Phones across Texas are lighting up with alarming text messages that look like they are from the DMV, warning that driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations are about to be suspended unless people pay up fast. The language is meant to spike your blood pressure and push you into handing over cash, but state officials are clear: the messages are bogus.
What Texans Are Getting
The wording changes from text to text, but the theme is the same. Many messages threaten license suspension, collections action and steep “administrative” fees. One sample even promised a “3.0-day” suspension and a 55% charge. As reported by MySA, police departments around the state have been posting screenshots of the texts and warning residents not to take the bait.
State Agency Response
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is not mincing words. TxDMV says it does not issue or collect fines for tolls or traffic violations, and it does not reach out to motorists with surprise text messages or unsolicited emails. According to TxDMV, anyone who receives one of these texts should avoid clicking any links, avoid replying and instead report the message through official channels.
Why The Texts Can Look Real
Scammers lean on urgency, spoofed sender IDs and fake websites that imitate government pages to make these texts feel official enough that people are tempted to trust them.
