Got a traffic challan SMS? Verify before you pay, here is how you can stay safe

A traffic challan message can make anyone anxious, and once received, people tend to settle the dues straight away to avoid penalties. At times they don’t even check if the message was legitimate or not. Scammers are now taking advantage of this fear, as they are sending fake traffic challans via SMS. These messages look official and often include links asking users to view or pay fines. Moreover, they carry a tone of urgency, prompting one to take immediate action. There have been quite a few instances of similar scams being reported in India in recent times, requiring people to be cautious. Before clicking on any link or paying any fine, one should verify the challan through the official websites of the government and ensure they follow certain security precautions.

Recently, Anand Singh made an allegation of cyber fraud on social media regarding a fake traffic challan SMS that had an apparently dubious link. Sharing a screenshot of the message, Singh wrote ‘Received this fake traffic challan SMS from +91 7016666160 with a suspicious link attempting to scam people in the name of an RTO/e-Challan notice.’

🚨 #CyberFraudAlert 🚨
Received this fake traffic challan SMS from +91 7016666160 with a suspicious link attempting to scam people in the name of an RTO/e-Challan notice.
Requesting @Uppolice, @MORTHIndia and @DoT_India to investigate this number pic.twitter.com/yGks4h38OF

— Anand Singh (@Anand_Singh23) June 2, 2026

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) responded to the incident quickly and urged citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent messages and calls. The department advised users to report such incidents through the Chakshu portal, stating, ‘Be it fake notices or calls, stay vigilant. For such calls, please report to the Chakshu portal. Help us in spreading the word.’

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How to check if a traffic challan is genuine

If you receive a traffic challan SMS, do not click on the link immediately. Here’s how you can check if a challan is genuine:

1. Visit the official e-Challan portal directly.

2. Check the challan status using your vehicle number or challan number.

3. Verify the data on the state’s traffic police website, if needed.

4. Compare the data to any notification that you may have received officially.

How to spot a fake traffic challan SMS

Identifying a fake traffic challan SMS is easy; you can simply look out for the below-mentioned red flags:

• The SMS you receive will be from a regular mobile number.
• It would come with suspicious website links.
• The content will have poor grammar or unusual wording.
• The SMS would give threats of legal action if the dues were not cleared within a short time.

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How to stay safe

Here are simple points you can follow to avoid the fake traffic challan. SMS scam:

• Always check if the SMS is from the government. I usually end with a ‘-G’.
• Do not pay a challan on the link provided. Always use the official website.
• Check the traffic challan details on the official e-Challan portal.
• Avoid clicking the link or sharing personal information.