Greg's Corner

Beware the DMV Text Scam Demanding Payment for Tickets

By Greg Collier

A new wave of scam text messages is sweeping across multiple states, and they all follow the same script.

The message claims you owe money for a traffic violation, toll, or parking ticket. It warns of penalties if you do not act immediately. It includes a link or QR code to “pay” the fine.

The problem is that the entire thing is fake.

Officials in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Virginia have all issued warnings about nearly identical text message scams targeting drivers. Authorities say the messages are designed to scare people into making quick payments or handing over sensitive financial information.

This is another example of a growing scam category known as smishing, which is phishing conducted through SMS text messages.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans reported $470 million lost to text-message scams in 2024 alone.

What’s Going On

The scam begins with a text message claiming to be from a government agency connected to driving or traffic enforcement. The message usually says the recipient has an unpaid traffic ticket, toll violation, or parking citation.

The text often warns of serious consequences if payment is not made immediately. These threats can include license suspension, vehicle registration penalties, court action, or additional administrative fees.

In New Hampshire, officials say scammers are sending messages claiming to be from the state DMV warning about “unresolved traffic violations.” The texts threaten registration suspension and civil penalties if payment is not made through a link embedded in the message.

In Pennsylvania, scammers are pretending to be the Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division, telling victims they must appear in court over unpaid Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls. Some of the messages include QR codes directing victims to payment pages.

In Connecticut, the Department of Motor Vehicles warned residents about texts claiming they owe money for traffic citations or parking tickets. The messages threaten penalties ranging from license suspension to criminal prosecution.

Meanwhile in Virginia, residents have reported similar messages claiming to be from the DMV demanding payment for unpaid tickets. Officials there say the agency will never send text messages requesting fines or financial information.

Across all four states, authorities emphasize the same point: these messages are fraudulent.

Scam Breakdown

The scammers rely on a simple formula that has proven effective.

First, they impersonate a trusted authority. Government agencies like DMVs, courts, and toll authorities are familiar to drivers and carry an automatic sense of legitimacy.

Next, they introduce urgency. The message warns that a penalty is imminent unless the recipient acts immediately.

Finally, they provide a convenient solution. A link or QR code supposedly allows the recipient to quickly resolve the problem by paying the alleged fine.

Cybersecurity experts say this combination of authority and urgency is a classic scam tactic designed to bypass a person’s normal skepticism.

The goal is simple. If a victim clicks the link, scammers can collect payment information, personal data, or login credentials.

Red Flags

Even though the messages are designed to look official, they often contain clues that something is wrong.

Many victims report the texts coming from out-of-state phone numbers or unfamiliar senders rather than official government contact channels.

Some messages include website links that attempt to mimic official government sites by including terms like “DMV” in the URL. However, these domains are not legitimate government websites.

Another major warning sign is the request for immediate payment through a text message. Government agencies typically communicate violations through mail or official online portals, not unsolicited text links.

Officials across multiple states have also made it clear that their agencies do not request payments or sensitive personal information via text message.

What You Should Do

If you receive one of these messages, authorities recommend deleting it and not clicking any links.

Consumers who are unsure whether a message is legitimate should independently look up the official contact information for the agency involved and verify the claim directly.

Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to a scam should consider reporting it to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.

Final Thoughts

This latest scam wave shows how criminals constantly adapt their tactics to exploit everyday anxieties. Nearly everyone who drives has worried about an unpaid toll or forgotten ticket at some point.

Scammers are counting on that moment of uncertainty.

If a message claims you owe money for a traffic violation and demands immediate payment through a text link, the safest assumption is simple.

It is almost certainly a scam.