In recent months, residents across many states have been targeted by a surge in scam text messages impersonating various state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These fake texts claim that your license is suspended, that you owe fees, or that your DMV record needs urgent verification. The real goal? To trick you into clicking malicious links and stealing your personal or financial information.
As Certified Fraud Examiners, we’ve seen this playbook before—only the branding changes. Whether it’s posing as the IRS, a bank, or the DMV, scammers rely on urgency, fear, and official-looking messages to make you act without thinking.
Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself and how these scams operate behind the scenes.
🚨 How the DMV Scam Text Works
These fraudulent messages typically include:
- A false alert: “DMV Alert: Your license has been suspended. Click here to verify.”
- A link to a fake website, often mimicking a state government portal.
- Urgency: “You have 24 hours to respond or face penalties.”
Once you click the link, the fraudulent site may prompt you to enter:
- Full name and date of birth
- Driver’s license or state ID number
- Social Security number
- Payment information
These details are then harvested for identity theft, bank fraud, or resold on the dark web.
🧠 The Fraudster’s Playbook: Why It Works
This scam succeeds because:
- The DMV is a trusted agency that interacts with nearly every adult in the U.S.
- The messages look authentic, sometimes including state seals or official formatting.
- Many people are genuinely unsure of their DMV status, especially if they recently moved, changed insurance, or renewed registration online.
These vulnerabilities give fraudsters an open door to exploit.
✅ What You Should Never Do
- Do NOT click on suspicious links, even if the message looks official.
- Do NOT provide personal or payment information via text message or email.
- Do NOT call back unfamiliar numbers listed in the message.
Instead, if you’re unsure about the status of your license or vehicle registration, go directly to your state DMV’s website or call a verified number.
🔍 Fraud Examiner’s Tips: How to Stay Ahead of the Scammers
As Certified Fraud Examiners, we recommend the following best practices:
- Freeze Your Credit: Especially if you’ve already clicked a suspicious link. A credit freeze can stop thieves from opening new accounts in your name.
- Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA): For your email, banking, and any account that holds sensitive data.
- Check URLs Carefully: Legitimate DMV websites end in “.gov.” Scam links often use similar names with .org, .net, or misspellings.
- Report Suspicious Messages:
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
- File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Notify your state DMV or Attorney General’s office.
- Educate Your Circle: These scams often target older adults or those less tech-savvy. Share this information widely.
📊 Final Thoughts from a CFE Perspective
Fraud thrives in moments of uncertainty and convenience. As technology evolves, so do scam tactics. Fraudsters count on you being too busy, too stressed, or too trusting to double-check. But just one moment of caution can prevent years of damage.
At JVFS, we specialize in forensic investigations, fraud risk assessments, and training organizations to detect and prevent schemes like these. If you believe you’ve been compromised by a phishing scam or suspect identity theft, contact a Certified Fraud Examiner immediately. Quick action is your best defense.
Need help investigating fraud or tightening your organization’s fraud controls?
Contact us for a confidential consultation.
Stay vigilant. Stay skeptical. Stay protected.
Janicek Valuation & Forensic Services, PLLC 