Scammers targeting Georgia drivers with fake ticket text messages

Scammers sending fake ticket texts to Georgians

Scammers are targeting Georgia drivers using threats sent straight to their cell phones about phony traffic tickets.

Scammers are targeting Georgia drivers using threatening text messages, and officials want to make sure you don't get fooled.

The Georgia Department of Driver Services is sending out a warning to watch out for a new text message scam attempting to steal money and personal information.

What we know:

The agency posted the warning on its Facebook page, saying that they've received reports of the new scam that could be popping up in your messages.

The texts look like a message from the "Georgia State Department of Motor Vehicles," saying that the recipient has an outstanding traffic ticket that needs to be paid immediately.

If you don't pay, the scammers allege, you could have your license suspended or be prosecuted.

The texts usually come with a link to a fraudulent website that scammers can use to take your information - including driver's license details.

What they're saying:

 "DDS employees do not contact customers to ask for payment or other confidential information. Anyone who receives such communication should consider it a scam. Customers who are pending a license suspension or other changes in their license status are notified in writing by DDS," DDS Commissioner Angelique B. McClendon said in a statement. "Anyone who receives these — or similar — text messages should not open or respond to them and instead delete such messages immediately."

Dig deeper:

Officials say a red flag to be on the lookout for is a reference to a "Department of Motor Vehicles."

That agency does not exist in Georgia. Instead, the Peach State has a Department of Driver Services.

What you can do:

If you are ever unsure if a message is real or not, you can reach out to your local law enforcement department for guidance.

If you want to check possible outstanding tickets or your license status, you can go directly to the official site at https://dds.georgia.gov.