Traffic Ticket Scam Text Messages

Identifing the Scam

Scammers use specific tactics to create a sense of urgency and trick you into clicking malicious links by:

• Urgent & Threatening Tone: The message often claims it is a "Final Notice" and threatens immediate consequences such as:
  • Driver's license suspension for 30 days.
  • Vehicle registration suspension.
  • Credit score damage or referral to collection agencies.
  • A 35% service fee for late payment.
• Suspicious Links or QR Codes: Legitimate agencies provide official .gov websites for payments. Scam texts use unofficial URLs (e.g., ending in .icu, .top, or .com) or QR codes to lead you to phishing sites.
• Generic or Incorrect Information:
  • Names: Many scams use generic names like "Judge John Smith".
  • Agencies: They may use fake entity names like the "Department of Vehicles" (instead of the DMV) or claim you owe tolls in states that don't have toll roads, like Hawaii.
  • Errors: Look for bad grammar, misspelt words (e.g., "penalty"), and blurred or incorrect official seals.
• Unknown Numbers: Messages often come from random or international phone numbers (e.g., country code +63 or +212).

What You Should Do

1. Do NOT Click or Reply: Avoid clicking any links, scanning QR codes, or replying to the message, as this can lead to identity theft or malware installation.
2. Verify Independently: If you think you might actually have a ticket, go directly to the official government website (ending in .gov) or call the court or DMV using a verified phone number.
3. Report the Message:
   • Carrier: Forward the scam text to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your mobile provider.
   • FTC: Report the fraud at the FTC Report Fraud website.
   • FBI: Submit a complaint to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
4. Delete and Block: After reporting, delete the message and block the sender's number.