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Knoxville Today
By the People, for the People
Knoxville Police Warn of Ongoing DOT Texting Scam
Fraudulent messages claim unpaid traffic violations or fees, ask for personal information
Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:50pm
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The Knoxville Police Department is alerting the community about an ongoing scam involving fraudulent text messages that appear to be from the Iowa Department of Transportation or 'DMV'. These texts falsely claim the recipient has unpaid traffic violations or registration fees, and ask them to click a link to provide personal and financial information.
Why it matters
Scams like this can lead to identity theft and financial fraud, so it's important for the public to be aware and avoid falling victim. The Iowa DOT does not collect fees or fines via unsolicited text messages, so any such requests should be ignored.
The details
The fraudulent texts claim the recipient owes money for unpaid traffic violations or tolls, and instruct them to click a link that leads to a website made to look like the official Iowa DOT site. However, these messages do not actually come from the Iowa DOT, and clicking the links can expose people to identity theft and financial fraud.
- The Knoxville Police Department issued the warning on April 1, 2026.
The players
Knoxville Police Department
The local law enforcement agency in Knoxville, Iowa that is alerting the community about the ongoing DOT texting scam.
Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT)
The state transportation agency that fraudsters are impersonating in the scam text messages, falsely claiming to collect unpaid fees and fines.
What they’re saying
“If you receive one of these texts, do not click the links and do not respond. You can report the text as junk or spam, or forward it to 7726.”
— Aaron Fuller, Knoxville Police Chief
What’s next
The Knoxville Police Department is advising residents to be vigilant about unsolicited text messages claiming to be from government agencies, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
The takeaway
This scam highlights the importance of verifying the source of any messages requesting personal or financial information, as fraudsters will often impersonate legitimate organizations to try and steal data. Residents should be cautious about clicking links or providing details in unsolicited communications.
