Maine Police Say the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is Not Texting You

A scam that's once again appearing in Maine claims to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Maine Residents are Not Unfamiliar with Scam Messages and Texts

Scammers have made all of us so cautious, afraid to answer the phone if we don't know the number. And maybe that's not a bad thing.

These days, I get phone calls and text messages on a daily basis telling me I'm approved for a multi-thousand dollar loan. Problem - I never applied for a loan. Obviously, I don't answer those calls.

READ MORE: Maine Police Reminders About How Best to Protect Your Stuff

But scammers just keep getting smarter, making it tougher to spot them.

Maine Secretary of State Warns Residents of a BMV Text Scam

The latest scam making the rounds in Maine involves text messages that claim to be from the Secretary of State.

When you check your messages, you may see a text that says it's an 'Important Reminder from the Maine DMV.'

The contents of that text will threaten the recipient with several consequences, from vehicle registration and license suspension to late payments and legal proceedings for failing to pay for a supposed violation.

A link is provided in the message that claims to be a place to pay that fine. In reality, it takes the recipient to a fake website.

Maine Secretary of State Says BMV Texts are Not Valid

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says neither the text or the website is associated with her office or the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Similar fake texts are appearing with increasing frequency. Unfortunately, this is a likely sign that the scammers are finding success and all new victims each time they send out a new batch of texts.

Bellows goes on to say that anyone receiving one of these texts should just delete it, and advises never, ever clicking on a link in an unsolicited text.

More information can be found on the Secretary of State's website.