All of us probably get spam claiming that we owe a fine for, say, traveling on a toll road, and if we don’t pay right NOW, all sorts of mean, nasty, ugly penalties will be imposed upon us.

I had an uptick of those last summer, shortly after we’d spent a week in Florida (where they actually have such roads), so just to make sure, I scanned them… and saw that they not only failed to mention Florida (or ANY state) or its state government, but had no mention of a date or location where said offense allegedly occurred. I’d received legit notices (by snail mail, I believe) correctly mentioning my having actually traveled on this or that toll road on such-and-such a date, and had paid them. (I wonder what happened to all those folks who used to staff tollbooths….)

So, spam. Perhaps directly seeking my money, but like as not just wanting me to respond so that my identity might be stolen.

So I ditched them, and all the similar nonsense I’ve received since then.

But this one today was interesting. Here’s the whole text, although I urge you NOT to go to the URL mentioned (I’d like to, out of curiosity, and in case the state of South Carolina actually has switched to such an idiotically suspicious mode of communication, but worry that that’s just what the scammers want):

South Carolina Department of Vehicles (DMV) Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on June 5.
Our records show that as of today, you still have an outstanding traffic ticket. In accordance with New South Carolina Administrative Code 15C-16.003, if you do not complete payment by June 4, 2025, we will take the following actions:

1. Report to the DMV violation database
2. Suspend your vehicle registration starting June 5
3. Suspend driving privileges for 30 days
4. Transfer to a toll booth and charge a 35% service fee
5. You may be prosecuted and your credit score will be affected
Pay Now:

https://scdmv.gov-xfpp.cc/pay (I post this not for your risky use, but to see if you’ve seen this same ploy before, and can shed light)

Please pay immediately before enforcement to avoid license suspension and further legal disputes.
(Reply Y and re-open this message to click the link, or copy it to your browser.) (Uh, no — don’t do that.)

Are you getting that one? Or does the DOT really want my money, or else? And if so, for what — seeing there is no mention of the specific offense, or when or where I supposedly committed it?

The alarming “Final Notice” is entertaining, though — seeing as there were no previous notices.

It came, by the way, from “websterisabel@marchmail.com.” Shame on you, Isabel! (Unless, of course, this is legit. In which case I await notification — first notification — of the specifics. You know how to reach me.)