SCAM: Now Montana DOT Caught People Running A Red Light And Want Money

Pretty convincing emails are showing up from the 'Department of Transportation' again asking you to resolve a ticket that has been issued to you because you were caught on camera running a red light, or something similar.

It's certainly not the first time this type of scam email has made the rounds but I haven't seen it in quite some time. These emails are fairly convincing (other than being complete fabrications) and don't blatantly appear to be a scam.

First of all, these emails are NOT from the MONTANA Department of Transportation. The scammers are simply using 'Department of Transportation' in the 'From' address. Block the sender and delete the email.

Secondly, the email address used by the scammers is NOT a .gov email address. (The one I received had gov in the address but not a ,gov which is important).

Thirdly, Montana doesn't play that nonsense. Montana is among several states (New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia) that have statutes prohibiting using red-light cameras to issue citations to motorists.

Here's exactly what the email I received said: (I removed the links in the email itself but you can see the address below in case you get the same kind of email. DO NOT FOLLOW ANY LINKS IN A SIMILAR EMAIL!!!

• Message intended for: Michelle Wolfe
• Mr./Ms. Wolfe, our traffic cameras recorded you running a red light on July 17, 2024. As such, you have been charged with a traffic citation.
• You may contest this citation in court, or pay the fine online HERE. You may do so no sooner than August 30, 2024, and no later than October 15, 2024.
• Thank you for your attention,
• Department of Transportation

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IMPORTANT NOTE: The dates that are noted in the scam email don't even make sense. A real summons wouldn't tell you that you can't fix it BEFORE a certain date. They'd want you to take care of it asap.

We'd all like to think we can recognize a phishing or scam email. However, thousands of people fall victim to identity fraud because of these annoying pieces of junk.

I would advise you to kindly remind any older relatives who might be a bit less savvy when it comes to scams, that they should call you ANYTIME they have questions about a weird email.