State officials: That text message asking for payment for a traffic ticket is a scam

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Scammers are using new tactics in text messages to get drivers to pay for fake traffic tickets.

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You may have gotten the scam text, threatening you if don’t show up in Hawaii District Court at a specific time to resolve an unpaid citation. Even if you did get a ticket, state officials say never pay unverified sources.

The text says you can pay now to resolve ticket, or risk being arrested, your license suspended, your vehicle impounded, or your wages garnished.

“That’s your red flag right there that they want an immediate payment and they’re pressuring you to act quickly,” said Mana Moriarty, executive director of the state Office of Consumer Protection.

And now scammers are putting a Hawaiian twist to con you out of your money.

“We’re seeing a fake badge number, a fake case number, a fake supposed issuing officer, a pretend judge, and a pretend clerk. In recent texts, I’ve seen officers named Nani K. Aloha, Anela Kahale, judges named Samuel Kealoha and Kale Apono, and clerks named Lani Makuna and Nani Makani, all names that sound like Olelo Hawaii, but if you think about it, also maybe like somebody ran a prompt in chat GPT to come up with these names,” Moriarty explained, adding that it’s used to make the text seem more legitimate.

If you are concerned you might have a traffic citation, you can verify the names, badge numbers or case numbers through official sources.

Contact the Hawaii State Judiciary directly at 808-539-4909 or visit the eCourt Kokua website to search your name for outstanding traffic citations.

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If you receive the text, don’t reply, click on any links or send money.

“Any sort of response to the text message, whether it’s a click or respond with a G, puts you at a heightened risk of attracting further phishing attempts.”

And if you do end up paying the scammer, report it to law enforcement immediately but know you likely will not recover your money.

Officials say these phishing text scams are the price we pay for signing up for services with our mobile number. The best protection is to educate ourselves.

Report the scam and forward phishing emails to the international Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected].

For more information on scams and how to protect yourself, visit the OCP website at cca.hawaii.gov/ocp.

Nonprofit Operation Shamrock also offers education and fraud victim services. Go to operationshamrock.org to find about more.

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