Cybercriminals are at it again—this time pretending to be the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you’ve recently received a text message saying you must pay a traffic fine immediately, be careful—it’s a scam.
How the Scam Works
The text message claims you owe a traffic fine and warns that if you don’t pay by a certain date, your vehicle registration will be suspended and you could lose your driving privileges. Some versions even go as far as saying you’ll go to jail or that your credit score will be damaged if you don’t pay.
The message includes a link and urges you to click it to pay your fine. But here’s the truth:
- These texts are not from the DMV.
- The “fine” is completely fake.
- If you click the link and pay, your money goes directly to cybercriminals.
This type of scam is called smishing (SMS phishing)—a tactic that uses fake text messages to trick you into giving away money or personal information.
How to Protect Yourself
Here are a few steps to keep you safe from this scam—and others like it:
- Slow down. Scammers want you to act fast. If a message says “pay immediately or else,” that’s a red flag.
- Know the DMV’s practices. The DMV will not send you a text message demanding payment or personal information.
- Check official sources. If you’re unsure about a fine or payment, visit your local DMV’s official website or call their published phone number.
- Think before you click. Never click on links in suspicious texts. Delete the message right away.
Final Thoughts
Cybercriminals rely on fear and urgency to get people to act without thinking. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and always verify through official channels.
At Chambers Bank, your security matters to us. If you think you’ve clicked on a suspicious link or shared personal banking information with a scammer, contact us right away.
Together, we can outsmart the scammers.