Nashville, Tennessee – Drivers across Tennessee are being urged to delete suspicious text messages immediately as a new scam falsely demands urgent payment for traffic fines and threatens license suspension.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, these fraudulent messages are circulating statewide and are not legitimate government communications. Officials stress that the state will never send text messages demanding payment for fines, fees, or license issues.
The scam messages often create urgency by listing deadlines and warning of penalties such as increased insurance rates or suspended licenses. Some include links designed to steal personal or financial information. Authorities warn that clicking these links could expose sensitive data or lead to financial loss.
Residents in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga have all been identified as potential targets as the messages spread rapidly. Law enforcement advises anyone receiving these texts to avoid clicking links, not send payments, and delete the message immediately.
Victims or those who interacted with the scam are encouraged to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Officials say alerts will continue as needed while the scam remains active.
