Andorran Police Warn of SMS Scam Impersonating Force for Fake Traffic Fines
Authorities confirm the hoax targets residents nationwide, stressing that official fines are not issued by text. Citizens should ignore threats and report suspicious messages to prevent data theft by cybercriminals.
Key Points
- Fraudulent SMS from foreign numbers claim traffic violations with case numbers and payment links.
- Messages threaten court action if unpaid within 48 hours and ask to reply '1' for offence recording.
- Police never send fine notifications via SMS; urge blocking, deleting messages, and avoiding links.
- Scam risks personal and banking data theft; follows similar frauds like fake package delivery alerts.
Andorran police have warned of a widespread SMS scam impersonating the force to demand payment for fake traffic fines. The fraudulent messages, arriving on numerous phones across the country from various foreign numbers, claim a vehicle has been caught in an automatic traffic control system violation.
The texts include an apparently official case number and a link to view infringement details and pay the penalty within 48 hours. They threaten to refer the matter to court if ignored and even invite recipients to reply with "1" for a supposed recording of the offence. Authorities stress that clicking the link or providing details enables cybercriminals to steal personal or banking information.
In a social media alert issued on Wednesday, police confirmed the scam after citizens raised doubts. They emphasised that the force never notifies fines via SMS and urged people to block the sender, delete the message immediately, and avoid any links or data sharing.
This follows recent similar frauds, including fake alerts about suspended valuable package deliveries requiring urgent link clicks for confirmation. Police noted scammers use multiple tactics and repeat methods, advising caution with urgent demands from unfamiliar numbers.
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