DMV Ticket Scam Text

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

DMV Ticket Scam Text

If you received a text message claiming you have an unpaid DMV ticket, it is a scam. Official Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices across the United States do not send text messages to demand payment for fines or notify you of license suspensions.

A Sample of the Scam

Signs of the Scam

Urgent Threats: The text often claims your license or registration will be suspended within 2–3 days if you do not pay immediately.
Suspicious Links: The message includes a link to a fake website. While it may look official, it typically ends in .org, .cc, or random characters rather than the official .gov.
Bizarre Penalties: Scammers may use nonsensical language, such as threatening to "transfer you to a toll booth" or "tank your credit score".
Generic Greetings: Messages often use phrases like "Dear Customer" instead of your actual name.

What to Do

Do not click any links.
Do not reply to the message.
Delete and block the sender immediately.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

Legitimate DMV, traffic, or toll violations are sent via U.S. mail, not text. If you are concerned, contact your state's DMV directly through their official website.