Officials warn of scam text from nonexistent Ohio ‘DMV’

MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio (WOWK) – A text scam going around West Virginia and Kentucky has now made its way to Ohio.

According to the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, deputies have received multiple reports of a scam text claiming to be a final notice from the “Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles.” Sheriff Scott Fitch pointed out that one way to know this text is, in fact, a scam is that in the Buckeye State, the department is known as the “Bureau of Motor Vehicles,” or “BMV.”

“This is a scam and a pitiful attempt by whomever is behind it to take your hard-earned money. In Ohio, there is no such thing as a ‘Department of Motor Vehicles.’ In Ohio, it is referred to as the ‘Bureau of Motor Vehicles,'” Fitch said.

However, the Ohio Department of Public Safety also announced Monday that they were receiving similar reports of scams, showing a text that called the department the “Ohio Department of Vehicles (BMV).”

The Ohio Department of Public Safety says there have been reports of this particular phishing scam nationwide, and the goal is to trick drivers into giving up their personal or financial information to the scammers.

The texts claim that the recipient has an outstanding traffic ticket that needs to be paid by a specified date and lists “actions” that will be taken if they don’t, such as suspending the recipient’s license, vehicle registration and prosecution.

Authorities and department officials urge residents not to click the link in the text, as this is not true and none of these will happen. Officials with the BMV say they will never send a text that demands payment or personal information.

“If you receive this text, do not fall for this scam,” said Ohio BMV Registrar Charlie Norman. “Do not click any links and delete the text. Ohio BMV will never send you a text demanding payment or requesting personal information.”

The BMV says anyone who receives the text can report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission online.