The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has issued a warning to Minnesotans about a wave of fake scam text messages that are affecting residents across the state.
The scam text messages purport to be from the “Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles” or “DPSMN,” and they claim that the recipient will soon suffer consequences if they fail to pay off an outstanding traffic ticket. Oftentimes these messages include a website link or a phone number that the scammer also controls. They are hoping that you’ll provide your credit card information, which will then likely be stolen and used for other nefarious purposes.
Traffic Ticket Scam Text
The Department of Public Safety noted that they will never communicate about traffic tickets or ask for users to submit payment via a text message. Here’s what you should do if you receive a suspicious spam text:
- You can open the message, but do not click on any links or call phone numbers listed in the text. Opening a text message is not harmful, but clicking on links within a message could be harmful.
- Delete the text, and mark it as spam or junk if possible. This should block the sender from being able to send additional messages from that phone number.
In the event that you believe you have provided payment information or have paid for a fake ticket through one of these spam messages, you can file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
It’s completely reasonable to have outstanding traffic tickets on your record, which is part of the reason why this scam is more successful than most. It’s also reasonable to not want to face additional fines or jail time because of a failure to pay a fine, but if you truly have a traffic issue you need resolved, your best bet is to contact your local DMV, courthouse or an attorney to help sort out the mess. We’ve helped countless folks put an end to their outstanding traffic issues, and we can do the same for you.
If you need help fighting a traffic ticket or a traffic charge in the greater Twin Cities area, we hope you’ll reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277. We answer our phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so we’re here for you in your time of need. Give us a call today.
