Lincoln Police warns of scam involving fake text message from Nebraska DMV

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lincoln Police Department and several counties across Nebraska are warning the public of a text message scam.

The scammer is pretending to be from the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles and is referencing unpaid traffic fines.

Just before 9:15 a.m. Saturday, the police department posted screenshots of different messages that people are getting.

Courtesy Lincoln Police Department

The text from the scammer is issuing a final notice, and that if certain fines aren’t paid, the person’s license will be revoked.

“Scammers prey on the fear their messages will evoke and hope that urgency gets you to click,” LPD said on Facebook.

LPD said if you receive this text you can forward it to the Federal Trade Commission at 7726, report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center or report it as junk and delete it.

The police department listed several red flags to look for in a scam text:

• A text from a government agency demanding money
• Random phone numbers
• Referencing incorrect state statute (We have Nebraska Revised Statues, not codes)
• Deadlines that solicit fear
• Suspicious URLs
• Demanding immediate action to avoid penalties

LPD said you can always verify with the business or agency cited in the text that there isn’t an issue for peace of mind.

But find its contact information on its website yourself. Do not call or text any contacts listed in the scam text.