So, you fell for a scam text. Now what?
If you recently received a text purportedly from Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services urging you to pay up on a traffic ticket or other violation, you’re not alone.
Officials have warned against clicking links or responding to these bogus messages — but those who have already clicked can act quickly to limit charges, report the scam and prevent further fraud.
“The best way to avoid scams is awareness and prevention,” said Marta Hanson, a spokesperson for the Oregon Attorney General’s Office.
But as scams get more sophisticated, they can be harder to detect. If you’ve already clicked on a phishing link, check your bank, credit card and phone statements for suspicious activity and dispute any fraudulent charges, Hanson said.
You can also get your phone, laptop or computer scanned for malware at retail stores with technology support, Hanson said.
Contact credit reporting agencies including Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to freeze credit and prevent accounts from being opened in your name.
Double-down on securing personal information by changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication, Hanson said.
Scams can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission by answering a survey at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. According to that website, reports are shared with more than 2,800 “law enforcers.” The FTC won’t resolve individual reports, but uses them to investigate and bring cases against fraud, scams and bad business practices.
You can also report scams to local police or to the Oregon Department of Justice using its consumer complaint form, Hanson said. She also encouraged people to call the consumer hotline — 1-877-877-9392— for questions or guidance.
Recent “smishing” attempts — a form of phishing over SMS (Short Message Service) technology — impersonating the Oregon DMV have claimed that recipients have outstanding traffic tickets. They threaten to revoke or suspend vehicle registration or driver’s licenses if recipients don’t “pay immediately.”
The texts can seem real — and threatening — but the DMV never asks for personal information or payment through unsolicited texts, emails or phone calls, said Oregon DMV spokesperson Chris Crabb.
The DMV recommends ignoring, blocking and deleting scam messages, Crabb said.
But if you opened a link, Crabb reiterated the recommended response: People should “secure their personal information and financial accounts and dispute any unfamiliar charges.”
— Maddie Khaw covers breaking news, public safety and more for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her at mkhaw@oregonian.com.