Did you get a scary text claiming to be from the Colorado DMV? What to know about scam
A "new wave" of scam text messages impersonating the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles prompted the agency to alert the public not to comply with the threats.
The text messages claim the recipients have unpaid tickets and threaten things like prosecution, suspension of vehicle registration and revocation of driving privileges, the division stated in a June 4 news release.
The text messages are written as if they were official communication from the division to entice the recipient "into clicking malicious links and divulging personal or financial information under the guise of settling non-existent violations," the division stated in the news release.
"These messages are not from the Colorado DMV. 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," it said.
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles says that exact phrasing can vary but the scam texts usually:
"State they are from the 'Colorado DMV' or a similar official-sounding entity."
"Allege 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."
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles offered this guidance:
Don't click on links, as they "often lead to fake websites designed to steal your information," the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicle warned.
Don't share personal or financial information, including your driver's license number, Social Security number, credit card information or banking information.
Don't reply.
Contact the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles directly through its official website, dmv.colorado.gov, or by phone at 303-205-5600. Do not use the contact information listed in the suspicious text.
"If you have not engaged in any activity that would result in a ticket or penalty, it is almost certainly a scam," the news release stated.
If you get one of the fraudulent texts, you can report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.ic3.gov, or the Federal Trade Commission, reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles said to include the following in your report:
The phone number or email address the message came from.
The website that the text linked to.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado DMV warns public of latest scam text messages
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