3 days ago
Traffic violation scam alarms Siouxlanders; police issue alert
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — The Sioux City Police Department has issued a scam alert.
According to the Sioux City Police Department, there is a phishing scam going around claiming that victims owe the Iowa DMV money due to a violation.
The scam claims that there is an outstanding traffic ticket that needs to be paid or else your vehicle registration will be suspended, amongst other claims.
The number provided by the SCPD that this text message is coming from is a +63 number and according to the police department, this indicates the text message is coming from the Philippines and not the state of Iowa.
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Along with the scam warning, the police department issued the following tips to avoid being scammed.
Be cautious of unexpected text messages: Don't click on any links or respond to messages from unknown senders.
Never click on links: Avoid clicking on links in text messages, especially if they seem suspicious or ask for personal information.
Verify the sender: If you're unsure about the message's legitimacy, contact the company or organization directly through their official website or phone number.
Block or report suspicious numbers: If you receive a suspicious text message, block the sender and report it to your phone provider or the FTC.
Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication: This can help protect your accounts from unauthorized access.
Stay informed about common scam techniques: Familiarize yourself with the latest phishing tactics to recognize and avoid them.
The Woodbury County Treasurer said they've gotten more than 40 calls from residents concerned about the messages. They're reminding locals that traffic violation payments aren't collected by the DMV or the Treasurer's office, and the messages should be ignored.
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