Is that DMV text legit? Manatee County officials warn of fraud message scam

Fraudulent texts claiming to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles have been circulating in Manatee County, and officials urge residents to delete these messages.

These texts claim that the recipient has unpaid traffic fines and urge them to pay via a link attached. They also claim that certain consequences, such as additional fees and suspension of driving privileges, will occur if the individual does not pay immediately, according to a news release from the Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.

The release warns the public that text messages claiming to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles are not legitimate and that recipients should not click the attached links.

“We will never demand payment via text message,” Angel Colonneso, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, stated in the release. “My office will notify you by mail using official letterhead regarding unpaid traffic citations.”

The same scam was identified in May with identical wording, and these messages began again on Friday.

Anyone who receives a similar text should ignore the order to pay a fine and delete the message, officials say.

“If you receive one of these messages, don’t click the link — just delete it,” Colonneso said.