A surge of scam texts posing as official messages from state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) is targeting drivers across the country, including in Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Minnesota. These fraudulent texts warn recipients about unpaid traffic violations or tolls, threatening suspension of vehicle registration or driving privileges if immediate payment isn’t made.
The scam messages often mimic the look of legitimate DMV communications, sometimes referencing fake state administrative codes or deadlines, and include links that appear to lead to official government websites In some cases, the texts instruct recipients to reply or manually enter a suspicious link into their browser. Authorities warn that these are classic examples of “smishing”—SMS phishing—aimed at stealing personal and financial information.
State DMVs and law enforcement agencies stress that legitimate DMVs do not request payments or sensitive information via unsolicited text messages If you receive such a message, do not click any links, reply, or provide any information. Instead, delete the message, report it as spam, and contact your state DMV directly using verified contact information if you have concerns about your account.
Officials urge the public to remain vigilant, especially as scammers ramp up efforts with increasingly convincing messages. Protect yourself and your family by spreading awareness—especially to those who may be less familiar with digital threats.
