A fraudulent text message.

Fraudulent text messages are being sent to residents in Denver and across Colorado. The messages, impersonating the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles, claim the recipient has unpaid tickets.

The messages falsely claim that delinquent fines will lead to severe consequences, including prosecution, suspension of vehicle registration, and revocation of driving privileges. The claims are false and are designed to frighten people into clicking on malicious links and sharing personal or financial information.

The texts look official and typically:

• 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 texts are not from the DMV, the agency advises. Don’t click on any links or respond to the text. Anyone who receives one of these texts is encouraged to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Be sure to include the phone number or email address that sent the message and the website linked in the text.

Front Porch staff received several of the texts this week from different phone numbers.