Local law enforcement warning residents about new text message scam

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Middle Georgians, beware! There is a new

text message scam targeting drivers.

Monroe County Sheriff Brad Freeman warns criminals are using deceptive tactics to steal your money and personal information.

According to Sheriff Freeman, the text messages come from the “Georgia State Department of Motor Vehicles” which he says doesn’t exists, claiming the recipient has an outstanding traffic ticket and


instructs them to purchase gift cards as a form of payment. The fraudulent messages warn individuals that failure to pay the “outstanding traffic ticket” will result in their driver’s license being suspended.

“I haven’t met the first judge in Georgia that wants a gift card or cryptocurrency,” Sheriff Freeman stated.

He emphasized legitimate payments for tickets would require cash, cashier’s checks, or money orders made out to the clerk of the court, not gift cards from store chains.

“They are making money and these criminals; their goal is to separate you from your money. And if they’re successful in one scam, they’ll try another scam or they’ll keep going with the same scam. As long as it keeps working for them,” he said.

The Sheriff advises anyone who receives such a message, to avoid clicking on any links or contacting the phone numbers included in the text. Instead, he says if you suspect you have an actual citation, contact the agency that issued the citation or check their status through the

.

Sheriff Freeman also urges anyone who encounters this scam, contact their local law enforcement agencies for any questions.