A recent alert has been issued regarding an increase in fraudulent text messages. These scams involve individuals impersonating the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The deceptive messages falsely inform recipients that they owe unpaid fines, fees, or tolls.
The texts are sent at random with the intention of stealing personal and financial information from unsuspecting individuals. Recipients are advised to take specific actions if they suspect a message is a scam. They should not click on any links provided in the text, nor should they share any personal or payment details. It is recommended to delete such messages immediately.
It is important to note that “the State of North Carolina does not collect payments through unsolicited text messages, instant messages, or emails.”
Those who receive suspicious texts about unpaid fines, fees, or tolls are encouraged to report them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
