KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The New Hampshire Department of Safety (NH DOS) and local police are warning of a new text message scam.

The NH DOS’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is notifying Granite Staters of the text message scam that asks recipients to make an immediate payment to resolve a traffic violation.

The message claims to be a final notice of an unpaid traffic violation, and threatens penalties including potential legal prosecution, credit damage, and the suspension of your vehicle registration and driver’s license if payment isn’t immediately made.

The message also includes a link that includes “nhgov” in an effort to appear to be an official State of New Hampshire website. Anyone who receives the text should not click any links or submit any payment or personal information. Recipients should delete the message immediately.

NH DMV text message scam

The NH DMV will never send text messages regarding payments. The only texts the DMV will send are appointment reminders.

“We urge all residents to remain vigilant for scams and encourage anyone who feels unsure about a communication from the DMV to contact our Customer Service line directly at (603) 227-4000,” said DMV Director John Marasco.

The Winchester Police Department warned residents of the scam as well. In a Facebook post the department said that the scam has been reported in several states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, New York, and New Hampshire.

“Local residents are receiving this and it is definitely a scam. Please do not click on the link,” the post says.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of a scam or identity theft should file a report with local police, review personal credit reports, and consider setting up fraud alerts or a credit freeze.

Victims of identity theft can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov, or call 1-877-438-4338.