Residents of Tennessee are being warned by the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) about a new fraudulent scheme that involves deceptive text messages. These messages, which appear to originate from the Tennessee Department of Vehicles (DMV), claim that the recipient has outstanding traffic ticket fees. The alarming content of these messages threatens to revoke the recipient’s driver’s license and vehicle registration if payment is not made promptly.
In some instances, these scam communications include links that direct users to a counterfeit website designed to closely resemble the official TDOSHS site. It is important to note that neither the THP nor the TDOSHS is associated with these messages, which are part of a broader trend of fraudulent attempts to deceive Tennessee residents. This particular scam regarding unpaid traffic tickets is similar to a recent wave of scams involving unpaid tolls and other misleading messages that have gained traction across the country.
To safeguard themselves, the TDOSHS advises Tennesseans to keep several key points in mind. First and foremost, the TDOSHS does not send text messages regarding overdue traffic fines, fees, or potential license suspensions. Individuals should refrain from clicking on any links or responding to unexpected text messages, as scammers often rely on urgency to provoke a quick reaction. It is crucial to verify any contact through official channels rather than using information provided in suspicious messages.
Additionally, recipients should carefully examine the email addresses from which messages are sent. Official communications from the Tennessee State Government will always end with “@tn.gov,” while emails from services like Gmail, Hotmail, or iCloud are not legitimate. If you receive a scam text message, it is advisable to report and delete it. Users can utilize their phone’s “report junk” feature to flag the message, block the sender’s number, and subsequently remove the message from their device. Furthermore, scams and suspicious communications can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission.
For those who may have fallen victim to this scam, it is recommended to report the incident at www.ic3.gov/. To learn more about common scams and effective ways to protect oneself, individuals can visit the Tennessee Office of the Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs at www.tn.gov/consumer.