'Delete it': Police warn of traffic ticket text scams

Local police are warning of scams related to text messages telling recipients they have outstanding traffic tickets.

Police departments in Manhattan and Bozeman have issued warnings about the text scams.

They both recently cautioned about DMV ticket scams on social media.

Text messages purport to be from the Montana Department of Vehicles (DMV) they threaten the recipients with suspended drivers licenses and motor vehicle registrations as well as potential prosecutions.

The messages include payment links to take care of the outstanding citations.

“If you receive a text, like I did, that looks like the below image, IT'S FAKE! Delete it! Don't do anything listed on it. This is one of the most recent scams going around,” the Manhattan Police Department said in an announcement earlier this month.

Bozeman police echoed the cautionary sentiment.

“You may have received a text like this regarding unpaid traffic tickets. THIS IS A SCAM! Do not click any links and delete the text,” BPD said

There numerous circulating via text messages, social media, emails and traditional mail purporting to be from government entities, including motor vehicle agencies and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), phishing for personal and financial data as well as payments.

Online fraud and scam rings are tough for police to track down with some of them based overseas and even domestic ones hiding within the dark corner of the web.