Minnesota officials warn of scam ‘DMV’ texts
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The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said people are receiving scam text messages that threaten penalties if they do not pay up. Department officials are asking people to delete and disregard the messages.
The text says if the respondent fails to take action by clicking on a link, they will face major penalties, including vehicle registration suspension and stiff fines.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety spokesperson Howie Padilla said the claims are false.
“My youngest daughter called me. She's had her driver's license now for a couple of months, and she just said, ‘Dad, I don’t think I have a ticket. What am I supposed to do?’” said Padilla.
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Padilla said there is no need to report the text messages to authorities unless the receiver was the victim of a crime.
He said the corrective course of action is quick and easy.
“Delete the message. Don’t try and click the link. Don’t try and definitely don’t give any financial information. Delete it.”
Officials from individual Minnesota counties are also urging residents to delete the texts and not respond. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office said it’s received many complaints about the scam.
In addition to being sure it’s fake because scammers frequently use urgency as a manipulation tactic, it’s also clear it’s a scam because Minnesota doesn’t have a DMV. The state calls it Driver and Vehicle Services, or DVS.
