Scammers Are Now Impersonating State DMV Offices

Fake text messages about unpaid DMV fines are spreading across the U.S.

With summer upon us, you might be thinking about hitting the road. And when it comes to driving, your main concerns are likely to revolve around whether your car is fueled up or fully charged, and the AC is keeping things cool. You’re probably not expecting to get an urgent text message from your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) warning you about unpaid tickets or other vehicle-related charges.

Yet that is what’s happening to residents in states across the U.S. this summer, as part of a wide-ranging scam. Authorities in states from coast to coast, and even in Hawaii and Alaska, have all issued consumer advisories about fake, state-specific DMV texts. The list of affected states continues to grow.

How the DMV text scam works

While the exact language of the text message varies by state, it can be summarized as: You have an outstanding traffic ticket or other vehicle-related fine; if you don’t pay it by a certain date, you could face steep penalties. (The alleged “penalties” vary by message, but may include a loss of your driving privileges or vehicle registration, a reduction in your credit score, or an increase in the charges you pay on toll roads.) The message includes a link to a website that appears to be an official DMV site. The website, however, is a front designed to steal your money and personal information.

This DMV scam seems to have evolved from one that began in 2024, in which fraudsters impersonate toll road agencies such as E-ZPass in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states, FasTrak in California, and I-PASS in Illinois. In this version of the scam, a text message notifies the intended victim that they owe money for unpaid electronic tolls. Similar to the DMV scheme, the message typically includes a threat of late fees, account suspension, or legal action, and instructs the victim to click a link to begin the payment process. The link leads to a phony but official-looking website.

The toll road and DMV scams are just the latest examples of “smishing” operations—the text-based version of phishing—in which fraudsters try to trick people into handing over money or personal information, or to click links that secretly plant malware on their phone.

What to do if you receive a text claiming to be from the DMV

First, know that in every state affected thus far, officials have been reminding residents that the state motor vehicle authority will never contact anyone by text regarding unpaid tickets or fines.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has provided instructions on what to do if you receive an unexpected text message about unpaid tolls; the advice also applies to any unusual text message, including those about unpaid traffic tickets:

• • Never respond to any unexpected text, and don’t click any links in that message.
• • If you have questions about whether the message is legitimate, search for the real website or phone number of your state’s DMV or tolling authority, and contact them from there.
• • Report the message using your phone’s “report junk” option, or forward it to 7726 (SPAM). Then delete the text.

Stay alert for evolving vehicle-related schemes

Unfortunately, vehicle-related scams remain an attractive avenue for fraudsters, and they’re continuing to evolve. As one example, the California DMV recently warned residents of a new scheme in which fraudulent social media ads offer vehicle registration renewal services at a 50% discount. Like most scams, the offer is too good to be true—the fake ads are seeking to pry money and personal information from victims.

As for the DMV text messages, always remember that bad actors try to capitalize on the shock and dismay you might feel when getting a sudden, out-of-the-blue warning about unpaid bills or fines. Stay calm, understand that it’s overwhelmingly likely to be a scam, and act accordingly. Then head out on your summer road trip just as you’d planned.