Why You Can Ignore Those Threatening Texts From the ‘DMV’

Protecting yourself from scams is an unpleasant necessity in this day and age. There are all kinds of fake text scams going around, from toll text scams to fake package delivery alerts. One of the newest ones out there is a DMV scam text. Recipients report getting text messages about blemishes on their driving record and threats of fines or license suspension. It may be alarming to receive these messages, but with a little due diligence, you can protect yourself and your personal information.

What Is This New DMV Scam Text?

The language in this scam varies slightly from scammer to scammer but the general message is about problems that you supposedly haven’t settled. First National Bank says that the texts are “threatening recipients with license suspension, vehicle registration cancellation, and even prosecution for unpaid fines or violations.”

How Do I Tell if My Text Is Fake?

First National Bank  reports that this DMV scam text has a few key hallmarks:

• The message claims to be from your state’s DMV,
• It uses threatening language and promises consequences like license suspension for unpaid fines,
• it contains links to fraudulent websites where you’re expected to enter your credit card number and other personal information.

Texts like these are designed to spark unease and encourage you to act without thinking. Losing your license is a scary proposition. Plus. if you do have an unpaid ticket, it can be hard to confirm which alerts are real and which are fake. As with any scams, the first thing you should do is check for a few common features. Spelling errors, mismatched sender information, and key words that encourage you to act first and check things later are all red flags.

Fortunately, this scam is a little easier to spot than some of the others. First National Bank states that “no state Department of Motor Vehicles in the United States sends enforcement notices, payment demands, or violation warnings via text message.” Paper notices are different, but you can rest easy knowing that any texts about unpaid fines are scams.

What Do I Do if I’ve Fallen for This Scam?

Mistakes happen. Sometimes we don’t catch warning signs in time. If that’s the case for you, First National Bank says you should contact your bank immediately to warn them about the potential fraudulent charges. You should also pay special attention to your accounts. This way if scammers do try to use your information, you and your bank will be well prepared to stop them. First National Bank also recommends freezing your credit, contacting law enforcement, and reporting the scam at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

Source

Nationwide DMV Scams Targeting Consumers, First National Bank, 2025.

The post Why You Can Ignore Those Threatening Texts From the ‘DMV’ appeared first on Family Handyman.

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