(COLORADO) — In a new wave of fraudulent text messages, scammers are directly impersonating the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), claiming that people have unpaid tickets or traffic violations and are “threatening severe consequences” such as prosecution, suspension of vehicle registration, and revocation of driving privileges.
“These deceptive text messages are crafted to appear as official communications from the Colorado DMV. Their primary goal is to frighten recipients into clicking malicious links and divulging personal or financial information under the guise of settling non-existent violations,” the DMV warning read.
What the fraudulent text messages look like:
As seen in the photo, the fraudulent texts typically include the following:
State they are from the “Colorado DMV” or a similar official-sounding entity.
Alleged outstanding unpaid tickets or violations.
Threaten imminent legal action, such as prosecution.
Warn of pending suspension of vehicle registration and/or driving privileges.
Contain a link to a fake website to “resolve” the issue or make a payment.
“It is critical for all Coloradans to understand: These messages are NOT from the Colorado DMV,” the warning continued. “The DMV does not initiate contact via unsolicited text messages to demand payment for tickets or to threaten prosecution or suspension of privileges in this manner.”
DMV: What to do IF you receive one of these texts:
Do NOT click on any links. These links often lead to fake websites designed to steal your information.
Do NOT share any personal or financial information. This includes your driver’s license number, Social Security number, credit card details, or banking information.
Do NOT reply to the text message.
According to the DMV, if someone is concerned about the status of their driver’s license, vehicle registration, or any potential tickets, they should contact the Colorado DMV directly through its official website or by phone at (303) 205-5600.
Anyone who receives one of these fraudulent texts is encouraged to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Federal Trade Commission. “Be sure to include the phone number or email that sent the message and the website linked in the text.”
“The Colorado DMV urges all residents to be extremely cautious and to share this warning with friends and family. Vigilance is key to protecting your personal information from these evolving scams.”
