DMV Scam Text: How to Spot Fake DMV Texts & What to Do

The DMV scam text is one of the most widely received scam texts in America — generating more than 26,000 combined monthly searches from people alarmed by a text claiming to be from their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. It is also one of the most effective scams because it exploits a universally shared obligation: every driver must keep their license and registration valid, and the consequences of not doing so are real.

If you received a text claiming to be from the DMV, your state’s BMV, or TxDMV — keep reading. This page covers every major variant and tells you exactly what to do.

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What DMV Scam Texts Look Like

The Basic Registration Scam

“CA DMV: Your vehicle registration has been flagged for non-renewal. Update your information to avoid license suspension: [link]”

“Texas DMV: Your vehicle registration expired. Pay the renewal fee to avoid penalties: [link]”

“DMV: Action required on your driver’s license. Click here to prevent suspension: [link]”

The “Final Notice” Variant

“DMV FINAL NOTICE: Your driver’s license is scheduled for suspension in 24 hours. This is your last opportunity to resolve the outstanding issue: [link]”

The “final notice” framing creates extreme urgency. It is entirely fabricated.

The Ticket / Violation Scam

“DMV: An unpaid ticket associated with your vehicle registration has been flagged. Pay now to avoid additional penalties: [link]”

“TxDMV: Your vehicle has an outstanding citation. Failure to resolve may result in registration hold: [link]”

The Title Scam

“DMV: Your vehicle title has an error that must be corrected. Failure to update may affect your ability to sell or transfer the vehicle: [link]”

The FBI Warning Variant

“FBI-NOTICE: Your driving record has been flagged by the DMV. Call [number] immediately.”

This variant combines government impersonation of both the FBI and DMV for maximum alarm.

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How to Know the DMV Text Is Fake

Does your state’s DMV actually text you?

Some state DMVs do send text messages — primarily for appointment reminders and opt-in renewal notifications for people who have signed up for them. However, no state DMV sends unsolicited texts demanding immediate payment or threatening license suspension. If you have not signed up for DMV text notifications, any DMV text is almost certainly a scam.

The link goes to a non-government domain.

All legitimate U.S. government websites use .gov domains. A real DMV text would link to your state’s official .gov site (e.g., dmv.ca.gov, txdmv.gov). Any link to a .com, .net, .org, or any domain that isn’t your state’s official .gov address is fraudulent.

Your license and registration are actually current.

Most people receiving DMV scam texts have perfectly valid licenses and current registrations. The scam is mass-blasted — it doesn’t know your registration status.

You can verify your registration status directly.

Every state’s DMV has an online portal where you can check your vehicle registration and license status. Go to your state’s official DMV .gov website directly (type the address — don’t use the link from the text) and check. If nothing is wrong, the text was a scam.

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State-Specific DMV Scam Variants

The DMV scam text is highly state-targeted, with scammers generating state-specific variants to increase believability:

California (CA DMV): 1.3K monthly searches — “CA DMV” or “California DMV” branding, often referencing vehicle registration or license plate issues.

Texas (TxDMV / Texas DMV): Over 2K monthly combined searches — “TxDMV,” “Texas DMV,” or “TXDMV” branding, referencing registration or title issues.

Ohio (Ohio BMV): 700 combined monthly searches — Ohio uses “BMV” (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) rather than DMV; scams impersonate “Ohio BMV.”

Oregon DMV: 900 monthly searches — state-specific “Oregon DMV” branding.

The FBI has issued specific warnings about DMV impersonation scam texts, noting that these campaigns are large enough and consistent enough to constitute coordinated criminal operations.

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What to Do If You Received a DMV Scam Text

Do not click the link. Do not call any phone number in the text.

Check your actual registration status through your state’s official .gov website. If your registration or license is current, the text was definitively a scam.

If you’re unsure whether your registration is current: use your state’s DMV website (not the link in the text) to check. You can also call your state DMV using the number listed on their official .gov website.

Report the text:

Forward to 7726 (SPAM).

Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Report to your state attorney general’s consumer protection division.

Block the sender. Delete the text.

If you clicked the link and entered payment card information:

Contact your bank or card issuer immediately. Request new card numbers. Review recent transactions.

If you clicked and entered your driver’s license number or personal information:

Monitor your credit and consider a fraud alert. Report to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the DMV send text messages?

A: Some state DMVs do send texts, but only to people who have opted in to text notifications and only for specific purposes like appointment reminders. No state DMV sends unsolicited texts demanding immediate payment or threatening license suspension. If you haven’t signed up for DMV texts, any DMV text should be treated as suspicious.

Q: What happens if I ignore the DMV scam text?

A: Nothing. The threats in the scam text — license suspension, fines, legal action — are fabricated. Ignoring a scam text has no real-world consequences. Your actual license and registration are unaffected.

Q: The text said it was from the FBI and the DMV. Is that possible?

A: No. The FBI does not send text messages about DMV issues. This is a particularly alarming variant designed to combine the authority of two government agencies. It is a scam. Report it to reportfraud.ftc.gov and to ic3.gov.

→ Back to Pillar: https://www.scammed.org/text-scams/