Annapolis, MD – Maryland authorities are warning residents about a growing scam involving fraudulent text messages that falsely claim recipients have outstanding traffic fines for parking violations.
According to alerts issued by both the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MD MVA) and the Maryland State Police, scammers are impersonating official agencies and sending texts that mention supposed citations for illegal parking, complete with links that prompt users to pay or respond. These messages often appear to come from random or unfamiliar numbers and include language pressuring immediate action.
On Tuesday, the MD MVA urged residents through social media to delete any suspicious messages immediately. They also encouraged reporting such incidents to the Federal Trade Commission via reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Maryland State Police echoed the warning in a Facebook post, stating the MVA does not contact customers through unsolicited texts, especially regarding fines or legal notices. Their post included a sample scam message and a bold red “SPAM” warning, advising residents not to click any links or share personal information.
“This type of scam is designed to frighten recipients into reacting quickly,” officials said. “Always verify suspicious messages through official channels.”
State officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and share the warning with friends and family to prevent potential financial loss or identity theft.
The public is reminded to never respond to or engage with unsolicited messages and to contact the MD MVA directly if there is any uncertainty about the legitimacy of communications.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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