The DMV text scam is a widespread phishing attack where scammers send fake text messages impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to steal personal and financial information. These messages falsely claim you have unpaid, urgent fees (like tolls or traffic tickets) and threaten license suspension or fines if you do not pay immediately.

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Protect Yourself

  • Do Not Click Links: The links often lead to fake, malicious websites.
  • Verify Directly: If you have concerns about your license, contact your local DMV directly via their official website or phone number.
  • DMV Does Not Text: Official DMV offices rarely, if ever, contact people via text message for urgent, unpaid matters.
  • Spot Red Flags: Look for misspellings, urgent/threatening language, and links that do not end in ".gov".
  • Report It: If you receive a scam text, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the IC3 at www.ic3.gov.

Scam Content

  • "Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties".
  • "Your driver's license will be suspended".
  • "Unpaid toll violations".

If you have already clicked a link or provided information, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.