Cities alert residents about phishing parking violation texts

US cities are alerting residents about a surge in phishing texts that falsely claim to be from parking violation departments. These messages threaten additional daily fines for unpaid parking invoices and prompt users to click on malicious links. The phishing campaign, which began in December, has affected cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco. The texts often use a familiar template, directing recipients to a fake website that mimics official city departments. Scammers exploit a Google.com redirect to bypass security features in text messages. Clicking the link leads to a site asking for personal information, which can be used for identity theft and fraud. Residents are advised to block and report suspicious messages.