A fraudulent text-message campaign claiming that recipients owe traffic fines has resurfaced in Aruba, generating about 40 calls to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in a single morning.
The renewed Aruba traffic-fine SMS scam is a significant update to an earlier warning. Some residents also reported receiving suspicious telephone calls, according to prosecutor spokesperson Ann Angela.
Official fines do not arrive this way
Angela said the Public Prosecutor’s Office does not contact residents through this type of text message. Official communication from the office is sent by letter.
The message attempts to pressure recipients into reacting to a supposed unpaid fine. Authorities warn that links in such messages may be used to collect payments, personal information or banking details.
What recipients should do
The Government of Aruba’s official warning tells residents not to click the link, make a payment, provide personal or banking information, reply “yes” or respond in any other way.
Anyone who receives the message should delete it immediately and report it as spam or a scam. Residents are also encouraged to warn relatives, friends and colleagues who may be less familiar with fraudulent messages.
Verify through official channels
If a message claims to come from a government agency, residents should independently visit the agency’s official website or contact it using a verified number. They should not use contact details or links supplied in the suspicious message.
Sources: The renewed activity and call count were reported by NoticiaCla. Safety instructions come from the Government of Aruba’s official warning.
