Officials in Oregon are warning residents about a growing phishing scam in which people receive fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the state’s driver licensing agency.
The scam messages appear to come from Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services, a division of the Oregon Department of Transportation. The texts typically warn recipients about an alleged unpaid traffic ticket or toll and demand immediate payment.
According to DMV spokesperson Chris Crabb, the messages have become increasingly common, with even agency employees receiving them. She said the department has issued multiple alerts to residents through its GovDelivery notification system.
Some of the texts begin with phrases such as “Oregon DMV — Final Enforcement Notice” or “DMV driving privilege notice,” threatening penalties if the recipient does not pay immediately. The messages claim consequences such as driver’s license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, additional late fees and possible credit score damage.
State officials stress that the messages are fraudulent and urge people to delete them without clicking any links.
Authorities say the DMV and transportation department will never request payment through unsolicited text messages, emails, phone calls or third-party websites.
Residents who are unsure whether a message is legitimate can contact the agency directly using official phone numbers. Officials also advise anyone who clicked on the scam link and entered personal or financial information to secure their financial accounts, monitor for suspicious charges and file a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice.
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