Police warn island residents over traffic fine scam texts

Island residents are being warned about a traffic violation scam after the Isle of Man Constabulary received a high number of calls from people who have received fraudulent text messages.

Police said it continues to be ‘inundated’ with calls to Police Headquarters and its outstations from people reporting the scam.

Messages claim recipients need to pay a speeding or traffic fine and contain a link.

A spokesperson for the Isle of Man Constabulary said, ‘Last month we issued a warning about scam texts circulating on the island which claimed that recipients needed to pay a speeding fine.

‘Today we have been made aware of a similar scam now being sent to Isle of Man residents.

‘Please do not respond, click any links or take any actions in response to these texts.’

Anyone who has received the message but has not clicked the link, responded or shared any personal or financial information is being asked not to contact police.

Instead, residents should delete the message and report it to the Cyber Security Centre for the Isle of Man using its online reporting form.

Anyone who has already interacted with the link should contact their bank immediately and report the incident to the Cyber Security Centre.

Residents have also been urged to share the warning with friends, family members and anyone who may be more vulnerable to this type of scam.

Police said passing the information on was particularly important for people who do not use social media and may otherwise miss warnings about scams.