With millions of Americans expected to hit the road for Memorial Day getaways, U.S. highway and traffic safety regulators are warning drivers to be on the lookout for fake traffic ticket scams.
This year, 39.1 million people are projected to travel by car over the Memorial Day weekend, which would be up from the 39 million Americans who took holiday road trips last May, according to AAA.
“Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and for most Americans, it’s a three-day weekend,” Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. “Travel demand remains strong, and despite higher fuel prices, many people are prioritizing leisure travel during holiday breaks.”
With the expected increase in car travel for the upcoming holiday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning drivers to watch out for electronic scams involving text messages or emails claiming to contain information about traffic violations.
“NHTSA does not issue traffic tickets and will never text, call, or email any member of the public regarding any traffic violation,” the agency said in a statement. “Traffic violations are issued by state and local governments and law enforcement agencies. NHTSA is the federal vehicle safety regulator and does not issue any traffic fines to drivers.”
How to Spot Traffic Ticket Scams
According to NHTSA, “government imposter scams often use fear and pressure to force you into acting quickly.” The agency recommended looking out for the following potential red flags:
- Demand for specific, non-traditional payment methods: “Governments will not demand that you pay via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or digital payment apps,” NHTSA said.
- Use of threats: “Scammers may threaten you with arrest, the immediate suspension of your driver’s license, hefty fines, or referring a case to debt collectors,” the agency said.
- Asks for personal info: “NHTSA does not call or text anyone to ask for Social Security numbers, bank account details, or credit card numbers,” the agency said.
What to Do If You Suspect a Traffic Ticket Scam
NHTSA said Americans should take the following steps if they suspect a message they receive is a traffic ticket scam:
- Hang up or delete: “If you receive a suspicious call or text, do not engage. Hang up immediately or delete the message. Do not click on any links provided in a text or email,” the agency said.
- Verify the source: “If you are concerned about a vehicle issue, check for official information yourself,” NHTSA said. “Visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls to check for safety recalls using your VIN or license plate or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.”
- Report the fraud: “If you have been contacted by someone pretending to be from NHTSA, report it to your local police, your state’s consumer protection office, and the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov,” the agency said.
Reporting by Keith Laing, USA TODAY / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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