Got a text message from the New York DMV lately? Odds are it’s likely a scam.
Officials are warning New Yorkers to keep their eyes peeled on the latest phishing scam circling the rounds right now, fronting as text messages from the NY DMV.
The texts are subjected around demands to pay traffic tickets, and even pose the “threat” of suspending vehicle registrations, licenses, and more.
“These scammers flood phones with these texts, hoping to trick unsuspecting New Yorkers into handing over their personal information,” said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder.
“DMV will not send you texts asking for your personal information.”
What are scam phishing texts and what do they look like?
Phishing texts are fake messages meant to steal your personal information or trick you into downloading harmful software onto your phone or computer.
They’re nothing new, and they come in waves over the course of the time, with a similar one happening months ago claiming New Yorker’s E-ZPass accounts were about to be suspended.
This time around, hackers are posing as the NY DMV claiming an upaid parking ticket and that it’s the “final notice” to pay it before bad things happen.
Subject to “New York State Administrative code 15c-16.003” which doesn’t actually exist, the text claims it will take extreme measures if a payment isn’t received like suspending car registration, revoking drivers license for 30 days, being charged a 35% service fee at toll booths, and even prosecution and impacted driver’s credit score.
Take a look at the screenshot below:
How to avoid these scam texts
The best way to avoid these scam text messages is by being cautious when you receive them, and only interacting with “trusted entities” as the DMV calls them.
“If in doubt, do not click,” their guidelines say.
The main thing to keep in mind is that the DMV will never ask for personal information via text message, so don’t ever send it.
Other things that are dead giveaways that the text is fake include:
- Sent from an international phone number or email as contact
- Poor grammar or spelling
- The use of threats
- Sketchy URLs/links
- Requests to reply with “Y” to receive a link
If you’ve fallen victim to a phishing text, the DMV says you can email a description of the possible phishing event or screenshot to dmv.sm.phishingattacks@dmv.ny.gov.
Also, you can report any kind of fraud to the Federal Trade Commission by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.