OHIO, USA — A text message scam has taken on a new look as it continues to circulate across the nation.
The updated message is more convincing than the previous version, which prompted an alert earlier this month from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and other agencies nationwide.
RELATED: Did you get this text claiming to be from your state BMV? It’s a scam.
The previous Ohio BMV scam alert described the text message as a “phishing attempt that is being reported by drivers nationwide and is designed to trick residents into giving up personal or financial information.”
Multiple members of the WTOL 11 team received the new text on Tuesday.
The reworded text, which corrects some errors in the previous text that were a clear indicator of being a scam, was sent from a phone number of +1 (343) 922-3629. Like in the previous text, the phone number originates from outside the United States — this time being Canada.
The body of the text itself contains several randomly bolded words and claims to be a “final alert” for “an outstanding traffic ticket,” sent by the non-existent “Ohio DMV.”
The text states that fines will begin on June 24, the day the text was received, and threatens penalties under the fake “Ohio Administrative Code 15C-16.003” if payment is not made by June 25.
The exact same administrative code is cited in text messages sent to drivers across the nation, with Ohio swapped for whatever state is local for drivers.
The new text outlines five steps that will be taken if payment is not received. It concludes with a repeated threat of legal consequences, “including law enforcement, Supreme Court involvement, and license revocation” if payment is not made as soon as possible. The provided link to pay differs from the first text and does not come from a recognizable URL.
For one member of the WTOL 11 team, the text was sent in a group message, which included two other unfamiliar numbers within our local 419 area code. The initial fraudulent message and the latest version were both received around the same time, at 10:55 a.m.
“This is a scam designed to steal your personal or financial information,” said Ohio BMV Registrar Charlie Norman, at the time of the first scam alert. “Do not click any links and delete the text. Ohio BMV will never send you a text demanding payment or requesting your personal information.”
The scam is part of a broader phishing campaign affecting drivers nationwide.
In Michigan, billboards warn drivers of the fraudulent texts. The Michigan Department of Transportation also warned about a similar version of the scam in April, centered around claims of unpaid tolls.
The BMV urges anyone who receives such a message to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Individuals who believe they may have fallen victim to the scam should contact their local law enforcement agency.
The full text of the phishing attempt is below, including words bolded as received in the message.
The Ohio DMV is issuing a final alert: Fines will start on June 24th. Our records indicate that you have an outstanding traffic ticket. As per Ohio Administrative Code 15C-16.003, if the payment is not made by June 25, 2025, the following steps will be taken:
1. Your violation will be reported to the motor vehicle administration’s database
2. Your vehicle registration will be suspended on June 25th
3. Your driving privileges will be revoked for 30 days
4. An additional 35% service fee will be added at the toll station
5. You may face legal prosecution and a negative impact on your credit score
Immediate payment:
https://t.ly/jd1vf?CxD=Cz1Kz2?FhR=Ld5Wp7
To prevent legal consequences, including law enforcement, Supreme Court involvement, and license revocation, please make the payment as soon as possible.
🚨 It looks more real—but it’s the same dangerous scam. A new wave of fraudulent text messages is hitting phones nationwide, claiming to be a “final alert” from your state’s DMV. This version is cleaner, scarier, and now threatens Supreme Court involvement if you don’t pay. Here’s what makes this version even more convincing—and how to protect yourself. #TextScamAlert #DMVScam #PhishingWarning #ProtectYourInfo @Sophia Perricone
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