CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles is warning the public about two new text scams claiming to be from the DMV, while the real DMV never collects any payment by text.
“DMV will never text you requesting a payment,” said Commissioner Everett Frazier. “Not today, not next month, it’s not how we conduct business. If a text is demanding payment, that’s not us.”
In one scam, citizens are asked to make immediate payment for traffic citations. In another, they are asked to pay tolls. Neither traffic citations nor tolls are services DMV provides.
If it is a text demanding payment, it is not from DMV.
To determine if a communication from West Virginia DMV is real, the agency says residents should look for deadlines they know in advance, such as when a license or registration is expiring. Sudden deadlines such as tomorrow, today or right now are warning signs.
Residents can confirm communications by calling the DMV at 800-642-9066. The DMV’s website is dmv.wv.gov, and the agency warns residents not to click links in suspicious text messages.
DMV does not text guests for any type of payment, so if a request for payment is received by text, it is a scam. DMV uses texts only when a guest has listed text as a preferred communication method for specific uses, and in those cases, the guest is expecting the text.
“Let your people know,” Frazier said. “Talk to your family members, your co-workers and your neighbors, and let them know to be aware. If they’re not sure, they can always ask us. We’re very passionate about protecting our citizens from scammers such as this.”
If you receive a text claiming to be DMV and asking for payment, do not click any links. Call and report it to the real DMV at 800-642-9066.
