Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Minnesota Civil Traffic Notice Scam - Beware
Minnesota Civil Traffic Notice Scam - Beware

The recent "Civil Traffic Notice" messages circulating in Minnesota are a fraudulent scam aimed at stealing your personal and financial information. State agencies, including the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), have confirmed that they never request payments or send traffic violation notices via text or email.

How the Scam Works

  • Impersonation: Scammers use fake agency names such as the "Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles," "Minnesota (DVS)," or "Minnesota Department of Vehicle Administration (DMV)"—none of which are official state agency names.
  • Urgency & Threats: The messages often use "Final Notice" language and threaten immediate consequences like license suspension, vehicle registration freezes, or credit score damage if a "fine" is not paid within 24 hours.
  • Fraudulent Links & QR Codes: You are directed to a look-alike website or asked to scan a QR code to "resolve" the matter, which leads to a phishing site designed to capture your credit card details.
  • Fake Citations: Some versions include highly realistic notices that mention a fake judge (e.g., "John Smith") or a fictitious state code (e.g., "15C-16.003") to appear legitimate.

Official Verification

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (gov) and the Minnesota Judicial Branch (gov) emphasize that neither law enforcement nor the courts will ever text you to demand money for a fine. Real traffic citations are handled via physical mail or in person.

What You Should Do

  1. Do Not Click or Scan: Never open links or scan QR codes in unsolicited messages.
  2. Verify Directly: If you are concerned about a ticket, check your status at the official Driver and Vehicle Services website or contact your local court.
  3. Report the Scam: Forward the suspicious text to 7726 (SPAM) to notify your carrier.
  4. File a Report: If you have already provided payment or personal data, file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
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