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The Selma Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) are warning citizens about a nationwide phishing scam that impersonates the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The text messages falsely claim to be from the “Alabama Department of Vehicles (DMV)” and demand  payment for non-existent traffic tickets.

These messages threaten to suspend individuals’ driving  privileges for 30 days and suspend vehicle registrations unless recipients click a malicious link or  provide personal information.

“A fake message claiming to be from the Alabama DMV is circulating,” stated the Selma Police on social media. “It falsely warns of license suspension and asks for payment via a suspicious link. DO NOT (sic) click the link or share personal info. Official notices will never come by random text or email links.”

State officials emphasize that there is no such entity as the Alabama Department of Vehicles (DMV). In Alabama, driver licensing services are administered by the Alabama Law  Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Driver License Division, and vehicle registration is handled by  the Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR). Additionally, license plates issuance is handled  through local county probate offices.

ALEA and its Driver License Division do not send unsolicited text messages threatening prosecution and requesting personal information or payment. Any such message should be  considered suspicious and deleted immediately.

“Scammers are trying to create a false sense of urgency by threatening you and your driving  privileges,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “We urge all Alabamians to be cautious and  remember that our Agency will never contact you this way.”

If you receive a message like this, do not click on links in suspicious text messages. Do not provide any personal information. Then, report phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the IC3 www.ic3.gov.