlays that fit over the card slot, while others are internal “shimmers” that are nearly invisible […]

Following natural disasters, emergencies, and major community crises, fraudulent charity campaigns often emerge within hours. Scammers create fake donation pages, impersonate legitimate nonprofits, and spread emotional appeals through social media, text messages, and email. These scams exploit generosity during moments when communities are most eager to help. Fraudsters frequently use stolen photos, copied logos, and […]

Many communities are reporting an increase in street racing, stunt driving, and reckless speeding, particularly during late-night hours and weekends. These activities often occur on wide streets, industrial zones, highways, and even residential areas where drivers exploit low traffic and open road conditions. Street racing is not just a nuisance — it poses serious risks […]

Communities across the country are reporting a rise in utility imposter scams, where individuals pose as employees from electric, gas, water, cable, or internet companies to gain access to homes. These scammers often wear high-visibility vests, carry clipboards, or display fake badges to appear legitimate. They may claim they need to check meters, inspect wiring, […]

Communities nationwide are seeing a rise in porch piracy – the theft of packages left unattended at homes and apartment buildings. With online shopping continuing to grow and delivery frequency increasing, more packages are being left at doorsteps for extended periods, especially during holidays, sales events, and high-demand shipping seasons. Thieves often follow delivery vehicles, […]

Law enforcement agencies are reporting a rise in AI-generated voice cloning scams, where criminals use artificial intelligence to mimic the voice of a loved one. Victims receive urgent phone calls claiming a family member has been in an accident, arrested, kidnapped, or stranded and needs immediate financial help. The voice sounds real, emotional, and convincing […]

Fire departments across the country are reporting a sharp increase in lithium-ion battery fires, particularly involving e-bikes, electric scooters, hoverboards, power banks, and aftermarket replacement batteries. These fires can ignite suddenly, burn extremely hot, and spread rapidly — sometimes within seconds — making them especially dangerous inside homes and apartment buildings. Unlike traditional fires, lithium-ion […]

Communities across the country are experiencing a rise in flash flood warnings due to heavier rainfall, overwhelmed drainage systems, and sudden storms. Unlike slow-moving floods, flash floods can form within minutes, turning streets, underpasses, and familiar routes into dangerous conditions with little visible warning. Many flood-related injuries and deaths occur when drivers or pedestrians underestimate […]

Many people are unknowingly losing money each month to forgotten subscriptions-apps, streaming services, trials, and AI tools that quietly renew. A simple life hack: set a quarterly reminder to review and cancel anything you haven’t used recently. This takes minutes and can instantly reduce monthly expenses. Why this works: Subscriptions are designed to be easy […]

Scammers are sending messages that claim your bank, payment app, email, or delivery account has been locked due to “suspicious activity.” These messages push urgency and include links that lead to fake login pages designed to steal credentials. A key red flag: legitimate companies do not ask you to verify accounts through random links or […]