Warning: Traffic ticket email is a computer virus

CLEVELAND - Here's a warning from state troopers: If you get a speeding ticket by email, just delete it or you risk getting a computer virus.

At least one woman from Cleveland, any many more people in New York, reported the email hoax to authorities, who said it has been circulating across the country, primarily through Yahoo email accounts.

The email pretends to be a Uniform Traffic Ticket from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, issued by the State Police.

It contains an attached zip file that supposedly is a copy of the ticket that must be filled out and sent to a town court.

The Cleveland woman who called WCPO sister station NewsChannel5 said she really did get a speeding ticket recently when driving in the city and thought the email ticket was legit. But she became suspicious when she saw a New York address to send the money to when she clicked the phony email ticket attachment to see and print it.

Police believe the zip file contains an unknown virus. New York State Police computer forensics lab is analyzing it.

Troopers say neither they nor motor vehicles sent the email and people who receive it should not open it or the attached ticket. Police say the email should be deleted.

Email users are encouraged to protect their personal information by using antivirus software, firewalls and other security measures.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.