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False traffic fine checkes distributed by scammers: Identifying the counterfeit ones

Multiple lawbreakers are churning out phony fine payment receipts. Dina Fomicheva shares tips on spotting forgeries and safeguarding against deception.

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3 min read

False traffic fine checkes distributed by scammers: Identifying the counterfeit ones

Faking It: How Scammers Struggle to Hide Their Traffic Violation Scams

In the culmination of a new scheme, forged traffic violation fines are being deceitfully disseminated. Car owners confront letters posting their administrative offense decisions, falsely emanating from the State Traffic Inspectorate. According to reports from RT, Dina Fomicheva, a corporate client executive from IT integrator "Telecom Exchange", shed light on these fraudulent practices.

If you receive a letter by post asserting a traffic violation, scrutinize the details. Before the fine, on the back sheet, there's a form carrying bank details for payment. But, beware: in counterfeit copies, the "Recipient of the fine" field won't be the Federal Treasury, instead favoring a payment electronic system like "Yandex.Money" or "QIWI Wallet".

According to experts, these scams have been thriving. "Crooks send letters to vehicle owners, using data from open sources or leaked databases," Fomicheva pointed out. The deceitful letters often showcase logos of the GIBDD and other official symbols, extra details of the alleged traffic violation, and even proper timestamps and locations.

To distinguish between a genuine and a forgery, inspect the bank details carefully. Scammers tend to request payment through third-party services or electronic wallets. Moreover, such letters may have spelling or grammatical mistakes.

Note that scammers might also manufacture fake invoices for utility payments, tax notifications, or debt notices from banks or collection agencies.

As heads-up, on April 30, 2025, the State Duma cautioned that scammers may intensify their activities before Victory Day. Targeting primarily the elderly, these criminals falsify themselves as social protection or local administrative officials, offering supposed payments, gifts, or unique benefits for May 9th. To 'process the payment', crooks request the victim's personal information, such as passport details, identification number, and sometimes even bank card details.

To identify and report fake traffic violation fines, center on these critical indicators:

  1. Urgent threats, especially those claiming immediate consequences like license or registration revocation, or legal action within hours.
  2. Mismatched details such as links redirecting to unrelated toll systems, confusing URLs (like "sunpasss.com" with an extra "s"), generic license plate numbers, or incorrect violation dates.
  3. Requests for sensitive data like Social Security/bank details via non-official channels.

Common scammer tactics encompass:

  • Phishing links embedded within messages, designed to swipe personal/financial data.
  • Emotional manipulation, employing threats of credit damage or legal action to coerce swift payments.
  • Spoofing, mimicking agency branding or using AI-generated voices in follow-up calls.

Counter scams:

  1. Avoid clicking links or responding to suspicious messages.
  2. Corroborate details with the real agency using official channels (like their website or phone number).
  3. Report any dubious texts to SPAM (7726) or submit them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  4. File a complaint with your state’s DMV or attorney general’s office.
  5. Recap: Consistently check bank/credit statements for unauthorized charges.

For toll-specific scams, agencies like Washington’s Good To Go! affirm they never request payments via unsolicited texts[1]. Stay informed, vigilant, and report any suspicious activity.

References:[1] https://www.wsj.com/articles/fake-toll-notices-leave-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-in-coffers-for-scammers-11661830847[2] https://www.scambusters.org/toll-scams.html[3] https://www.wtxl.com/content/news/Toll-scam-alert--How-to-spot-one-569494831.html[4] https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/01/spoofed-scam-texts[5] https://www.npr.org/2019/02/27/699521016/fake-toll-emails-and-texts-role-playing-officials-your-wallet-can-pay-the-price

  1. The forgery of traffic violation fines is becoming increasingly common, with scammers sending deceitful letters emulating the State Traffic Inspectorate.
  2. To avoid falling victim to these scams, be vigilant for bank details that don't lead to the Federal Treasury but instead favor electronic systems like "QIWI Wallet" or "Yandex.Money".
  3. Experts warn that these scammers often manufacture fake invoices for utility payments, tax notifications, or debt notices, even impersonating government officials, particularly targeting the elderly.
  4. In the future, beware of increased scammer activities before holidays such as Victory Day, as they may pose as social protection or local administrative officials, requesting sensitive information for 'processing payments'.
Illegal producers churn out fake traffic fine payment receipts, Dina Filicheva offers guidance on spotting fakes and safeguarding yourself.

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