Across the United States, motorists are being targeted by a surge of sophisticated text message scams impersonating state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs), warning of unpaid traffic violations and threatening penalties to coerce victims into handing over personal and financial information. On June 3, 2025, multiple state DMVs, police departments, and cybersecurity experts issued urgent alerts to warn citizens about these phishing schemes that have swept through several states, including North Carolina, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and beyond.
In North Carolina, drivers began receiving alarming text messages that claim to be from the North Carolina DMV. These texts falsely assert that recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and cite a specific section of the North Carolina Administrative Code, threatening suspension of vehicle registration and driving privileges within 30 days if payment is not made promptly. The scam text urges recipients to pay $6.99 within 12 hours for an unsettled toll charge, directing them to a fraudulent website with a URL closely mimicking the official North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) site. The deception is designed to look convincing, with the scammers going so far as to replicate official government web addresses to lure victims.
Steve Grobman, Chief Technology Officer for cybersecurity firm McAfee, explained the motivation behind these scams: "It's either your personal information that can then be sold on the dark web, or in some cases it's more direct where they're trying to get your credit card or debit card, and then they can try to use that to make a purchase and ultimately you're then stuck fighting that with your credit card or debit card company on the other side." Despite ongoing warnings, these scam texts continue to proliferate, preying on unsuspecting drivers.
The North Carolina DMV has made it clear on its official website that it is aware of multiple fraudulent text scams and emphatically states it never requests payment via text messages. Recipients of these scam texts are advised not to respond, to block the sender, and to report the messages to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
Similar scams have been reported in Rhode Island, where the Division of Motor Vehicles issued a warning about a spike in texts falsely claiming to be from the DMV. These messages use scare tactics, warning of license suspensions and legal penalties for unpaid violations, and demand immediate payment. Rhode Island DMV Administrator Walter R. Craddock highlighted the manipulative nature of these scams, stating, "Scammers are continually preying on people's fears to manipulate them into revealing personal and financial information." Residents are urged to verify their driving status only through official channels and to avoid engaging with suspicious texts or clicking on any links.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Division of Motor Vehicles (WisDOT) also reported a wave of phishing scams beginning in early June 2025. Scammers impersonate WisDOT, sending texts warning of "final notices" or unspecified unpaid traffic violations. Some messages even mimic the visual style of official WisDOT communications to enhance their credibility. Tina Braddy, DMV Bureau of Driver Services Director, noted that several states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York, were hit with this scam just prior to Wisconsin, which appears to be the next target. To combat this, WisDOT recommends vigilance against urgent money demands, avoidance of sharing personal information with unsolicited contacts, and signing up for their eNotify service to receive legitimate account activity alerts.
Victims of these scams in Wisconsin are encouraged to file police reports, report incidents to the FTC and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), consult AARP’s Fraud Watch Helpline, and request free credit reports to monitor potential identity theft.
In Connecticut, the Department of Motor Vehicles and several local police departments have joined the chorus of warnings. Residents have received texts claiming to be from the DMV about violations or toll fees, which are fraudulent. The Connecticut DMV explicitly states it does not contact residents about violations or toll fees via text or phone calls. Police departments across New Milford, Thomaston, Watertown, and Wolcott have identified telltale signs of these scams, such as messages sent from suspicious email addresses, false claims about reporting to the DMV, urgent payment demands, and references to non-existent legal codes like the "Northern Connecticut State Administrative Code" or "CT general statute code of 15C-16.003." State police advise residents not to click on any links in these texts, as doing so could expose them to financial theft or personal data compromise.
Hartford police reinforced these warnings, emphasizing that neither the DMV nor law enforcement will send text messages about outstanding traffic tickets. They recommend that residents who suspect a message might be legitimate contact their state DMV directly using trusted contact information. The Federal Trade Commission advises victims to forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM), report spam through their messaging apps, and file complaints with the FTC and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
This nationwide wave of scams underscores the persistent threat posed by cybercriminals exploiting modern communication methods and the public’s trust in government institutions. Authorities across states are working to raise awareness and provide resources to help consumers detect and avoid these phishing attempts. As Tina Braddy from Wisconsin’s DMV put it, "We want to protect our residents, so we are quickly issuing this alert to ensure fewer fall victim to these scams."
With these scams evolving rapidly, experts urge the public to remain cautious. Never respond to unsolicited texts demanding payment or personal information. Always verify any suspicious communication directly with official DMV websites or customer service lines. And remember, legitimate government agencies do not request payments or sensitive information via text messages.
For those who receive these scam texts, reporting them is crucial. Forwarding messages to 7726 (SPAM) helps wireless providers block similar scams. Filing complaints with the FTC and FBI’s IC3 assists law enforcement in tracking and combating these fraudulent operations. Victims should also consider monitoring their credit reports and consulting fraud support services to mitigate potential damage.
As these scams continue to target drivers nationwide, staying informed and vigilant remains the best defense against falling prey to these deceptive schemes.
