Bay Area Officials Warn Public of New Traffic Citation Texting Scam.
Bay Area residents are being warned to be vigilant against a new sophisticated scam targeting individuals through text messages, claiming they owe money for traffic citations. The Superior Court of Alameda County has issued a public alert about the fraudulent scheme, urging recipients to ignore the texts and avoid clicking any links provided.
The scam typically involves a text message appearing to be from a legitimate court or law enforcement agency. The message often claims the recipient has an unpaid traffic ticket and threatens legal action, such as a warrant for arrest, if the fine isn’t paid immediately. These texts often include a link to a website that appears official but is actually designed to steal personal and financial information.
How the Scam Works:
- Urgent Text Message: You receive a text message out of the blue, claiming you owe money for a traffic ticket.
- Threat of Action: The message often threatens immediate consequences if you don’t pay, such as a warrant being issued or points being added to your driving record.
- Phishing Link: The text typically includes a link to a fake website that mimics an official court or payment portal.
- Data Theft: The website will ask for personal information, like your name, address, date of birth, driver’s license number, social security number, and credit card details. This information is then used for identity theft and financial fraud.
Protect Yourself from This Scam:
- Never click on links in unsolicited text messages or emails, especially those asking for money or personal information.
- Do not respond to the text message. Replying can confirm to the scammers that your number is active, potentially leading to more spam and scam attempts.
- Contact the relevant court or law enforcement agency directly to verify any claims about outstanding traffic citations. You can find official contact information on the court’s website.
- Be wary of urgent language and threats. Legitimate government agencies rarely demand immediate payment and almost never solicit payment information via text message.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps the FTC track scams and warn others.
- Consider blocking the sender’s number to avoid future contact.
- Educate your friends and family about this scam so they can avoid falling victim.
Key Takeaways:
- Courts and law enforcement agencies rarely communicate about traffic citations or request payments via text message.
- Any text message requesting payment for a traffic citation should be treated with extreme suspicion.
- The best way to protect yourself is to be vigilant and avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information online.
By staying informed and taking these precautions, residents can protect themselves from this increasingly prevalent and sophisticated traffic citation scam. Remember, when in doubt, always verify the information with the official source directly.
