"Unpaid traffic ticket" scam

[Sunny]

I got one today. It says I have an outstanding ticket, and if they don't receive payment by today, I could lose my license, registration, etc. I nearly fell for it, because I did get a ticket (for speeding 11 miles over the limit, and the amount they allow is 10 miles over - thank you, roadside cameras) and my payment is not due for another two weeks. Fortunately, my inner alarm bell went off, and I didn't click on anything.

Then I googled it, and sure enough, that scam is making the rounds all over the place. So be very cautious about so-called traffic ticket warnings. Real tickets, etc. send notifications by regular mail, not text and I think not by email either.

 

[robin416]

I've been getting those for a while now. Fun thing is, my cell phone number is from a area code I haven't lived in for years. So, I know immediately it's a scam.

 

[Jeni]

The texts come in waves. and they try again and again
they are insane the lengths they go but somehow someway somebody fell for it.
in my area the scammers do not use the right domain, instead of .gov email it is yahoo or gmail. They assume your driver's license is tied to toll charges it is laughable.

My only pet peeve is when I mark as spam and yet next day there it is again.

 

[robin416]

I've been getting a ton of VM's offering me massive loans.

 

[hollydolly]

The texts come in waves. and they try again and again
they are insane the lengths they go but somehow someway somebody fell for it.
in my area the scammers do not use the right domain, instead of .gov email it is yahoo or gmail. They assume your driver's license is tied to toll charges it is laughable.

My only pet peeve is when I mark as spam and yet next day there it is again.

You need to use Block instead !

 

[Jeni]

You need to use Block instead !

the block thing did not work when they send this to multiple phone #'S last time I tried.

 

[robin416]

You need to use Block instead !

Block only works after you receive the text. Even my spam block for calling doesn't work since they found a work around by leaving a VM.

 

[seadoug]

I frequently receive texts claiming I have unpaid tolls. I have a Toll Tag and can look up my activity and balance at any given time. How stupid do they think we are?

I'm also receiving emails that claim I have unpaid invoices. I know what invoices are outstanding. None. Thankfully, they go to Spam.

 

[Jeni]

I frequently receive texts claiming I have unpaid tolls. I have a Toll Tag and can look up my activity and balance at any given time. How stupid do they think we are?

I'm also receiving emails that claim I have unpaid invoices. I know what invoices are outstanding. None. Thankfully, they go to Spam.

Sadly, these scammers think we are all stupid or not paying attention.
Not sure what their percentage of people who actually fall for these, but I am assuming it has worked in past so that is why it keeps happening.