HARRISBURG, Pa. - Be careful if you get a text or email that looks like it's from the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles. The state's Attorney General, Dave Sunday, is warning people about new scam messages.

These fake messages often say you'll be reported to a DMV database, your car registration will be suspended, or you'll lose your driving rights for a month. Some even threaten to charge you for unpaid tickets. The messages always include a link to pay.

Don't click that link. Scammers are trying to trick you into giving them your personal information or scaring you into paying money.

Attorney General Sunday said it's "disappointing" that people are trying to trick Pennsylvanians. He wants everyone to know that the real PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which handles DMV services) does not send text messages about traffic tickets or fines.

If you get a text or email from someone saying they are from a government agency, you should call that agency to make sure the message is real.

If you receive one of these scam messages, you should:

  • Report it as spam.
  • Do not click any links in messages you didn't ask for.

If you've received one of these fake messages, you can also tell the Bureau of Consumer Protection. You can do this online, by calling 1-800-441-2555, or by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov. It helps if you can include a picture or screenshot of the message.