Billings, Montana – Residents in Billings are being urged to stay cautious after local officials reported an increase in scam text messages falsely claiming to come from a state agency.
The Billings Police Department, along with several other City departments, has received multiple calls from residents questioning the legitimacy of recent messages. These texts claim to be from the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MT MVD) and warn recipients that they have unpaid fines. In many cases, the messages also include threats that failure to act could lead to the revocation of vehicle registrations or driver’s licenses.
Officials Warn Public About Ongoing Scam
City officials have confirmed that these messages are fraudulent and are not connected to any official communication. The City of Billings does not use text messaging to collect fines or notify individuals about unpaid balances.
Authorities are urging residents to ignore the messages and avoid taking any action based on the claims being made.
Officials emphasize that scams like this are designed to create urgency and fear, pushing individuals to respond quickly without verifying the source. Residents are strongly advised not to click on any links, respond to the messages, or share personal or financial information.
Instead, individuals should delete the messages immediately and remain alert for similar attempts in the future.
Police say legitimate agencies typically communicate important matters through official channels such as mailed notices or verified platforms, not unsolicited text messages demanding payment.
By bringing attention to the scam, the Billings Police Department hopes to prevent residents from becoming victims and to remind the public to always verify unexpected messages before taking action.
