Scam: Eastern KY flood victims targeted by fake texts from state transportation cabinet

Kentucky’s governor is raising the alarm about fraudulent text messages targeting victims of the devastating floods that swept through the eastern half of the state last week, killing at least 37 people.

The messages coincide with the opening Thursday of regional, pop-up driver’s license offices in eastern Kentucky to replace licenses, driving permits and state IDs lost during the floods.

The services are free to any resident in the 13 counties impacted by the disaster.

“If you get a text or email asking you to click a link to get a waiver of the fee for a replacement credential, don’t do it. It’s a scam,” Gov. Andy Beshear urged during his press conference Thursday.

“Apparently a scam is going around, saying that they can replace your driver’s license or others. Don’t do that, go to one of the pop-up locations,” he continued.

The text messages targeting flood victims include a link where victims are urged to submit their personal information, including their Social Security number and photographs of their driver’s license.

While the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet may send text messages about its regional driver’s licensing offices, it will never ask for your personal information via text message, a separate news release from the governor’s office said.

Beginning Thursday, a pop-up driver’s licensing office opened at the Knott County Sportsplex. The address there is 450 Kenny Champion Loop No. 8765, Leburn, KY 41831. Thursday, that office operated from noon to 7 p.m.

“Pop-up crews will also operate tomorrow (Friday) at the Hazard Community College and the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg,” Beshear said.

There will be other office locations at Jenny Wiley, Pine Mountain and Buckhorn state resort parks, Beshear said.

• Friday, Aug. 5 at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park

• Monday, Aug. 8 at Pine Mountain State Resort Park

• Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park

The hours at each location will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointments are needed, it is walk-in only.

Do you have a question about recovery in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.

This story was originally published August 4, 2022 at 3:00 PM.

Aaron Mudd

Lexington Herald-Leader

Aaron Mudd was a service journalism reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader, Centre Daily Times and Belleville News-Democrat. He was based at the Herald-Leader in Lexington, and left the paper in February 2026. Support my work with a digital subscription