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If you receive a text message claiming it is from your state Automobile Club (DMV), I will threaten you with fines and penalties unless you pay, you are not alone. A new wave of fraudulent texts is wiping the country, targeting drivers from states like Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Colorado, Vermont, Texas, North Carolina, and even Washington, DC.
These messages look official and urgent and warn you about the expected unpaid tickets and tolls and immediate payments. But don’t be fooled as these texts are sophisticated scams designed to steal your personal information and money.
Scammers are getting better with making their messages look realistic, so finding scams can be difficult. But with some simple tips, you can learn how to recognize these scams and protect yourself before clicking or responding.
DMV fraud text. (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
How DMV scam texting works
These scam messages vary slightly depending on the situation you are in, but generally consist of the same method. The text threatens outcomes such as damage to your credit score, revoking your driving privileges, suspending your vehicle registration, or increasing tolls if you fail to pay an invoice that appears to have occurred. To make your message look legal, scammers often include a start date for the penalty, a fake management code, and a link that looks like an official DMV website.
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Pro tips: It’s a scam if you’re told to copy the link to your browser rather than clicking directly on the browser.
People receiving scam text messages over the phone. (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
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Why is DMV Text Scam so persuasive?
Scams rely on two important factors to be effective. Fear and urgency. These are two powerful psychological motivations that can cause you to panic as your driving privilege is at risk or are facing financial consequences. The goal is to let them act quickly without pausing to verify the source. The message also mimics legitimate government communication by including familiar terms, official sound codes, and web addresses that look authentic. Here is an example of what the text might look like:
DMV fraud text. (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
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States known to have issued warnings about DMV fraud texts (as of June 2025):
- Connecticut
- Pennsylvania
- Georgia
- Florida
- new york
- California
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- Virginia
- Colorado
- Vermont
- Texas
- North Carolina
- Washington DC
The report has emerged across the US, and the list of affected states could continue to grow as more residents move forward.
How to find and avoid DMV text messaging scams
If you receive a suspicious text message claiming it is from a state DMV and requesting payment or personal information, please follow these steps:
1. Be skeptical of messages that create urgency and panic: Scammers rely on fear and urgency to act without thinking about you. If the message pressures you to act immediately, it’s a big red flag.
2. Check out the obvious red flag: Look for signs such as Strange Sender addresses, nasty languages, mistakes, or links that do not match the official state DMV website.
3. Do not use powerful antivirus software by clicking on the link or reply. Legitimate DMVs do not request payment, personal or confidential information via unsolicited text messages. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links to install malware is to install antivirus software on all devices, as it may access your personal information. This protection can also warn you that it will phish email and ransomware fraud and keep your personal information and digital assets safe. Get the best 2025 Antivirus Protection Winners picks for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
4. Check directly with DMV: If your message may be authentic, please contact your state DMV using the official website or a reliable phone number. Do not use contact information provided in suspicious text.
5. Please consider the Personal Data Deletion Service. Because your personal information is widely available online, you can consider personal data removal services as it could potentially increase the target for these types of fraud. These services work by sending opt-out requests to data brokers that collect and sell information, reducing their digital footprint and making it difficult for scammers to find contact details.
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6. Delete the message immediately and block the sender. Deleting text prevents accidental clicks and reduces the risk of falling into scams later. Also, it is not necessarily Block phone numbers and texts This will send spam or fraudulent messages, reducing future risks.
7. Register your number National should not call the registry: This doesn’t stop all fraud, but it helps reduce unnecessary communication.
8. Please do not provide personal or financial information. Don’t share you social security numberthe driver’s license number, bank information, or password according to the unsolicited text.
9. If you click on the link or distribute the information, act promptly. If you accidentally enter your personal or financial information, contact your bank, credit card provider, or local law enforcement agency immediately to minimize potential damages.
10. Update your phone security features: Please secure you The device’s operating system and security software are up to date It helps block known fraud counts and malicious links.
11. Report a scam: It will help you forward your messages to 7726 (spam) to alert your mobile provider and block similar messages in the future. If possible, mark the message as junk or spam within the messaging app. file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission Reportfraud.ftc.gov Or at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center ic3.gov.
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Important takeouts in your cart
The scam text pretending from the DMV is more persuasive, but doesn’t have to be the next victim. Being skeptical of urgent messages, double-checking anything that doesn’t look off and not clicking on suspicious links can go a long way in protecting your personal information. Remember that the actual DMV never puts pressure on you on payments or confidential details than text. Maintaining alerts will help prevent these scams and keep your personal information and money safe.
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