(UNITED STATES) - Drivers are being warned about a fake AAA email that falsely claims a new federal vehicle safety requirement is about to take effect.
Cybersecurity experts say the email is a phishing scam designed to look like an official safety notice.
The message claims drivers will be required to carry a certified emergency rescue tool in their vehicles starting July 1, 2026. It also warns of possible fines for noncompliance and urges recipients to act quickly.
Experts say the email does not direct users to an official AAA website. Instead, it includes a shared link that could expose personal information.
Other warning signs include a sender address that does not match AAA's official domain, urgent language, informal wording and claims about federal safety standards that do not match the described requirement.
AAA says it did not send the emails and warns they could potentially be malicious.
Drivers are urged not to click suspicious links in unexpected emails. Anyone who receives a questionable message should verify it directly through AAA's official website or member services channels.
Security experts also recommend checking sender email addresses, avoiding embedded links in unsolicited emails and being cautious of messages that demand immediate action or personal information.