Scammers Target Minnesota Drivers With Scary Text That Looks Real — But Isn’t

MINNESOTA — State officials on Wednesday began warning Minnesotans not to fall for a new scam involving fake text messages claiming to be from the nonexistent "Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles (DPSMN)."

The fraudulent texts claim the recipient has an outstanding traffic ticket and threaten legal action, license suspension, and credit damage unless payment is made through a suspicious link.

The messages reference a made-up agency, the "DPSMN," and cite a phony state code while pushing recipients to pay immediately.

The real Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed that the scam is circulating statewide.

"We've received reports of scam texts requesting payment that claim to be from us," the real Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services DVS said. "We will never send a text asking for money or saying money is due."

Red Flags In The Scam Message Include:

• References to a non-existent agency ("DPSMN")
• Threats of lawsuits, license suspension, and credit score damage
• A suspicious link to a fake payment site
• Urgent language pressuring immediate action

Officials are urging Minnesotans to delete the message and not click any links or reply.

How To Stay Safe:

• Check the sender carefully — look for misspellings or strange domain names.
• Never click on unfamiliar links in unsolicited texts or emails.
• Report suspected scams to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office or the Federal Trade Commission.

If you received one of these messages and fell victim to the scam, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

For official business related to your driver's license or vehicle registration, always use the official Minnesota DVS website.

Other scams to look out for:

• Beware Of Parking Scam Targeting Minneapolis Drivers, City Public Works Warns
• Twin Cities Woman Worked As 'Black-Market Travel Agent'