In a recent public alert, Milwaukee County Supervisor Deanna Alexander raised concerns about a surge of scam text messages falsely claiming to be from the Wisconsin DMV and targeting local drivers. According to Milwaukee County, the scammers use threats—such as license suspension, legal action, or damage to credit scores—to pressure recipients into making payments through a suspicious online link.
The scam is deceptively straightforward: a text message claiming to be from the Wisconsin DMV appears on your phone, threatening serious consequences if you fail to act. However, the Wisconsin DMV and law enforcement officials have identified key indicators that expose these messages as fraudulent. These include demands for immediate payment, prompts for recipients to respond, and messages traced to international numbers—one of which originated from the Philippines (+63 910 370 5724).
These types of messages are not part of the Wisconsin DMV’s official communication practices. The agency has emphasized that it does not issue citations or request payments via text message.
Supervisor Alexander’s office has outlined a straightforward, proactive approach to help the community protect against these scams: First, delete the message—it’s a digital scam with no legitimacy. Second, do not engage—avoid clicking links or responding. Third, help protect vulnerable individuals, especially seniors, by informing them of common scam tactics. Lastly, report suspicious messages to law enforcement promptly to aid in tracking and preventing further incidents.
