BBB Warns Drivers: Texts Claiming Unpaid Traffic Tickets Are Scams
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Have you gotten a text message recently claiming you owe a traffic ticket? Don’t click the link – it could be a scam.
The Better Business Bureau has received several reports of phishing texts that appear to come from your state’s Department of Revenue, Department of Motor Vehicles, or Department of Transportation.
These fake texts claim you have an outstanding traffic violation and make the issue seem urgent by using phrases like “final notice” or listing a date when “enforcement” will begin. They often threaten penalties such as registration suspension and extra fees if the ticket is not paid quickly via a link in the message.
If you receive a message like this, do not click the link or pay. MoDOT, the Missouri Department of Revenue, and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have all warned that they will never ask consumers to pay tolls or traffic violation fees by text message.
In April, the BBB warned about a similar scam in which people received phishing texts that appeared to be unpaid toll notices from road toll agencies.
For both traffic ticket scams and toll scams, remember: government agencies won’t text you to ask for payment. Even if the message says it’s urgent, always take time to double-check by looking up the agency’s official contact information.
How do you know if a text about a traffic ticket is a scam?
● Check with the actual agency. Government agencies won’t contact you by text message to pay for a traffic violation. Don’t click the link or call the number in the text. Instead, use your web browser to find the agency’s official website and contact them directly.
● Keep track of your tickets. It’s an immediate red flag if you receive a message but know you have no tickets. In Missouri and Illinois, you can search online to check if you have any current violations.
● Watch for warning signs. Unsolicited texts with suspicious links or grammar and spelling errors are red flags. Even personalized messages or legit-looking links can be scams, as scammers are skilled at finding personal information and spoofing websites.
How can you avoid phishing texts?
● Never give out personal information, such as your birthday or Social Security number, in response to a text.
● Don’t click on links or download files unexpectedly texted to you. Scammers often use fake URLs that mimic legitimate websites.
● Block the number and delete the message to reduce future contact attempts.
● Report scam texts to BBB Scam Tracker and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to help protect others.
Don O’Brien is the regional director for the Quincy Better Business Bureau. Contact him at [email protected] or (217) 209-3972.
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