Coloradans are being targeted—again. A new text message scam pretending to be from the DMV is making its rounds across the state, causing confusion and stirring up anxiety for thousands of drivers.
The Colorado DMV is urging the public to stay alert, reminding residents that no legitimate agency would ever threaten suspension of driving privileges via text.
The Message Looks Real—Until It Isn’t
You get a text. It says you’re in trouble with the DMV. Unpaid tickets. Possible license suspension. A warning of legal action. And right there, a clickable link that claims to “resolve the issue.”
Sound familiar?
That’s the message many Coloradans have reported receiving in recent days. It appears urgent. It’s dressed up in official language. And for someone who isn’t paying close attention—or who’s genuinely worried about a forgotten fine—it could look totally legitimate.
But it’s not.
These texts are scams, according to the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. And their only goal is to scare people into handing over private data.
Here’s What the Scam Texts Typically Say
State officials have broken down what most of these fraudulent messages have in common. If any of these pop up on your phone, that’s a major red flag:
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Claim to be from the Colorado DMV
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Say you have unpaid tickets or violations
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Threaten legal action or suspension of your license
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Include a clickable link to resolve the issue
That link? It’s usually the trap.
Clicking it may lead to a fake website that looks like the DMV homepage. Once there, you’re prompted to enter personal info—name, date of birth, driver’s license number, credit card details. Some versions even ask for Social Security numbers.
One sentence to be clear: don’t click, don’t reply, and definitely don’t send money.
What the Real DMV Says—and What It Doesn’t Do
This isn’t the first scam to use the DMV’s name. And unfortunately, it won’t be the last.
The actual Colorado DMV says they never send texts demanding payment, threatening legal action, or asking for sensitive information via links. If you do owe fines or have violations, you’ll get that information through official mail or secure online portals—not sketchy text messages in the middle of the night.
To make things clearer, here’s a table outlining real vs. fake DMV communication:
| DMV Contact Method | Legitimate? | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Text message | Rare | Only used for appointment reminders (opt-in) |
| Sometimes | No payment links; general info only | |
| Phone call | Rare | Only if you initiated contact |
| YES | Used for fines, suspensions, and legal notices | |
| Website | YES | Only through official colorado.gov sites |
If it smells fishy, it probably is.
How Scammers Keep Evolving
What makes this particular scam so dangerous is how polished it is.
Unlike some older scams with broken grammar or bizarre web addresses, this wave looks sharp. The language mimics government tone. The URLs often resemble official sites. Even the threats are convincing—just vague enough to sound real.
Some messages even rotate content, with slight variations that make it harder for spam filters to catch them.
That’s why experts are warning: even tech-savvy people are falling for it.
What You Should—and Shouldn’t—Do If You Get One
If you’re on the receiving end of one of these fake texts, here’s what cybersecurity experts and state officials say you should do:
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Don’t click on any links.
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Don’t reply to the message.
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Don’t share any personal or financial information.
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Block the number.
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Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or Colorado Attorney General’s Office.
One tip? Take a screenshot before deleting it—just in case it helps with an investigation.
And if you’re ever unsure about a DMV-related message, call them directly or check their official site: dmv.colorado.gov
People Are Getting Smarter—but So Are the Scams
“I almost fell for it,” said Ryan Thompson, a Fort Collins resident who got the message just after 6 a.m. “It looked real. I’d just moved, so I thought maybe I missed a toll or something. I clicked, then stopped before typing anything. Glad I did.”
Ryan’s story isn’t unusual.
The scam preys on stress, confusion, and the busy pace of life. And while more people are learning to pause and think before they tap, scammers are also getting better at crafting realistic hooks.
That’s what makes this so frustrating—and dangerous.
Just one tap could compromise your entire digital life.
