* * * * *
                                        
         Despite it being a new year, the scams will never stop coming
                                        
The clock struck midnight, the Times Square ball fell, and scams are still a
thing in this year of 2026.

Bunny has now received the same text message twice:

> Florida Buraeu of Motor Vehicles Final Notice:
> 
> According to our records, the traffic violation associated with your
> account remains unresolved. This is a final reminder that payment has not
> been received.
> 
> In accordance with Florida Code Title 9 Motor Vehicles § 9–18–2–7, if full
> payment is not submitted by January 1, 2026, the following enforcement
> actions will be initiated:
> 
>   1. Official violation recorded with the Florida FLHSMV
>   2. Revocation of vehicle registration effecitive January 2, 2026
>   3. Suspension of driver's license for a minimum of 30 days
>   4. Referral of the outstanding debt to a collections agency, with an
>      additional fee of up to 35%
>   5. Potential legal proceedings and adverse credit reporting
> 
> To avoid these penalties, please settle your payment immedately through our
> official payment portal: https://flhsmv.govsar.help?var=XXXXXXXXXX 
> 

The first time was, I don't know, earlier this month. I thought then, and I
still think it now, that any “official notification” would come through the
U.S. Postal Service (aka (also known as) “snail mail”) than a vague text
message.

Also, by the time a debt hits the collection agencies, the organization with
the debt has already written it off and sold the debt to said collection
agencies, and I somehow don't think government organizations would sell off
debt to collection agencies. Why would they? They have the means (read: guns)
to collect if they really wanted to.

Anyway, a search later, and I found this alert [1] from the Florida
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles [2] about this scam, and they
mention the fact they will never send such a notice via text message, but
will instead use snail mail.

So Happy New Year everybody!

[1] https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/consumer-education/scam-alert/
[2] https://www.flhsmv.gov/

Email Sean Conner at sean@conman.org

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