Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

DMV Final Notice Text Scam - How to Protect Yourself
DMV Final Notice Text Scam - How to Protect Yourself

The "DMV Final Notice" text is a widespread phishing scam (also known as "smishing") designed to steal your personal and financial information. Scammers impersonate state agencies like the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Department of Driver Services (DDS)

How the Scam Works

  • The Message: You receive a text claiming you have an "outstanding traffic ticket" or "unpaid tolls".
  • The Threat: It warns of immediate consequences like license suspension, vehicle registration cancellation, a 35% service fee, or even legal prosecution.
  • The "Proof": Many of these texts cite a fake law, such as "Administrative Code 15C-16.003," to sound official.
  • The Goal: It pressures you to click a link to a fraudulent website that mimics an official government page to capture your Social Security number, driver's license details, or credit card info.

Red Flags

  • Urgency: Legitimate agencies do not demand immediate payment via text to avoid arrest or suspension.
  • Suspicious Links: Official state websites end in .gov. Scammers use similar-looking URLs like .top, .xyz, or .cc.
  • Sender Identity: The text often comes from a random email address or an international phone number (e.g., country codes like +63 for the Philippines).
  • Payment Method: No government agency will ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or apps like Venmo or CashApp.

If You Get This Text

  1. Do Not Click: Never click links or respond to the message.
  2. Report It: Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) to help your carrier block the sender.
  3. File a Complaint: Report the incident to the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov).
  4. Verify Directly: If you're genuinely worried about your driving status, visit your state's official DMV website directly (e.g., NY DMV, CA DMV, TX DMV) by typing the address into your browser.
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