Scammers are targeting drivers across multiple states with fake DMV texts threatening license suspension, stealing millions from unsuspecting Americans through a sophisticated “smishing” scheme that preys on fear of legal consequences.
Key Takeaways
- A widespread text messaging scam impersonating DMVs has hit New York, Florida, California, Illinois, Utah and other states, threatening license suspension for unpaid fines.
- Americans received 19.2 billion automated spam texts in April alone, averaging 63 spam texts per person, contributing to over $12 billion lost to fraud in 2024.
- Red flags include foreign phone numbers, urgent demands for payment, spelling errors, and suspicious links requesting personal or financial information.
- State DMVs typically don’t initiate communication about fines via text message – official government texts usually come from five-digit numbers.
- Fraudulent texts should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov rather than engaging with the message.
DMV Text Scams Spreading Nationwide
A dangerous new phishing scam is spreading across America, with fraudsters sending fake text messages that appear to be from state Departments of Motor Vehicles. The texts claim recipients have unpaid traffic violation fees or toll charges and threaten to suspend their driver’s licenses unless immediate payment is made through provided links. This scheme, known as “smishing” (SMS phishing), has been reported in multiple states including New York, Florida, California, Illinois, and Utah, targeting vulnerable drivers with increasingly sophisticated tactics.
The scam represents part of a broader trend of digital fraud that has exploded in recent years. According to reports, Americans received an astounding 19.2 billion automated spam texts in April alone, averaging 63 spam texts per person. The financial impact is staggering – the Federal Trade Commission reported that Americans lost over $12 billion to fraud in 2024, marking a $2 billion increase from the previous year. These DMV scams are designed to exploit people’s fear of legal consequences and the official-sounding nature of the messages.
How to Identify Fraudulent DMV Messages
Several telltale signs can help identify these fraudulent messages. Legitimate government agencies rarely demand urgent payment or threaten immediate penalties via text. The scam texts often contain grammatical errors, come from foreign phone numbers or email addresses instead of official government shortcodes, and direct recipients to suspicious URLs. Additionally, they may use generic department names rather than the specific state agency terminology. Official government texts typically originate from five-digit numbers, not standard phone numbers.
“Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias warned residents about a new type of phishing scam in a recent X post, saying text messages posing as the Department of Motor Vehicles should be ignored,” Stated Alexi Giannoulias
The fraudsters often employ sophisticated techniques to appear legitimate, such as referencing actual state statutes or using official-looking logos. They may send messages claiming that “your license will be suspended” or that “legal action will be taken” unless payment is made immediately. Some texts even include specific dollar amounts for supposed violations, creating a sense of specificity that can trick recipients into believing the message is authentic. These details are crafted to generate fear and prompt hasty action without proper verification.
Protecting Yourself From DMV Text Scams
To safeguard against these deceptive schemes, experts recommend several protective measures. First, never click on links in unexpected text messages claiming to be from government agencies. Instead, if concerned about potential DMV issues, contact your state’s motor vehicle department directly through their official website or phone number. Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce spam calls and texts, and maintain a healthy skepticism about any message requesting personal or financial information.
“The texts may also threaten the recipient with the ‘suspension of driving privileges,” According to Illinois Secretary of State
If you receive a suspicious text claiming to be from your state’s DMV, do not respond or click any links. Most state motor vehicle departments, including Illinois, have confirmed they do not send text messages about vehicle registrations or driver’s licenses – they typically only send text reminders for scheduled DMV appointments. Report fraudulent texts to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Additionally, maintaining updated security software on your devices can help protect against malicious links and keep your personal information secure from these government impersonators.
