The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has issued a warning about a widespread phishing scam primarily targeting residents through text messages. Fraudsters impersonate Ohio BMV officials, falsely claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets that require immediate payment to avoid license suspension, registration suspension, and even prosecution. These scam texts often cite a fabricated legal code (e.g., "Ohio State State Administrative Code 15C-16.003") and include a suspicious payment link designed to look like an official government website. This scam is designed to trick individuals into providing personal or financial information. The Ohio BMV Registrar, Charlie Norman, confirms that the BMV will never send texts demanding payment or requesting personal information. This scam has also been reported in other states, including Michigan.
Recommendations on Steps to Prevent This Scam:
Do Not Click Links & Delete: Immediately delete any text message claiming to be from the Ohio BMV (or any similar agency) that demands payment or threatens license suspension. Do not click on any links within these messages.
BMV Will Not Text for Payment: Understand that the Ohio BMV does not send text messages demanding payment for traffic tickets or requesting personal information. Official communication for such matters typically comes via physical mail.
Verify Through Official Channels ONLY: If you receive a suspicious message and are concerned, do not use any contact information provided in the text. Instead, independently look up the official Ohio BMV website or phone number (e.g., via a trusted search engine) and contact them directly to verify.
Recognize Fake Legal Codes: Be suspicious of specific "legal codes" cited in a text, especially if they are unfamiliar or don't sound right.
Report the Scam: Report receiving these fraudulent messages to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at
reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you have fallen victim and provided information or money, also contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.
Online Resources:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
reportfraud.ftc.gov(for reporting scams) andconsumer.ftc.gov(for general scam information and tips).Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV): Visit the official Ohio BMV website for legitimate information and contact details. They often post scam warnings directly on their site.
Michigan Department of Attorney General: (For residents in Michigan who encounter similar scams, as mentioned in the article).
Advice for Caregivers to their Parents about these Scams:
Explain "Phishing Texts": Clearly describe how scammers send fake text messages that look like they're from official places like the Ohio BMV. Emphasize that these texts are designed to scare them.
The "BMV Doesn't Text for Tickets" Rule: Make it crystal clear that the BMV (or any state's DMV/DOT) will never send texts demanding immediate payment for traffic tickets, threatening license suspension, or asking for personal information via text message.
"Never Click Links, Just Delete": Strongly advise them to never click on any links in suspicious texts. The safest action is to immediately delete such messages.
How to Verify (The Safe Way): Teach them that if they receive a text like this and are worried, they should not respond or use any phone numbers/links from the text. Instead, they should contact the official Ohio BMV directly by looking up its phone number or website from a trusted source (like a recent utility bill, official government website, or by asking you).
Encourage Openness & Sharing: Create an environment where your parents feel comfortable and safe showing you any suspicious texts or calls they receive before they act on them. Reassure them that these scams are very sophisticated and designed to trick anyone.
Set Up Text Message Filters/Blocks: If they are comfortable, help them enable any spam filtering or blocking features available on their mobile phone to reduce the number of scam texts they receive.
