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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says a scam involving fake texts from the KYTC has not gone away. 

The KYTC says reports are still coming in regarding fraudulent text messages impersonating the Cabinet, the Office of Highway Safety, and driver licensing offices, with the texts including a suspicious link that appears similar to Kentucky government website addresses. The scam text warns customers of unpaid traffic tickets or “traffic infractions” with notices that payment is due or actions will be taken.

The KYTC does not collect traffic ticket fees, and does not notify customers of violations via text messages. The Cabinet does not refer to itself or its offices as “KDOT” or the “DMV” and only does business on the website drive.ky.gov.

The KYTC says beware of text messages that include the word “pay” or add hyphens to official-looking links. Never click a suspicious link you receive in a text or email. When in doubt, reach out to the agency to confirm authenticity. If you have clicked a link or provided any personal information, contact your bank immediately.

The KYTC says it is working to have fraudulent websites taken down. If you receive a scam text, you can forward the suspicious message to 7726 or report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) or the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General (ag.ky.gov). Sign up for Kentucky scam alerts at stopscams.ky.gov.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their second meeting of the month Tuesday.

After a closed session that lasted about two hours, the court approved a resolution concerning the termination of an E-911 employee by a vote of 5 to 4. First District Magistrate Chris Yates said he was concerned with the issue coming back on the agenda after he said it was discussed in a closed session at the previous meeting and the court then decided against termination.

“If there was not sufficient evidence to support termination when the cause was originally heard, I question whether it is appropriate to revisit it now,” Yates said. “Doing so risks setting a precedent that decisions can be revisited until the desired outcome is achieved.”

Hardin County E-911 Director Mike Leo reported that county dispatch answered 3,625 911 calls in February. Hardin County EMS Director Mark Peterson reported county ambulances made 1,291 runs in February. Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul said the county EMS team received some good news Tuesday.

“We had a state inspection that was completed today, and we had no discrepancies with the ambulances or training or administration, so I just wanted to say congratulations, and I appreciate you and your team for working hard to make sure that that happens,” Taul said.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet for a special called meeting on Friday, March 27. The next regular fiscal court meeting will be April 14.