INDIANAPOLIS – Scammers posing as the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles are sending text messages to Hoosiers with fraudulent claims of unpaid traffic violations. These messages falsely claim that enforcement penalties, including license suspension and vehicle registration holds, will begin if payment is not received immediately.
The scam messages often use urgent language and cite specific sections of the Indiana Code to appear legitimate. They direct recipients to click a link to a website designed to mimic the official BMV portal. State officials clarify that the BMV does not send SMS text messages regarding outstanding penalties or collect the specific fees outlined in these fraudulent alerts.
Common signs of a scam
According to digital security experts, several red flags can help identify these fraudulent messages. Scammers typically create a sense of urgency by setting immediate deadlines and threatening severe consequences like legal action or credit score damage. The website links in these texts often look similar to official addresses but do not end in the legitimate .gov domain.
Another key indicator is the method of contact. Official correspondence regarding legal matters or citations is almost exclusively handled through the U.S. mail. Messages sent from out-of-state area codes or international numbers claiming to represent a local Indiana agency should be considered suspicious.
What to do and what not to do
If you receive a suspicious text message, do not click on any links or provide personal information such as your Social Security number or bank account details. Clicking these links can lead to malicious websites that may install malware on your device or steal your login credentials. You should also avoid replying to the message, even to “confirm receipt” as requested by the scammer, as this confirms your phone number is active.
The best course of action is to ignore and delete the message immediately. If you are concerned about the status of your driving record or believe you may have an actual outstanding citation, you should contact the BMV directly through an official channel. Residents can verify their records by logging in to their account on the official website, myBMV.com, or by calling the BMV.
