Nashville, TN – Tennessee authorities are warning residents about an uptick in scam text messages impersonating state agencies, urging recipients to report any fraudulent activity immediately.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, multiple individuals have reported receiving scam texts falsely claiming to be from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These texts allege the recipient has overdue traffic fines or license suspensions and instruct them to make immediate payments or risk penalties. Authorities emphasized that the Department of Safety & Homeland Security will never send messages about overdue traffic fines, fees, or license suspensions via text.
Officials are urging anyone who receives such messages to avoid clicking on any links, refrain from sending any payments, and to delete and report the scam. The Highway Patrol advises victims or targets of these scams to file a report through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, which serves as the FBI’s central hub for cyber-enabled crime investigations.
State officials remind residents to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with unsolicited messages, especially those requesting sensitive information or payment. For additional resources and to learn more about common scams, residents are encouraged to visit the Tennessee Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs at www.tn.gov/consumer.
Tennessee authorities stress that staying informed and reporting fraudulent activity are essential steps in protecting oneself and the broader community from cybercrime.
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