ALEA: State residents are targets of texting scam

MONTGOMERY — A new phishing scam is targeting Alabamians by sending fraudulent texts falsely claiming to be from the “Alabama Department of Vehicles (DMV).”

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) on June 6 released a statement stating “that there is no such entity as the Alabama Department of Vehicles (DMV).”

Additionally, the statement indicated that “ALEA and its Driver License Division do not send unsolicited text messages threatening prosecution and requesting personal information or payment.”

“Scammers are trying to create a false sense of urgency by threatening you and your driving privileges,” ALE A Secretary Hal Taylor said. “We urge all Alabamians to be cautious and remember that our Agency will never contact you this way.”

Driver licensing services in the state are administered by ALEA’s Driver License Division while vehicle registration is handled by the Alabama Department of Revenue.

License plates are issued through local county probate offices.

ALEA’s statement warned citizens that the contents of the nationwide scam demand recipients pay non-existent traffic tickets and threaten to suspend individuals’ driving privileges for 30 days, as well as suspend vehicle registrations, unless recipients follow enclosed instructions.

The message further instructs the recipients to click a malicious link or provide personal and financial information.

Any message like this should be considered suspicious and deleted, according to ALEA.