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

California DMV Text Scam Message
California DMV Text Scam Message

California DMV text scams are fraudulent messages claiming you have unpaid tolls or tickets, threatening license suspension to steal personal and financial data. The California DMV (www.dmv.ca.gov) never sends texts demanding payment or threatening, nor do they use links for payments. Do not click links, delete the message, and report it to your carrier by forwarding to 7726.

Warning Signs

  • Urgency & Threats: Messages mention, "final notice," "suspended license," "vehicle registration hold," or "unpaid toll fees".
  • Fake Links: URLs do not end in .gov, but instead look like .cc, .com, or [dmv-gov...]..
  • Unsolicited Contact: The DMV only sends texts for appointments, verification, or renewals if you opted in, not for penalties.

What to Do

  1. Do Not Reply or Click: Avoid clicking links, as they can lead to phishing sites or download malicious software.
  2. Verify Independently: Go directly to the official dmv.ca.gov website or call 800-777-0133.
  3. Report the Scam: Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM).
  4. Report to Federal Trade Commission (FTC): File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
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