FLORIDA – The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is warning drivers about a recent text message scam claiming the recipient has an unpaid traffic ticket.
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The scam also threatens to suspend their driver’s license and vehicle registration if a payment isn’t made through a fraudulent link.
FLHSMV said it will never contact Floridians through a text message demanding payment or threatening suspension or arrest.
Antonio Rhodes is a fisherman who is gifted with the rod and reel, but he’s not getting hooked on any scams.
He said he got the scam texts saying that if he didn’t pay up, he would feel the full weight of Florida law.
“I got two of them and immediately knew they were a scam,” Rhodes said. “That’s when I sent you an email, or I sent the news station the email so we could get the word out and people won’t get taken.”
Another woman in a car said she’s gotten a few texts before.
David Thomas said he knew it was a scam because the DMV doesn’t send you a text message.
“Typically, I get the messages from some past or DMV saying I owe a past fine or a past toll, which we know they’re never gonna send you a text message,” Thomas said. “It’s kind of an option at the bottom where you report messages. Now it actually reports it, deletes it from your text message. That’s the big thing. Remember, don’t hit any of the links. Definitely not a good idea!”
Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney gave some tips to avoid being scammed.
“Don’t use the address that’s given to you in a text or an email. Go to them, reach out to them by way of a customer service phone number and have a conversation with them. Always be cautious about replying to these things,” Hackney said.
If you see any suspicious message, do not click any links, do not share personal or financial information, and report it to your local law enforcement agency immediately.
