Residents all over Texas have become the target of a new scam going around by text. The message claims to be from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and warns about an outstanding traffic violation, with a link to pay.
At a glance, a text message like this might appear to be legitimate, however there are some key issues with the text message that show it’s fraudulent. First off, the TxDMV does not issue or administer traffic citations. Secondly, the TxDMV or any other government agency will not send an unsolicited text message to a resident, with the exception of emergency alerts.
Another clear sign this text message is a scam meant to steal your information or money is the link it provides. Legitimate state and federal government websites always end with a .gov address, short for “government.” At first glance, the link in the message might appear to include .gov, but a closer look reveals it actually ends with .win—a red flag indicating it is not an official government site.
Residents who have received a text message like this are urged to delete it and report it as junk, if applicable. The Federal Trade Commission is asking residents to report this and other scams to the ReportFraud.ftc.gov website.