MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee agencies are warning citizens about a scam involving text messages about fake traffic fines.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Tennessee Highway Patrol say the new scam involves text messages that allegedly come from the Tennessee Department of Vehicles.

The scam messages reportedly claim that the victim has “outstanding traffic ticket fines.” Tennessee Homeland Security says the scammers threaten that the victim’s vehicle registration and driving privileges will be suspended if the victim does not send a payment.

Tennessee Homeland Security says some of the messages even include a link to a fake website that is designed to look like the official Tennessee Homeland Security website.

Law enforcement agencies across the Mid-South have shared the warning, including the Collierville Police Department and the Dyersburg Police Department.

Tennessee Homeland Security is sharing some tips on how to protect yourself from this scam:

• Know that the TDOSHS does not send text messages about overdue traffic fines, fees, payments, or license suspensions.
• Do not click on any links or respond to unexpected texts. Scammers want you to react quickly.
• Always use a verified phone number or website. Do not use the contact information in a suspicious message.
• Check the end of a suspicious email. Emails from Tennessee State Government end in “@tn.gov.” Messages from Gmail, Hotmail, iCloud, or other providers are not official.
• Report and delete scam text messages. Use your phone’s “report junk” option to report the message, block the number and then delete it. You can also report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission.

Anyone who has been a victim of this scam is asked to report it at this link.