2 days ago
Ignore texts from Kentucky DMV scammers, experts advise
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — A shady text claiming to be from the Kentucky State Department of Motor Vehicles is making rounds all over the state.
It can take just one text for the scammer to get the info they're looking for.
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A particular text going around threatens to suspend vehicle registration, legal disputes, and damage your credit score on account of unpaid traffic tickets. Allen Blair is the spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Transportation. He urges everyone not to panic and click links when they get these texts.
'Keep in mind, the transportation cabinet doesn't collect fees for traffic tickets or assess traffic tickets. If you get anything about traffic tickets or tolls from the DMV, that isn't us. It's a scam,' Blair said.
The Kentucky Department of Transportation has been working to break these links, and it looks like they've had success with it. Still, your best bet is to toss these texts.
'We've heard from people who contact us and say either the link is broken or it's not working. We're hopeful that our efforts to report these links and get these websites shut down is working,' Blair said.
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Gary Adkins is the state president of AARP Kentucky, an organization focusing on issues related to Medicare, health care, economic security, work, and independent living. Because of this, Adkins said he's seen a lot of similar scams with the same goal of taking personal information or finances.
'Scams are very underreported in the United States. Last year, it's believed that Americans lost over $47 billion to identity fraud and scams,' Adkins said.
These texts can range from scary to annoying, but not entertaining the scammers is the best way to deal with them.
'Knowledge gives you power over these types of scams. If nobody is biting on it, then they'll move on to some other type of scam,' Adkins said.
'Just ignore it, report it, and delete it from your phone and protect yourself,' Blair added.
While these messages are safe to ignore, you can report them here.
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