The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has issued multiple warnings about a “smishing” (SMS phishing) scam targeting residents. These fraudulent text messages are designed to trick you into giving up personal and financial information.
How to Identify an Ohio BMV Scam Text
According to the Ohio BMV, the scam texts have several common characteristics:
The Content:
- They often claim you have an outstanding traffic ticket, an unpaid fine, or a license suspension. The message typically creates a sense of urgency, threatening legal action or license suspension if you don’t pay immediately.
The Link:
- The text will contain a malicious link to a fake, or “spoofed,” website. The BMV states that it will never send you a text with a link asking for payment or personal information. The fraudulent URLs often have suspicious domains like “.me” or “.com” and are not the official Ohio BMV domain (
bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov).
- The text will contain a malicious link to a fake, or “spoofed,” website. The BMV states that it will never send you a text with a link asking for payment or personal information. The fraudulent URLs often have suspicious domains like “.me” or “.com” and are not the official Ohio BMV domain (
The Tone:
- The language can be threatening and may contain spelling or grammatical errors.
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What to Do If You Receive a Scam Text
Do NOT Click the Link:
- This is the most important step. Clicking the link can lead to a website that steals your information or installs malware on your device.
Do NOT Respond:
- Do not reply to the message, even if it’s to tell the sender to stop. Responding confirms that your phone number is active.
Delete the Text:
- Delete the message immediately to prevent accidentally clicking on it later.
How to Report the Scam
It is crucial to report these scams to help prevent others from falling victim.
Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
- This is the primary federal agency for reporting fraud. You can file a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office:
- You can also report the scam to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office by visiting their website at OhioProtects.org or by calling 1-800-282-0515.
Report to Local Law Enforcement:
- If you have been a victim and believe your information has been compromised, contact your local police department to file a report.
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