SIDNEY, Neb. — State and local law enforcement agencies are warning Nebraskans to be on high alert after a scam involving fake text messages claiming to be from the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles began circulating across the state on Monday.

The messages falsely state that recipients owe unpaid traffic fines and urge them to click a link to avoid penalties. The Nebraska DMV and State Patrol confirm the messages are fraudulent and should be deleted immediately.

“None of these text messages are legitimate,” said Rhonda Lamm, director of the Nebraska DMV. “The Nebraska DMV does not send any such official notice via text message.”

Authorities say the scam is likely a phishing attempt designed to steal personal or financial information. The Nebraska State Patrol and DMV are urging the public not to click on the link or provide any information.

“Scammers can be relentless, but there’s a rule of thumb to protect yourself from this type of scam,”Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol Colonel Bryan Waugh said. “Never click links or provide personal or financial information on unsolicited messages. If you think the message may be legitimate, go directly to the source and initiate contact yourself.”

The scam has already reached residents in Cheyenne, Deuel, Box Butte Morrill, Keith and other surrounding counties in the Nebraska Panhandle, northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming. Several local sheriff’s offices and police departments, including the Deuel County Sheriff's Office, have posted warnings on social media urging residents to delete the message and avoid engaging with it.

Signs of similar scams may include threats of legal action, demands for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, or messages that appear to come from trusted sources but contain errors or suspicious links.

Anyone who receives a message is encouraged to report it to their local authorities or the appropriate fraud agency.