Overview

• The FBI confirmed an official probe into a wave of fake DMV texts that threaten to suspend driving privileges unless victims make payments.
• Guardio’s data shows a 773% jump in these smishing messages in early June.
• Organized crime syndicates overseas deploy AI-driven systems to send thousands of phishing texts per hour that impersonate state DMV notifications.
• Scam messages often reference vague traffic offenses or unpaid registrations and use URLs resembling official government domains to trick recipients.
• State DMVs in New York and Oregon and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes have issued official alerts, and Senator Tina Smith has urged a coordinated federal response.