CONCORD, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) State officials are urging New Hampshire residents to ignore and delete text messages claiming they owe money for traffic violations after reports surfaced of a widespread scam targeting drivers across the state.

According to a news release from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, scammers are sending messages that appear to come from the DMV and claim recipients have unresolved traffic citations requiring immediate payment.

According to the agency, the messages describe themselves as an “automatic alert” and threaten penalties if payment is not made quickly. Those consequences may include the suspension of vehicle registrations, restrictions on driver’s licenses, administrative fees, damage to a driving record and even possible civil or credit consequences.

The messages also include a link directing recipients to submit payment online. Officials say the web address is designed to look legitimate by including “dmv-nh” in the URL, even though it is not affiliated with the state.

State DMV Director John C. Marasco said the scammers rely on urgency to push people into acting before verifying the message.

“These text scams use urgency to pressure recipients into making a quick payment,” Marasco said in a statement. “Anyone who receives a text message claiming to be from the New Hampshire DMV should not submit payment or any personal information. Instead, delete the message right away.”

Officials emphasized that the DMV does not send text messages requesting payment. The only text notifications the agency sends are reminders for scheduled appointments.

The Chesterfield Police Department posted a notice on Facebook that it has been brought to their attention that our residents are receiving text messages purporting to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Anyone uncertain about a message claiming to be from the DMV should contact the agency directly through its customer service line at 227-4000 during regular business hours.

Residents who believe they may have fallen victim to the scam or had personal information compromised are encouraged to notify local law enforcement. Officials also recommend monitoring credit reports and placing fraud alerts or credit freezes if identity theft is suspected.

Victims can also report identity theft through the Federal Trade Commission’s website, IdentityTheft.gov, or by calling 877-438-4338.