Officials Warn Of Scam Text Messages Targeting RI Residents

WARWICK, RI — Rhode Islanders have reported getting scam text messages encouraging them to sign up for a “COVID-19 Safe Drive to Work” program, and the messages claim to be from the "Rhode Island Department of State."

However, such a "safe drive to work" program does not exist, and the message is a scam, said Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Attorney General Peter Neronha.

People who receive such messages should not click on the link or reply to the message. Instead, they are asked to contact the attorney general's Consumer Protection Unit at 401-274-4400 or consumers@riag.ri.gov to report the scam.

People who do click on the link are directed to a web page that looks official, but it's not. Anyone who inadvertently supplied personal information is asked to contact the Consumer Protection Unit.