DGT Warns of Fake Traffic Fine Email Scam

Spain's traffic authority, the DGT, has issued a warning about a new scam. Fraudsters are sending fake emails that look like official notices about unpaid traffic fines, hoping to trick drivers. The DGT says these criminals are trying to take advantage of people's worry about possible penalties to steal their bank and personal details.

These criminals use a trick called 'phishing'. This involves sending out many fake messages that look like they come from official bodies. In this scam, the emails land in your inbox, sound urgent, and demand immediate payment for supposed traffic offences. They are designed to scare people, even claiming the fine will double from 100 to 200 euros and that three points will be taken off your licence if you don't pay within 24 hours. The main aim is to get you to click on a bad link or download a file, which then puts your private information at risk.

The National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) explains that this scam aims to steal login details, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information. The DGT reminds everyone that it only sends official notices about fines and other administrative matters through certified postal mail or its Electronic Road Address (DEV) service, which is an online notification system. The DGT never uses email or text messages (SMS) to tell you about fines or ask for payments.

If you think you might have clicked on a fake link or given out personal or bank details, authorities advise you to act fast. It's crucial to report these scam attempts to the National Police or the Civil Guard. This helps start investigations, warns other people, and slows down the spread of these scams. Being careful and checking if messages are real are the best ways to avoid falling victim to these kinds of scams.