The New York Department of Motor Vehicles is warning consumers of an email scam claiming to be sent from agency.
The phishing scam sends with a random reference number stating that the recipient must pay a ticket within 48 hours or have their license revoked.
It then provides two links to either plead guilty or to refute the ticket. The links direct to a malicious download that may carry a virus. It is advised to not click on the links, and to delete the email. You can also contact local enforcement to alert them of the email.
“The Department of Motor Vehicles does not send emails urging motorists to pay traffic tickets within 48 hours or lose your license,” said Terri Egan, DMV Deputy Executive Commissioner. “It is unfortunate that people use our agency’s name to target innocent consumers. We urge New Yorkers to always remain cautious about opening email attachments or following links, even if they appear to come from legitimate agencies.”
If you do open one of the links, it is recommended that you run your antivirus software and take steps to secure your computer as soon as possible.
A similar hoax occurred in 2011 when people received an email that purported to be a traffic ticket from the DMV. That hoax included an attached zip file, which recipients thought was a copy of the ticket, but was a virus instead.
