Fake “Unpaid Ticket” Texts Are Spreading Across the Country — Don’t Click the Link
A wave of fake “unpaid ticket” texts is targeting people across the U.S. The message is fake — delete it and don’t click the link.
⚠️ High Severity — Text / SMS Scam — April 5, 2026
Police in Missouri, Alaska, Pennsylvania, and several other states have issued warnings this week about a wave of text messages claiming you have an unpaid parking ticket or traffic citation. The message looks convincing — it includes a fake case number, uses official-sounding language, and threatens that your license will be suspended if you don’t pay immediately. There’s a link in the message to “pay your fine.” That link goes to a fake website designed to steal your payment information and personal details. You do not owe anything. The ticket is not real.
What to Do
Delete the text message and do not click the link. Real government agencies do not send payment demands by text message with clickable links. If you’re genuinely worried that you might have an outstanding ticket, call your local DMV or courthouse directly — using a phone number you look up yourself at their official website, not a number from the text. Never enter payment information on a website you reached through an unsolicited text.