Houston County Sheriff’s Office provides advice after Georgia Department of Driver Services warns of text message scam

HOUSTON COUNTY – Received a message from the Georgia Department of Driver Services? Does it say there is an outstanding traffic ticket? Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton says it is another creative attempt by criminals to steal money from innocent people.

DDS is warning everyone about a new text message-based scam that attempts not only to steal money but also driver’s license information. In the text message, there is a link they say will resolve the fine. However, when a person clicks on the link, it will take them to pay the scammers. Moulton said in reality, the person has not received any citations, and there is no risk of their license being suspended.

“It’s just a way they are using to deceive people in trying to get money,” he said.

Moulton shared that it is no different from the scams the HCSO has seen. This includes people receiving calls from someone claiming they missed jury duty and have a warrant for their arrest. There have also been scenarios similar to the text message, stating that there is an unpaid traffic citation and a warrant for arrest. 

Molton explained that the scammer tells the victim to go to a kiosk, usually located at a Kroger or Walmart, and deposit money into a bitcoin machine to pay the fine. He shared that there have also been times when the scammer will instruct the person to purchase a gift card and transfer the funds to them. 

Moulton said they have even had cases where scammers meet victims at the Sheriff’s Office. They meet them at the parking lot to take the money from them, then tell their victim the warrant has been resolved. He said in reality, there was never a warrant and the victim did not miss jury duty. 

“It’s just a creative way these scammers are using to deceive honest and innocent people into giving them money,” he said.

Moulton understands the scam’s believability; the text looks legitimate and sent by DDS. Even in phone call scams, he explains scammers use an app to spoof the telephone number. When scammers call, the Sheriff’s Office number can appear, and when the person answers, they will impersonate an officer or Moulton himself. He shared that scammers have used his name in the past, and have been successful deceivers in many cases.

Moulton said scammers use Fast People Search or People Finder to find contact information. Contact information shared on social media makes it easier for companies to sell data, used to build a third-party information bank. 

Moulton also explained that addresses and cell phone numbers associated with utility companies could be sold to marketers or other buyers.

Moulton said it’s essential to know that law enforcement or DDS will never ask for money over the phone or through a text message. If someone fails to attend court for a traffic citation, the court will issue a warrant for failure to appear, which may lead to arrest. However, the Sheriff’s Office will not contact them ahead of time.

Moulton advises people who receive those phone calls to hang up, and said the sheriff’s office receives around 20 calls a day related to scams. He has received the text message, along with several employees at the Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s very common. We see this all the time every day. As far as the text messages that are going around from DDS it’s important not to click on any of the links in the text message and just delete it off your phone immediately,” he said.

Moulton said if a government entity is asking for money over the phone, know right away it is a scam and hang up. He advises against giving money over the phone.

However, if a person is asked to pay money, purchase gift cards, or deposit money into a cryptocurrency kiosk, Moulton advises automatically thinking it is a scam and not doing it. 

Moulton also urges people not to give their financial information over the phone or buy gift cards to pay the fine. With a card number and PIN, scammers can transfer money into their account without physically needing the card. 

“Don’t share any financial information with anyone unless you know for certain who you’re speaking to,” he said.

Moulton encourages anyone who has been a victim of a scam and has lost money to contact the Sheriff’s Office and file a report. The Houston County Sheriff’s Office is located at 202 Carl Vinson Parkway and can be contacted at (478) 542-2125.