A new traffic ticket scam appears in South Florida. Find out before you become a victim
If you receive an email stating that you have to pay a ticket online because a camera caught you failing to stop your vehicle at a red light, be careful — it’s a scam.
Police departments in several South Florida cities including Doral, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Lauderhill and Margate have warned about this new scam and are asking victims to file a report.
“Don’t be deceived! A new scam is targeting drivers by sending them fake tickets with red light cameras. If you are a resident of the City of Doral and have received a ‘scam letter,’ please contact the Doral Police Department at 305-593-6699,” said the municipal police department.
It explained that the false tickets have a photo similar to the traffic light camera ones and are sent with a text in large bold letters. The message warns that it is the last notice that will be sent and includes threats, written in red letters, to suspend the driver’s license if the ticket is not paid.
Apparently, the alleged scammers are taking photos outside the homes of the vehicles’ owners and then editing them.
Motorists who receive the fake citations, which have the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ logo, are instructed in the email to pay using a link included. On the website, they are threatened that if they don’t pay, they will have surcharges and have their license suspended.
Doral Police said the website appears to be currently down, but a photo taken from the website on March 14 shows what appears to be a payment center.
“SCAM ALERT. Great tip from our neighbors at the Lauderhill Police Department! If it seems suspicious or questionable in any way, feel free to call and check. Some of these fraudulent ads may include the police department logo,” the Fort Lauderdale Police Department warned.
Lauderhill police reported that they have received several complaints in which residents have received fraudulent red light camera violation notices in the mail.
“Check the mail with the aforementioned agency before making any monetary transaction,” it recommended.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said it does not send citations by email and does not request payments online.
This story was originally published April 1, 2022 at 4:34 PM.
