A wave of fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is targeting drivers across the state. These deceptive messages tell recipients they have unpaid traffic tickets and must pay immediately or risk losing their driver’s license or vehicle registration.
Virginia DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey has issued a clear warning: “The DMV will never send you text messages demanding payment for fines or fees.” This statement confirms what cybersecurity experts have long advised – government agencies typically don’t initiate contact through text messages for payment collection.
The scam texts create a false sense of urgency, often including fake deadlines and threatening language about license suspension, increased fines, or even legal action. This pressure tactic aims to make recipients act quickly without thinking critically.
The text messages include suspicious links that, when clicked, lead to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information. These websites often use domain names that appear legitimate at first glance, mimicking official government URLs but with subtle differences.
Virginia isn’t the only state dealing with this problem. Similar scam texts have been reported in New York, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and several other states, indicating a coordinated nationwide fraud campaign.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends several steps for those who receive these messages:
- Don’t click any links in the message
- Forward the suspicious text to 7726 (SPAM) to help your mobile provider block similar messages
- Delete the message immediately
- Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
If you’re concerned about your actual DMV status, experts recommend contacting the DMV directly through official channels. Visit the official DMV website by typing the address directly into your browser, or call using a phone number you’ve verified independently, not one provided in a suspicious message.
David Brumley, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, emphasizes that the best protection is simple awareness: “If you are unsure if a text is legitimate, call the department or business directly to confirm before taking any further action.”
The rise in these scams highlights the growing sophistication of digital fraud. Scammers are increasingly using “spoofing” techniques to make messages appear to come from legitimate organizations, and crafting messages that exploit people’s fear of legal consequences.
As these scams continue to evolve, staying informed and skeptical of unexpected messages remains the most effective defense against becoming a victim.
