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MADISON, WI (WSAU) — The Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles is warning customers about a phishing scam.
The scam involves a text message claiming a “final notice” for an unpaid traffic violation. The messages may include a link to what appears to be an official Wisconsin DMV website, but instead will take you to a malicious website.
The messages are not from the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and should be ignored.
“We’re hearing from our DMV counterparts that Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia and New York were hit with this scam last week. Given the number of calls we’re getting from DMV customers, it’s likely Wisconsin is the next target,” DMV Bureau of Driver Services Director Tina Braddy said. “We want to protect our residents, so we are quickly issuing this alert to ensure fewer fall victim to these scams.”
Wisconsin DMV urges consumers to be on the lookout and follow these tips:
- Be suspicious of demands for money and urgency.
- Do not share personal information with unsolicited emails or messages.
- If you have not signed up to receive email or text messages from DMV and receive an unsolicited text message or email from an unknown number or person, do not respond, engage with the caller or click on links.
- Sign up for account activity alerts and renewal reminders by subscribing to Wisconsin DMV’s eNotify. Like most bank accounts, you will receive confirmation of transactions on your account which alerts you to any fraudulent activities. Sign up for eNotify here: wisconsindmv.gov/enotify
Anyone who receives an unsolicited phone call or text message asking for payment can also contact the agency directly through official channels to confirm the status of their account. Those who may have been scammed are encouraged to file a report with their local police department and the Federal Trade Commission and monitor their credit report for suspicious activity.
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