East Texas Traffic Cam Scam

CAUTION: If you live or drive through East Texas beware of local scam artists who are posing as department of public safety employees. And by all means, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give out your personal information to anyone who calls you, no matter how "official" they seem. Red flags should go up the instant someone calls you and asks for your credit card number, social security number or any personal information at all.

The Texas Department of Public safety warns that they have received reports from the public of supposed DPS officers calling their homes in an intimidating fashion stating that you have an outstanding traffic camera issued ticket that you must now pay or face a warrant for your arrest. These bold DPS impersonators continue by asking for credit card and social security information, all while using official sounding language.

Just for a bit of knowledge DPS does not collect traffic fines, nor do they supervise traffic camera violations.

If you receive a suspicious phone call from anyone claiming to be associated with the Texas Department of Public Safety, collect whatever contact information you can (caller ID) and contact Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office at 1-800-621-0508.

You can read more in Texas' Star Tribune