Received a text about an Alabama DMV traffic ticket? Here’s how to tell it’s a scam

Local county officials are reminding the public to keep an eye out for scammers claiming to be the Alabama DMV and demanding payment for outstanding traffic ticket fines.

What to know about the recent scams

The texts, which have surged in the last several weeks but happen year round, may claim to be the Alabama DMV or a municipal court. They may prompt recipients to tap a link or scan a QR code to submit payment information.

These are called “phishing” scams or attacks, and they allow scammers to steal passwords, payment information, Social Security numbers and more. Learn more about how to recognize phishing on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.

How to catch a scam text, email or call

If you get a text, email or call claiming to be a government agency or department, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. These entities do NOT communicate legal notices or threaten prosecution via text. If you aren’t sure if a communication is official, reach out directly to the agency or department to verify. Do NOT use any contact info from the text itself.
2. The “Alabama Department of Vehicles (DMV)” does not exist. The Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR) manages vehicle registration, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) handles driver licensing. Neither will text you about unpaid traffic tickets.
3. Official government websites will almost always have .gov at the end of URLs. Many of the scam URLs in these texts do not end in .gov or .org. For example, one scam url appears as https://mydmv.alabama-govlv.today/us, but there are many variations.
4. These texts will often cite an Alabama State Code that does not exist, such as “Alabama State Administrative Code 15C-16.003.” This is used as a scare tactic to make the text feel urgent.
5. The name of the recipient isn’t generally included in the text, which is a sign of a scam. However, if a text or call includes your name but still feels suspicious, trust your gut.
6. Never scan QR codes or follow links from suspicious texts or emails. QR codes may look genuine, but they can redirect you to fake websites designed to steal your personal information.

Local officials warn residents

Both Jefferson and Shelby counties (in addition to other counties across the state) have issued notices to let locals know that they do not text unsolicited text messages threatening prosecution or requesting personal information or payment.

If you suspect you are the recipient of a fraudulent government communication, you can report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

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