BBB: Scam texts target Tennessee drivers with fake traffic ticket demands
TENNESSEE — Scam texts claiming drivers owe money for traffic tickets are circulating in Tennessee, officials warn.
The messages use phrases like “final notice” and threaten license or registration suspension and legal action. They include a link that appears official but is not a real tn.gov site.
State agencies say they do not text demands for payment. Daniel Irwin with the Better Business Bureau said the messages have telltale signs of fraud.
“Another telltale sign of this message is how long it is and all the steps it wants you to take,” Irwin said. “Some of the messages going around tell you to reply ‘y’ to activate the link, and it’s got a long list of things it wants you to do. That’s not a legitimate form of communication. If the state was going to send a text message, which they’re not going to, they certainly wouldn’t have a bunch of confusing steps.”
Officials advise anyone who receives one of these messages not to click or reply. Instead, delete the message and report it to the BBB scam tracker.
Drivers concerned about a real ticket should go directly to tn.gov or call the agency.
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