Have you received a suspicious text message or email allegedly from the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles?

The Office of Attorney General has received complaints from consumers who received suspicious text messages that are threatening to report a driver to the DMV violation database, suspend your vehicle registration, suspend your driving privileges for 30 days, prosecute you for an unpaid or outstanding traffic ticket, or similar threats. These messages always contain a link to pay. Do not click on the link or copy the link into your browser. These messages are from scammers trying to obtain your personal information or to scare you into paying them.

“It is disappointing to see people trying to scam Pennsylvanians by pretending to be affiliated with the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “PennDOT does not send text messages about traffic violations or fines. Consumers who receive a text message or email from anyone alleging to be from a government agency should reach out to that agency to confirm the authenticity of any such message.”

If you receive this message or a similar message over text or email, you should report the message as spam. Do not click any links in messages you did not request.

If you received this message or email, you may submit a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection online, by calling the Office at 1-800-441-2555, or by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov. Please be sure to include a picture or screenshot of the message you received with the complaint form.