By The Chronicle Staff

If you’ve recently received a text message claiming you owe money for an unpaid traffic ticket, parking violation, or toll fee, state officials say you’re not alone — and you should not click the link.

A growing scam targeting Ohio residents is using fear and urgency to trick people into handing over personal and financial information, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office reports. The fraudulent messages often appear to come from a government agency, court system or the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

They claim the recipient has an outstanding violation and must pay immediately to avoid penalties such as license suspension, court action, or additional fines.

The scam has become widespread enough that Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Ohio BMV, and other state agencies have issued public warnings to residents. Officials said the messages are designed to look official and may include court documents, legal references, payment links, or QR codes that direct victims to fraudulent websites.

In many cases, the texts claim a recipient has an unpaid parking ticket or toll violation. Some even reference real Ohio laws or court systems in an effort to appear legitimate. However, authorities stress that these notices are fake.

The Ohio BMV has emphasized that it will never send text messages demanding payment or requesting personal financial information. If a message claims otherwise, it should be treated as suspicious.

Cybersecurity experts refer to this type of attack as “smishing,” short for SMS phishing. The goal is to convince victims to click a link, scan a QR code, or enter sensitive information such as credit card numbers, banking details, passwords, or Social Security numbers. Once scammers obtain that information, they may use it for identity theft or financial fraud, Time Magazine reports.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office recommends several precautions:

• Do not click links or scan QR codes contained in unexpected text messages.

• Do not provide personal or financial information in response to a text.

• Verify any claimed violation by contacting the court, agency, or government office directly using an official phone number or website.

• Watch for unusual website addresses, spelling errors, or instructions that seem out of the ordinary.

• Delete suspicious messages immediately.

The scam is not limited to Ohio. Similar schemes have been reported across the country, with scammers impersonating DMVs, toll agencies, and local courts in multiple states. Authorities say the criminals behind these campaigns rely on panic and urgency to convince victims to act before thinking.

One Ohio resident who shared their experience online said the fake notice was among the most convincing scams they had ever received. The message included what appeared to be an official legal document and a QR code directing users to a fake BMV payment website.

The best defense, officials say, is skepticism. Legitimate government agencies generally communicate traffic citations and court matters through official mail or established channels, not unsolicited text messages demanding immediate payment.

Residents who believe they have received a scam message can report it to the Federal Trade Commission or the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section. If personal information has already been provided, consumers should contact their financial institution immediately and consider monitoring their accounts for suspicious activity.

As scammers become increasingly sophisticated, Ohio officials remind residents that a healthy dose of caution may be the best protection against becoming the next victim.