DMV Warns of Fraudulent Text Scam Asking for Toll Payments

Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
April 29, 2025

Customers should not respond to deceptive text messages

Lo que necesita saber: californianos report receiving deceptive text messages that appear to come from the DMV warning that the customer has failed to pay a toll. The DMV will never send a text message to ask for personal or financial information. If you receive one, do not open or reply to it.

Sacramento — The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is warning Californians not to respond to texts that appear to be from the DMV asking them to pay for outstanding tolls. The DMV wants customers to know that it will never reach out by text to ask for payment or personal information.

The current scam makes the text look like a DMV notice that claims that the recipient has unpaid toll fees and threatens charges or penalties if they are not paid immediately through a provided link. The included link leads to fake payment pages designed to steal customers’ financial information.

SMS text message. Example of fraudulent toll payment collection.
Sample of a fraudulent text message customers have received on their cell phone.

“The best way to protect yourself is to always use the DMV website or call our contact center to interact with us,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “Remember that legitimate government agencies will rarely contact you by text for sensitive matters.”

Take these steps to reduce the chances of falling victim to a text message scam:

  • Never respond to unsolicited or suspicious texts — If you receive a message asking for personal or financial information, do not reply.
  • Verify the source — If you are unsure, always contact the DMV through official channels.
  • Si tiene alguna pregunta llame al DMV. — The DMV customer service team is available to help you at 800-777-0133.

Antes de ir a una oficina- Primero intente en línea

El DMV ha tomado varias medidas para ofrecer más servicios digitales. La mayoría de los trámites del DMV no requieren una visita a la oficina, incluidas algunas transacciones simples de autoservicio que ya no están disponibles en las oficinas. El DMV invita a los clientes a utilizar los servicios en línea y otros medios de servicio para completar transacciones, como pueden ser renovaciones elegibles de licencias de manejo y registro de vehículos. Los clientes también pueden usar el Asesor de Servicios en el sitio web del DMV para conocer sus opciones y completar trámites del DMV.

Para recibir notificaciones eléctronicas sobre renovaciones de registro de vehículos y licencias de manejo, los clientes pueden optar por este servicio al crear una cuenta segura en línea y registrándose en dmv.ca.gov y luego inscribirse.

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