It seems like scams allegedly involving government agencies are becoming more and more common. Some of them look like this one:

         Florida Department of Vehicles Final  Notice: Enforcement Begins June 13th.

Our records show that as of today, you still have an outstanding traffic ticket. According to the Florida Vehicle Management Act 560-10-22, if you do not pay by June 12, 2025, we will take the following actions:

1. Report to the DMV violation database

 2. Suspend your vehicle registration effective June 13th

 3. Suspend driving privileges for 30 days

 4. Impose a 35% service fee if paid at toll location

 5. You may be prosecuted and your credit score will be affected

If you are not sure if you owe money, never use links or phone numbers provided by the email or text message. Instead, look for a contact number from a dependable source.  If the email or text is supposedly from a company you do business with, look for a contact number on your bill. If the demand for money is purportedly from a government agency, you can usually get a contact number from the sheriff's office.  

Try to remember that when someone demands you make a decision immediately, something is probably not right. Scam artists do not want you to have time to talk to someone. They are afraid the person you talk to will talk you out of sending money.  If they can scare you into paying immediately, they win.

In recent weeks, the wives of men who were arrested, received phone calls supposedly from a bondsman. The caller told the women they could pay a discounted rate if they paid immediately. Both women were convinced and gave their dredit card information to a man they never met. In both cases, the banks were able to reimburse some of the victims' money but not all. If you receive a call from a bail bondsman, ask yourself if you inititated contact with the company. If not, it is probably a scam.

The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice:

Things only scammers will say:

• “Act now!” That’s a scam. Scammers use pressure, so you don’t have time to think. But pressuring you to act now is always a sign of a scam. It’s also a reason to stop.
• “Only say what I tell you to say.” That’s a scam. The minute someone tells you to lie to anyone — including bank tellers or investment brokers — stop. It’s a scam.
• “Don’t trust anyone. They’re in on it.” That’s a scam. Scammers want to cut you off from anyone who might slow you down.
• “Do [this] or you’ll be arrested.” That’s a scam. Any threat like this is a lie. Nobody needs money or information to keep you out of jail, keep you from being deported, or avoid bigger fines. They’re all scams.
• “Don’t hang up.” That’s a scam. If someone wants to keep you on the phone while you go withdraw or transfer money, buy gift cards, or anything else they’re asking you to do: that’s a scammer. DO hang up.

And here’s a list of things that only scammers will tell you to do:

• “Move your money to protect it” is a scam. Nobody legit will tell you to transfer or withdraw money from your bank or investment accounts. But scammers will.
• “Withdraw money and buy gold bars” is a scam. Always. Every time.
• “Withdraw cash and give it to [anyone]” is a scam. Doesn’t matter who they say: it’s a scam. Don’t give it to a courier, don’t deliver it anywhere, don’t send it. It’s a scam.
• “Go to a Bitcoin ATM” is a scam. Nobody legit will ever insist you get cryptocurrency of any kind. And there’s no legit reason for someone to send you to a Bitcoin ATM. It’s a scam.
• “Buy gift cards” is a scam. There’s never a reason to pay for anything with a gift card. And once you share the PIN numbers on the back, your money’s as good as gone.

If you see or hear any version of any of these phrases, you’ve just spotted a scammer. Instead of doing what they say, stop. Hang up. Delete the email. Stop texting. Block their number — anything to get away from them. And then, tell someone you trust and report the scam to the FTC:

ReportFraud.ftc.gov.