Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging consumers to remain vigilant in light of increased reports of a scam targeting Michigan residents through fraudulent text messages. The scam (PDF) claims to be from the "State of Michigan Department of Vehicles" and falsely states that recipients have an unpaid ticket that must be paid immediately to avoid penalties such as license suspension, registration suspension, and legal action. The message includes a link to a fake payment site and instructs recipients to provide personal and financial information.

“These messages are scams,” Nessel said. “Michigan does not have a Department of Vehicles, and the Secretary of State does not send text messages threatening to suspend your license or registration. If you receive a text message like this, delete it, and do not click on any links.”