The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles on Wednesday warned Coloradans of a deceptive new text message scam in which fraudsters are impersonating the DMV.
The Colorado DMV said the text messages are “crafted to appear as official communications” with a goal of “frightening recipients into clicking malicious links and divulging personal or financial information under the guise of settling non-existent violations.”
Although the wording can vary, typically the text messages will say they are from the Colorado DMV or a similar “official sounding” entity and accuse the recipient of having an unpaid ticket or violation.
The text messages generate a sense of urgency, threatening legal action, suspended driving privileges or vehicle registration, or impacts to a credit score.
The Colorado DMV said the messages will also contain a link to a fake website to “resolve” the issue.
This is an illustration of an actual scam text message purporting to be the Colorado DMV.
The Denver Gazette
“It’s critical for all Coloradans to understand: These messages are NOT from the Colorado DMV,” the department said in a news release Wednesday.
The Colorado DMV said if you receive this text message do not click on any links, refrain from sharing personal or financial information (including driver’s license number, Social Security number, credit card or banking details) and do not reply to the text message.
Anyone concerned about their driver’s license, vehicle registration or outstanding tickets can contact the Colorado DMV at its official website dmv.colorado.gov or by phone at 303-205-5600.
“Do not use any contact information provided in the suspicious text,” the Colorado DMV said.
Suspicious texts can be reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include the phone number or email address that sent the message and the website linked in the text.
Sign Up For Free: Weekly 7
Catch up with a rundown of the 7 most important and interesting stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday.
1 of 1Denver Police Department Chief Ron Thomas speaks about two officer-involved shootings at a news conference at the DPD's downtown administrative building on Sept. 4, 2025. (Michael Braithwaite / The Denver Gazette)Michael Braithwaite / The Denver Gazette Over the span...
1 of 1A photo of the WoodSpring Suites where police engaged in a barricade situation with a man on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. Image courtesy of the Broomfield Police Department on social media .Courtesy, the Broomfield Police Department 17th Judicial...
1 of 1Ashley Patterson was arrested by Denver police on Sept. 2 on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with a fatal shooting of a woman that took place the day earlier. (Courtesy, Denver Police Department)Courtesy photo, Denver Police Department...
1 of 1Isiah Small, 21, was arrested by Adams County Sheriff's Office deputies for allegedly shooting a man in the leg during a fight on Monday, Sept. 1, after the victim allegedly yelled at Small's car to slow down in...
1 of 8Golden Chief of Police Joe Harvey works from his Golden, Colo. office on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.Tom Hellauer tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com2 of 8Golden Chief of Police Joe Harvey works from his Golden, Colo. office on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.Tom Hellauer...
1 of 1The Frank DeAngelis Community Safety Center was formerly an elementary school and has been used to help train law enforcement, education professionals and more groups since 2017 when it was converted to the training facility for school threat...
1 of 1An Adams County Sheriff's deputy checks a driver's documents.Courtesy of Adams County Sheriff's Office In a 12-hour traffic enforcement operation this week, Adams County Sheriff’s Office and several other jurisdictions handed out almost 300 tickets, conducted almost 400...
1 of 1istock The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office charged four men with felonies in connection with a shooting that injured four people at a convenience store in July. The men have each been charged with several crimes, including attempted...
1 of 1A photo of the WoodSpring Suites where police engaged in a barricade situation with a man on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. Image courtesy of the Broomfield Police Department on social media .Courtesy, the Broomfield Police Department Police are...
1 of 1Body camera footage of Colorado State Trooper Colton Bogart arresting 36-year-old Nelson Oldham after he allegedly drove in the wrong direction on Interstate 25 twice near Fort Collins on Aug. 10.Courtesy photo, Colorado State Patrol Colorado State Patrol troopers...