WASHINGTON, DC (KFGO) – U.S. Senator Tina Smith is pressing the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) to take action to combat a widespread text message scam affecting Minnesotans.
Thousands of Minnesotans are reporting fake text messages from senders impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles. The impersonators urge Minnesotans to make an online payment for an unidentified traffic violation or risk prosecution, a loss of driving privileges, and a damaged credit score.
“Beyond being a simple nuisance, these scams jeopardize the financial security of those it victimizes. And these messages threaten the peace of mind of thousands of Minnesotans who face the uncertainty of whether these messages are authentic,” wrote Senator Smith.
“I appreciate the efforts of our state officials who have confirmed the inauthenticity of these messages and have urged caution, but this scale and sophistication of this scam campaign calls for a federal response,” she continued.
Fake DMV text messages have been reported across the nation, including Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey and Colorado.
Minnesotans faced a similar fraud scheme earlier this year when scammers sent messages claiming to be the Minnesota Department of Transportation, soliciting payments for fake unpaid tolls.
Smith requested a response from DOJ no later than June 20.
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