Missourians Warned About Fake Traffic Ticket Text Scam

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - Missourians are being warned to watch out for fraudulent text messages claiming they owe money for an outstanding traffic ticket.

State officials say the scam is designed to pressure people into clicking on a suspicious link, which could potentially infect their device with viruses, malware, or other harmful software.

Missouri Department of Revenue Director Trish Vincent says messages like these are not how government agencies conduct official business. Vincent is urging residents to be cautious and avoid interacting with any unexpected text that demands payment or personal information.

Officials say scammers often try to make their messages appear urgent in order to scare people into acting quickly before thinking twice. In many cases, the text may include a link that appears official but could lead to a fake website or malicious download.

Anyone who receives one of the suspicious text messages is encouraged to report it to local law enforcement and avoid clicking on any links contained in the message.

State officials say the scam is not limited to Missouri and similar fake ticket text messages have also been reported in other states.

Residents are reminded to verify any claims about fines, tickets, or payments directly through official government websites or by contacting the appropriate agency.