WASHINGTON – Senator Tina Smith says she’s pressing Trump Administration to stop a widespread text message scam affecting Minnesotans.
The messages claim to be from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles saying the person getting the text has a traffic ticket that hasn’t been paid for. Minnesota does not have a DMV, but has a Department of Driver and Vehicle Services. The scammers ask people to make an online payment or they risk of getting arrested.
Fake DMV texts have been reported in Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey and Colorado.
Smith requested a response from the Department of Justice.
“Beyond being a simple nuisance, these scams jeopardize the financial security of those it victimizes. And these messages threaten the peace of mind of thousands of Minnesotans who face the uncertainty of whether these messages are authentic. This scale and sophistication of this scam campaign calls for a federal response.” Smith said.
If you received one of these messages and fell victim to the scam, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center: https://www.ic3.gov/. Read the full copy of the letter from Senator Smith here.
