La Crosse County, Wisconsin — Authorities in La Crosse County warn residents about scam texts and calls impersonating DMV and police.
According to the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office, the community has recently seen an increase in fraudulent calls, text messages, and emails targeting residents with threats or urgent requests for information or money.
One of the most common schemes involves messages claiming residents must “update their DMV record” or face license suspension. Officials say the messages often contain suspicious links designed to collect personal or financial information.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the Wisconsin DMV does not send suspension threats through text or email.
Another scam reported locally involves callers impersonating law enforcement officers, claiming the victim either missed jury duty or has an active arrest warrant. The caller may demand immediate payment to avoid arrest and sometimes uses spoofed caller ID numbers that appear legitimate.
Authorities stress that law enforcement agencies do not demand payment over the phone and will not request payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or other unusual methods.
Residents are advised to avoid clicking unknown links, delete suspicious messages immediately, and verify any request directly through the official Wisconsin DMV website or a confirmed agency phone number.
Officials also warn that scams often include urgent or threatening language, unusual payment demands, and messages containing spelling errors or suspicious links.
Anyone unsure about a message or phone call should stop communication and contact the organization directly using verified contact information.
Officials say increased awareness is key to preventing financial loss as scammers continue targeting communities across Wisconsin.
The alert may be particularly relevant for students and young workers who frequently handle DMV services or jury notices online.
Residents can also report suspicious activity to local authorities or Wisconsin Consumer Protection.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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