#OnlineSafety | AM 1180 Radio

March 6, 2026

Georgia DDS Warns of Phishing Scam Using Fake Texts About Tickets and License Suspensions

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ConsumerAlert, #CyberSecurity, #DontClickLinks, #FloydCounty, #FraudPrevention, #GeorgiaDDS, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfDriverServices, #georgianews, #IdentityTheft, #northwestgeorgianews, #OnlineSafety, #PhishingScam, #ProtectYourInfo, #PublicSafety, #RomeGA, #ScamAlert, #summervillega, #TextScam, #wzqznews 0

The Georgia Department of Driver Services is warning residents about a phishing scam involving fake text messages that claim to be from state agencies. Officials say the messages may demand payment for tickets or threaten driver’s license suspension, but DDS says these texts are not legitimate and are designed to steal personal information. DDS officials stress they will never contact people by text message asking for payment or sensitive details, and residents should avoid clicking any links and instead verify license status directly at the official site: dds.drives.ga.gov.

February 18, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

North Georgia EMC Warns of Scam Messages Claiming Rolling Blackouts

Local News, Local News Items #ConsumerAlert, #CyberSecurity, #DoNotClickLinks, #EmailScam, #FakeUtilityNotice, #FraudAlert, #georgianews, #HighUsageScam, #NorthGeorgiaEMC, #OnlineSafety, #PaymentDemandScam, #PhishingScam, #ProtectYourInfo, #RollingBlackoutScam, #ScamWarning, #SoutheastNews, #TextMessageScam, #TVAScamAlert, #UtilityScam, #wzqznews 0

Sample Image

North Georgia EMC is warning members about scam emails and messages circulating across the Southeast that falsely claim the TVA is preparing for rolling blackouts and urge recipients to click a link for more information.

The utility says these messages are not legitimate and are designed to steal money and/or install viruses on your device, and they are not coming from TVA or any power provider.

Officials say another related scam involves messages claiming a customer has unusually high power usage and demanding immediate payment. North Georgia EMC stresses those messages are also fake and warns members not to click any links, share personal information, or respond to threatening payment demands.

If you receive a suspicious message, delete it and contact your utility directly using an official phone number or website.

February 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Sheriff Schrader Warns Parents After Girls Allegedly Abducted by Online Contact, Suspect Arrested in Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChildSafety, #CommunitySafety, #GeorgiaLawEnforcement, #InternetSafety, #northwestgeorgia, #OnlineSafety, #ParentAlert, #ProtectOurKids, #Roblox, #SheriffMarkSchrader, #Snapchat, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader is urging parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity after sharing a report about two Florida girls who were allegedly abducted by a man they had been communicating with for months through popular apps.

February 11, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Romance Scams Spike Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Authorities Warn Georgians to Stay Alert

Local News, Local News Items #ConsumerAlert, #FraudAwareness, #OnlineSafety, #PublicSafety, #RomanceScams, #ScamAlert, #ValentinesDay, #wzqznews, #WZQZRadio 0

As Valentine’s Day approaches, law enforcement agencies and consumer protection groups are warning residents to be on the lookout for romance scams, which tend to increase during the weeks leading up to the holiday. Scammers often target individuals through social media, dating apps, and messaging platforms, using fake profiles and emotional manipulation to build trust before asking for money.

February 5, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Man Reports Fake Check Scam to Summerville Police

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ConsumerAwareness, #FakeCheckScam, #FraudPrevention, #northwestgeorgia, #OnlineSafety, #PublicSafety, #ScamAlert, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

A recent incident report in Summerville is serving as a reminder of how convincing “product tester” scams can look—and how quickly they can turn into a financial loss if someone deposits a counterfeit check.

December 29, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

Debit Card Scams on the Rise: How Northwest Georgia Shoppers Can Protect Their Money

Local News, Local News Items #ConsumerProtection, #CyberSafety, #DebitCardFraud, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #OnlineSafety, #Phishing, #ScamAlert, #SkimmerAlert, #WZQZ 0

Sample Image

Debit card scams continue to target consumers across Northwest Georgia, often leaving victims with money missing from their checking accounts and limited time to stop further charges. Scammers commonly use tactics like card skimmers at gas pumps and ATMs, “phishing” texts or emails pretending to be your bank, and fake online purchases designed to capture card numbers and PINs.