Indiana Officials Warn of Realistic Traffic Violation Text Scam

Scammers use sophisticated tactics to trick Hoosiers into paying fake fines

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:53am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Indiana officials are warning residents about a new text message scam that appears to be from the state government, claiming the recipient has a traffic or toll violation and must pay a fine to opt out of a hearing. The messages look more legitimate than previous scams, with officials attributing this to the use of generative AI technology by the scammers. Authorities advise Hoosiers to always verify any such notices directly with the proper authorities and not to pay any unsolicited fines.

Why it matters

This scam highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals who are leveraging new technologies like AI to make their fraudulent messages appear more authentic and convincing. As these tactics become more advanced, it is crucial for the public to be vigilant about verifying the legitimacy of any official-looking communications before taking action.

The details

The scam texts claim the recipient has a traffic or toll violation and must pay a fine to opt out of a hearing. Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell says her office received over 600 calls on Monday from concerned residents about these messages. Indiana State Police Sergeant Ted Bohner notes the scammers are getting more sophisticated, with the fine amounts not being "anything crazy" in order to encourage people to just pay it out of fear rather than ignoring it.

  • The scam texts have been circulating in Indiana in recent days.

The players

Kate Sweeney Bell

The Marion County Clerk who has been working to debunk the scam messages for residents.

Ted Bohner

An Indiana State Police Sergeant who says the scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their tactics.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We had 600 calls to our office on Monday. People were frantic. We even had people who came in who wanted to know what this was and how they could pay it.”

— Kate Sweeney Bell, Marion County Clerk (fox59.com)

“The fine amount wasn't anything crazy, so my fear is they just want to take care of it and pay it instead of ignoring it just out of fear.”

— Ted Bohner, Indiana State Police Sergeant (fox59.com)

What’s next

Authorities advise Hoosiers to always verify the legitimacy of any official-looking communications directly with the proper authorities before taking any action.

The takeaway

This scam demonstrates the growing sophistication of cybercriminals who are leveraging new technologies like AI to make their fraudulent messages appear more authentic. As these tactics become more advanced, it is crucial for the public to be vigilant about verifying the legitimacy of any official-looking communications before responding.