Have You Received This Email Scam Before in Arkansas?

Scams are everywhere and you just can't be too careful. You'll usually find them on your phone or in your email. But I got an email today that made me take a second look.

It's hard to believe that in this day and age, we have the technology for driverless cars and robotic vacuums and now we fly into space for fun, but we can't seem to get rid of scammers. Yes, the scammers that try to scare us into giving them our money. If only these scammers would take their skills and I don't know, make an honest living?

This afternoon, as I was working, I received an email from the 'Department of Transportation'...or so it seemed. The email looks cryptic, something in the style and used pretty vague language, but it still made me take a second look. Why? Because it said 'Citation Notification'. What did I do wrong?

The email states,

Message intended for: Lisa Lindsey

Mr./Ms. Lindsey,

our traffic cameras recorded you running a red light on August 18, 2024. As such, you have been charged with a traffic citation.

You may contest this citation in court, or pay the fine online at gov-co.com/citations/payonline. You may do so no sooner than August 31, 2024, and no later than September 04, 2024.

Thank you for your attention,
Department of Transportation

It had my name on it, but the rest is pretty vague. Where was the 'red light' that I supposedly ran? No street or town is mentioned. What Department of Transportation? Usually, it would say the state.

They were nice enough and clever enough to give me a link to go ahead and pay the 'Fine'.

I received this on Wednesday, August 28 and they seem to want their money quickly (of course they do) within the week. I also noticed there was no logo or letterhead. That's a big giveaway right there.

A quick Google search of the email address notice@gov.co.com, and I found that this scam has been going around for a while now at least 5 years. And this email isn't only in Arkansas it's been reported in Texas and all across the country.

Do not fall for these scams and do not click on their links. Do a little research before you give anyone your financial information. Delete the email. The more suspicious you are of these types of emails or phone calls, the better off you will be.

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