PRESS RELEASE
The Sparks Police Department would like to alert the community to a recent increase in reports of fraudulent text messages targeting community members. These messages often appear to come from legitimate businesses, government entities, or even law enforcement agencies, and attempt to trick individuals into providing personal or financial information.
Victims have reported receiving texts claiming they owe money, need to verify a package delivery, or must respond to avoid legal action. The messages typically contain a link or phone number urging immediate action. These are scams designed to steal sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or login credentials. An example of said scam attempts may look like the following.
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles(DMV) Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on June 10.
Our records show that as of today, you still have an outstanding traffic ticket. In accordance with nevada State Administrative Code 15C-16.003, if you do not complete payment by June 9, 2025, we will take the following actions:
1. Report to the DMV violation database
2. Suspend your vehicle registration starting June 10
3. Suspend driving privileges for 30 days
4. Transfer to a toll booth and charge a 35% service fee
5. You may be prosecuted and your credit score will be affected
Pay Now:
Please pay immediately before enforcement to avoid license suspension and further legal disputes.
(Reply Y and re-open this message to click the link, or copy it to your browser.)
What to do if you receive this message or something similar
- Do NOT click the link
- Call the business/entity directly to verify the legitimacy of the claims
- Report the message as junk on your phone and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
The Sparks Police Department would like to urge our community members to stay vigilant and talk to their family members—especially seniors and teens—about how to recognize and avoid scams like these. If something feels off or too urgent, it’s best to stop and verify before compromising the security of your personal information.
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