From the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration:

There has been an increase in scammers impersonating government agencies to deceive Tennesseans into disclosing personal information or making fraudulent payments. They typically are sent through text messages, emails, and phone calls. Many claim the recipient has unpaid toll violations or urgent government-related issues.

Spotting a Scam:
Remember
– Tennessee has no toll roads
– Government agencies do not demand payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency
– Ensure email address ends in “@tn.gov”
– Be wary of messages that use fear tactics, such as threats of license suspension or legal action

To Protect Yourself:
– Ignore suspicious messages. Do not click links or respond. Scammers want you to react quickly, so it’s important to stop and verify first
– Verify any notice you receive from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security for official information
– Report scams and suspicious communications to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
– Delete the messages