There’s another phishing text scam New Yorkers need to be aware of. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is warning residents of scammers posing as the department to try to get their hands on your personal information.
“These scammers flood phones with these texts, hoping to trick unsuspecting New Yorkers into handing over their personal information,” DMV commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder said. “DMV will not send you texts asking for your personal information.”
Here’s what to know.
Phishing texts are deceptive messages that attempt to access your data or personal information to then be used to commit identity theft or trick you into installing malicious software onto your computer or mobile device, the DMV says.
Recent examples include the E-Z Pass and Tolls By Mail scam messages, which requested sensitive personal information.
Scammers in the latest phishing attack affecting New Yorkers pretend to be the state DMV and tell you that you have an outstanding traffic ticket and if you don’t pay it by a certain date, you’ll be subject to a number of consequences, including the suspension of your registration and driving privileges, according to an example provided by the DMV.
Here’s what you should be looking out for:
Over 170 phishing scams were reported in the Rochester, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse regions in 2024, according to the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York. Here’s what the New York State Department of Information Technology Services recommends you do to stay safe from phishing attacks:
The DMV says to email a description of the possible phishing event or screenshot to [email protected].
You can also report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Emily Barnes on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at [email protected].

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