Scammers are increasingly sending SMS messages claiming that recipients have “outstanding traffic fines.” By exploiting fear and panic, they pressure people into clicking malicious links designed to steal their money and personal information. So, how can you check whether a traffic ticket is genuine? Thai PBS Verify has compiled the information you need.
Thai PBS Verify has found widespread circulation of fraudulent SMS messages falsely claiming that recipients have an “outstanding traffic ticket,” accompanied by suspicious links intended to frighten recipients into clicking them. Once clicked, these links may be used to steal money and personal information, potentially turning unsuspecting recipients into victims.
Here are the key warning signs of fake SMS messages, along with safe ways to verify whether a traffic ticket is genuine.
Example of a fake SMS
If you accidentally click the link and follow the scammer’s instructions, several things may happen:
If you have accidentally entered your information or transferred money, take the following steps immediately:
Woraphat Phuengphong, an independent academic specializing in criminology and victimology, explained why these types of scams continue to successfully deceive victims.
Put simply, scammers are casting a wide net. They do not expect every attempt to succeed. From their perspective, even a small number of people who “accidentally follow the instructions” is enough. They combine deception with behavioral psychological techniques to manipulate victims into taking action.
The key principles commonly used include:
Ultimately, scammers are not fighting against new technology.
They are exploiting natural patterns of human behavior that remain largely unchanged.
It is almost impossible to eliminate curiosity altogether. Instead, greater attention should be given to how we respond to our curiosity.
It is similar to being intensely curious about other people’s affairs: we may want to know what is happening, but that does not necessarily mean this is the right moment to find out. What matters is how we respond to that impulse. The same principle can be applied to suspicious messages.
One simple approach is the “STOP–SEPARATE–VERIFY” principle:
You can even establish a personal rule, such as never clicking any link received via SMS. This helps build a habit of separating decision-making from simply receiving information.
These measures may help individuals protect themselves. But when viewed from a broader societal perspective, simply telling people to “beware of scammers” could be interpreted in another way: Are we placing too much responsibility on potential victims?
Perhaps we should shift the perspective and encourage victims—or members of the public who may become victims—to recognize that:
Scammers are not trying to make you look foolish. They are trying to make you act too quickly and fall for the scam.
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has stated that it does not have a policy of sending SMS messages notifying members of the public about outstanding traffic fines or providing links for them to make payments.
The department also does not have a policy of making telephone calls to request personal information, asking people to transfer money, or sending payment links via SMS or LINE. Therefore, such messages or calls do not originate from the Department of Land Transport.
If you receive an SMS or a phone call from someone claiming to be a DLT official, do not click any links, do not download unfamiliar applications, and do not transfer money based on the caller’s or sender’s claims.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the Department of Land Transport hotline at 1584.
Nuttapoln Toomma
Thai PBS Verify team
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