Kentuckians Warned of Continued Text Message Scam Posing as State Agency

The scam messages warn customers of unpaid traffic tickets.

(Frankfort, Ky.) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) warns Kentuckians of continuous reports of fraudulent text messages received by residents impersonating the state agency, its Office of Highway Safety, and driver licensing offices which feature a suspicious link similar to Kentucky government website addresses.

The scam messages warn customers of unpaid traffic tickets or "traffic infractions" and say that a "payment is due" and that "actions will be taken" if not resolved. 

Kentuckians should not click on any links in or respond to the scam messages. We are taking appropriate steps to request to have the fraudulent websites taken down. Please follow the tips and recommendations below to avoid disclosing sensitive information to scammers. 

Tips to Spot a Scam Text

• KYTC does not collect traffic ticket fees or notify customers of violations using text messages.
• We do not refer to ourselves as 'KDOT' or a 'DMV' in official communications. Be cautious of messages using these terms - they are not from us.
• Our official website for motor vehicle and driver services is drive.ky.gov. Beware of fraudulent websites that mimic this address, or include the word "pay" - scammers often add subtle changes, like a hyphen, to trick you.

Steps If You Receive a Fraudulent Text

• Do not click the link.
• When in doubt, reach out to the agency to confirm authenticity before taking any action.
• If you have provided any personal information, contact your bank immediately.
• You can also report this to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, or to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, or visit the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General website, ag.ky.gov, to follow their guidance concerning potential identity theft.
• Forward the suspicious message to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your mobile provider as well.

You can also visit stopscams.ky.gov to stay up-to-date on ways to report and spot scams.