Nashville, TN – A surge of fraudulent text messages is targeting Tennessee residents right now, with scammers posing as state officials and demanding immediate payment for fake traffic violations.
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, these messages falsely claim recipients owe fines or face license suspension, often using urgent language to pressure quick action. Officials stress these texts are not legitimate and are part of an ongoing scam circulating statewide as of Tuesday.
The messages may appear official, referencing court orders or enforcement actions, and often include suspicious links. Authorities warn that clicking these links or submitting payment could expose personal and financial information.
The threat spans major population centers including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, where residents are urged to remain vigilant. State officials emphasize they will never send text messages demanding payment for fines, fees, or license issues.
Anyone who receives one of these messages should not click links, should not respond, and should delete the text immediately. Residents are encouraged to report scam attempts to the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office or through federal reporting systems.
Officials say the scam remains active, and additional alerts could be issued as new variations emerge.
