The National Transport and Safety Authority has warned motorists over a new scam that is targeting drivers with phishing text messages demanding immediate payment for alleged traffic offences.
In a public notice on Thursday, December 18, NTSA said it had received multiple reports of fake SMS messages being sent to motorists, with claims that they have unpaid fines on traffic offenses and urging them to pay through a link provided before a minimal deadline.
“We have received complaints that fraudsters are sending short messages to the members of the public requiring them to pay for undertaking alleged traffic violations through a given link before the expiry date,” NTSA said. “Please be informed that the website mentioned on these messages is not affiliated with or operated by NTSA.”
According to the authority, the scam messages closely resemble those of NTSA’s official communication style and direct recipients to a website styled to look like the agency’s portal. Once on the site, motorists are warned they have an outstanding “instant fine” and risk summons to court if payment was not made forthwith.
The NTSA said that one of the red flags is that the fake portal asks users to enter their vehicle registration numbers. Such information, if the case were to be legitimate, NTSA would already have and need not ask motorists for in this way.
In order to raise the level of panic and force victims to pay, fraudsters attach short payment deadlines, which is a common trait of instant fines.
Several motorists have since taken to social media to report receiving the messages, despite having committed no traffic offences.
NTSA has warned motorists against clicking on any links in the unsolicited messages or responding to the SMS saying this may expose them to other fraud and thefts of data. Motorists have also been warned against making any payment using links sent through text messages.
For those who may have already fallen victim, the authority urged them to immediately contact their banks to try and block or reverse the transactions.
The warning comes at a time when the government has announced stricter road safety measures during the festive season. Recently, Chief Justice Martha Koome unveiled plans to enhance enforcement of traffic laws; these include increased compliance checks along the major highways and setting up mobile courts to expedite traffic-related offenses.
According to NTSA, fraudsters seem to take advantage of these announcements by playing on the fears of motorists and cautioned the public against falling prey to such scams, urging the verification of all information regarding traffic through official channels.