Fraudsters are flooding phones with fake violation notices designed to scare and steal. Drivers across Texas have reported receiving alarming messages that falsely claim to be from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) or similarly named agencies.
These texts often threaten immediate prosecution, suspension of vehicle registration or loss of driving privileges due to unpaid traffic tickets, toll violations or other infractions. They typically include a link urging recipients to pay fines immediately to avoid further penalties. These scams are designed to steal personal and financial information.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is not a law enforcement agency and does not issue or collect fines for toll or traffic violations. It also does not communicate about alleged registration violations through unsolicited text messages.
How the scam works
You receive what looks like an urgent text message from the DMV. The text states this is your “final notice” that you have an outstanding traffic ticket and that it must be paid soon to avoid penalties. The text outlines various serious penalties like being reported to the DMV violation database, suspension of your vehicle registration, suspended driving privileges, prosecution, damaged credit scores, paying additional fees and more.
The Better Business Bureau has received reports of these text message scams to BBB Scam Tracker. One consumer shared this message:
“Texas Department of Motor Vehicles final notice: According to our records, the traffic violation associated with your account remains unresolved. This is a final reminder that payment has not been received. In accordance with Texas Code Title 9 Motor Vehicles section 9-18-2-7, if full payment is not submitted by February 25, 2026, the following enforcement actions will be initiated….”
If you receive a suspicious message:
• Do not click any links.
• Do not reply or share personal information.
• Report the message to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov or the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.
The Lakelander 