#ConsumerProtection | AM 1180 Radio

July 29, 2026

Georgia Officials Urge Consumers To Watch For Common Scam Warning Signs

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #ConsumerProtection, #CyberSafety, #FraudPrevention, #GeorgiaAttorneyGeneral, #GeorgiaConsumers, #IdentityTheft, #ScamAlert, #StayAlert, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

The Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division is reminding Georgians to stay alert for common warning signs that often indicate a scam. Officials say scammers constantly adapt their tactics, but many fraud attempts share the same red flags.

Among the biggest warning signs are requests to pay money in order to claim a prize or get a job, pressure to act immediately, threats of arrest or claims that a loved one is in danger, and demands to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other difficult-to-trace payment methods. Consumers should also be suspicious of unexpected requests for passwords, PINs, Social Security numbers, bank account information, or other personal financial details. Offers that sound too good to be true usually are.

If you receive a suspicious phone call, email, or text message, officials recommend hanging up or deleting the message without responding or clicking any links. Instead, contact the business or organization directly using a phone number or website you know is legitimate to verify whether the communication is real.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam can file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division online or by calling 404-651-8600 or 800-869-1123.

July 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Power Unveils Customer Protection Pledge As Debate Over Data Centers Continues

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #ConsumerProtection, #DataCenters, #ElectricRates, #Energy, #georgiapower, #georgiapsc, #northwestgeorgia, #Utilities, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Georgia Power has announced a new Customer Protection Pledge, saying it is designed to keep electricity affordable while meeting the state’s rapidly growing demand for power from new industries, including data centers and manufacturers.

July 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia PSC Launches Investigation Into Whether Data Centers Are Shifting Power Costs to Other Customers

Local News, Local News Items #ArtificialIntelligence, #ChattoogaInfo, #ConsumerProtection, #DataCenters, #ElectricBills, #Energy, #georgiapower, #georgiapsc, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicServiceCommission, #smallbusiness, #UtilityRates, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

The Georgia Public Service Commission has voted to move forward with an investigation into whether Georgia Power’s largest electricity customers—including data centers—are paying their fair share of fuel costs or shifting those expenses onto residential and small business customers.

June 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

More Than 120 New Georgia Laws Take Effect Wednesday

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More than 120 new laws passed by the Georgia General Assembly will officially take effect Wednesday, July 1, bringing a wide range of changes that will impact consumers, public safety, agriculture, criminal justice, financial institutions, and businesses across the state.

May 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia’s New Insurance Reform Law Brings Major Changes For Homeowners And Drivers

Local News, Local News Items #AutoInsurance, #ConsumerProtection, #FortifiedHomes, #GeorgiaInsurance, #GeorgiaLaw, #georgiapolitics, #GovernorKemp, #HB1344, #HomeownersInsurance, #InsuranceClaims, #InsuranceFraud, #InsuranceReform, #northwestgeorgianews, #StormDamage, #UninsuredMotorists, #wzqznews 0

A sweeping new insurance reform measure signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp is expected to bring significant changes for Georgia homeowners, drivers and insurance companies.

April 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Savvy Senior Event Coming To Rome Focuses On Financial Wellness And Fraud Prevention

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunityEvent, #ConsumerProtection, #FinancialLiteracy, #FinancialWellness, #floydcountyga, #FraudPrevention, #FreeEvent, #georgianews, #GeorgiaSeniors, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #RetirementPlanning, #RomeEvents, #RomeGA, #SavvySenior, #SeniorResources, #wzqznews 0

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is inviting Northwest Georgia residents to attend an upcoming “Savvy Senior” event designed to help individuals strengthen their financial future and guard against fraud.

April 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Tax Season Scams On The Rise As April 15 Deadline Approaches

Local News, Local News Items #April15, #CommunityAlert, #ConsumerProtection, #FinancialSafety, #FraudPrevention, #georgianews, #IdentityTheft, #IRSScams, #NorthGeorgia, #OnlineSafety, #PersonalFinance, #PhishingScams, #PublicSafety, #ScamAlert, #StayAlert, #TaxDeadline, #TaxScams, #TaxSeason, #wzqznews 0

With the April 15 tax deadline just days away, officials are warning Georgia residents to be on high alert for scams targeting taxpayers during one of the busiest times of the year.

April 1, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Tax Commissioner Warns Residents About DMV Text Scam

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ConsumerProtection, #CyberSafety, #DMVScam, #FraudAlert, #joyhampton, #LocalNews, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #ProtectYourInfo, #PublicSafety, #ScamAlert, #ScamWarning, #StayAlert, #summervillega, #TaxCommissioner, #trionga, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County Tax Commissioner Joy Hampton is warning residents about a scam involving fake notices claiming your vehicle registration is about to be canceled.

The scam message appears to come from a Georgia court and threatens enforcement action over an alleged traffic violation. It often includes a QR code and urges immediate action.

Officials say the notice is fraudulent and designed to scare recipients into responding or providing personal information.

Hampton urges residents to be cautious and look for red flags, including missing personal details like your name, license plate number, or address. She also warns never to scan QR codes or respond to suspicious messages.

If you receive a message like this, do not engage. Instead, report it and verify any concerns directly through official state or county offices.

Authorities remind residents that legitimate government agencies will not request sensitive information through unsolicited messages.

March 5, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia SB 94 Would Restore Consumer Utility Advocate for Rate Cases

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ConsumerProtection, #EnergyCosts, #GASenate, #georgiapolitics, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicServiceCommission, #RateCases, #ResidentialCustomers, #RomeGA, #SB94, #smallbusiness, #StateCapitol, #UtilityBills, #wzqznews 0

A bill advancing at the Georgia Capitol could bring back an independent watchdog for ratepayers as power costs remain a major concern for families and small businesses across Northwest Georgia.

February 27, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Walker County Residents Warned About Jury Duty Phone Scam

Local News, Local News Items #CommunityAlert, #ConsumerProtection, #CourtScam, #CrimePrevention, #FraudAlert, #georgianews, #ImpersonationScam, #JuryDutyScam, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PhoneScam, #PublicSafety, #ScamAlert, #StaySafe, #WalkerCounty, #WalkerCountyGA, #wzqznews 0

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Residents in Walker County are being warned about a phone scam involving callers who falsely claim someone has missed a court date or failed to report for jury duty.