Avoid the fake NY City Pay scam text pretending to be NYC CityPay telling users to visit nycitypay.com. A WHOIS search for the domain displayed the website was created on June 27, 2024. Scammers were sending the text on the same day. People are searching on Google for the following terms: ny city pay, nyc city pay, nyc citypay, nycitypay, nycitypay scam, nyc citypay text, nycitypay.com, new york citypay and ny city pay scam. The scam text reads, "New York Citypay, our records indicate that your vehicle has an unpaid parking invoice. To avoid additional charges of $25.00, please settle your balance of $2.50 at nycitypay.com." However, scammers sent this text. The fact is NYC CityPay will never text you about a violation. I used Google Gemini to write the rest of this description.
Hey everyone, have you been getting text messages from "New York Citypay" claiming you have an unpaid parking ticket? Be warned, it's a scam!
Scammers are on the prowl, preying on unsuspecting New Yorkers. These texts try to scare you into paying a fake parking violation by claiming a small penalty ($2.50) will balloon to a whopping $25 if not settled immediately. They then direct you to a phony website (nycitypay.com - created just yesterday, June 27th, 2024!) to "settle your balance." Don't fall for it!
Here's why this is a scam:
- NYC CityPay doesn't send text messages: The real NYC CityPay communicates through official mail or their secure online portal. They will never text you about a parking violation.
- Suspicious timing: The website and scam texts appeared on the same day? Huge red flag! Scammers often try to capitalize on current events or confusion to trick people.
- Generic message: The text doesn't mention your license plate, location, or any specifics about the alleged violation. It's a one-size-fits-all scam designed to cast a wide net.
What to do if you receive the text:
- Do not click on any links! This could download malware or take you to a phishing site designed to steal your personal information.
- Do not respond. Engaging with the scammers can confirm your phone number as a valid target.
- Report the scam! Forward the text message to [email address removed] to help authorities track down the culprits.
How to check for real parking violations:
- Head to the official NYC Department of Finance website (www.nyc.gov/site/finance/pay-...) or call 311 for assistance.
- You can also check your mail for official notices regarding parking violations.
Stay vigilant! By spreading awareness and following these tips, we can protect ourselves and our fellow New Yorkers from these scams.
Additional Tips:
- Consider enabling spam filters on your phone to help catch similar messages in the future.
- Be cautious of unsolicited texts, especially those claiming urgency or financial penalties.
- If unsure about a message, always verify its legitimacy with the official source before taking any action.
Also, please share this video with your friends and family to help spread awareness! Leave a comment below if you've encountered similar scams.
Remember, knowledge is power! By staying informed, we can protect ourselves and fight back against scammers.
Note: I also asked the Google Gemini AI tool to write most of this description. If scammers are using AI to scam people, I'm going to use it only here on my KZread channel to help get the word out about scams.