Beware, Hickory residents: if you've received a text message about an unpaid traffic ticket, brush it off as a modern-day con. The Hickory Police Department has sent out a blast to the community, alerting them to the scam that's been making its rounds, according to a social media post on the Hickory Police Department's official page.
The gist of these fraudulent messages is simple yet alarming, it pitches the tale that recipients are on the hook for an unpaid traffic ticket and will face penalties if they're not diligent, and while the con may seem convincing at a glance it's imperative to remember that this isn't how officials operate these tactics are not within the modus operandi of the police nor the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
Doubly concerning is the link included in such messages, posing as a portal to settle these non-existent fines. The Hickory Police Department is clear: do not click these links. They're a fast-track to more trouble—likely fraud or identity theft. For the uneasy and the unsure, the department encourages direct contact at 828-328-5551 to alleviate concerns and confirm the legitimacy of any communication received.
Safeguarding personal information is a mantra worth repeating, especially when deceitful schemes evolve with the times.
