The Oregon Department of Transportation is warning the public of ongoing Oregon DMV scams.
According to ODOT, this nationwide scam, which began as a toll phishing scam, has been targeting drivers in several states for nearly two years.
Oregon DMV will never send you notices, warnings or payment requests by text or email. These fake messages often come from international phone numbers or non-government email addresses. They can cite fake administrative codes, and threaten to suspend vehicle registration or driving privileges.
Scammers will demand payment by a certain date, and provide a link to URLs that may contain the agency name but with added letters or dashes. Past scam messages often included obvious spelling and grammar mistakes. While those are still a red flag, many of today’s criminals are using artificial intelligence to generate realistic, professional-sounding messages.
The Oregon DMV is saying Do Not Click, and Do Not Reply. You can forward scam messages to 7726 (SPAM) and report it to the Federal Trade Commission. When reporting, include the phone number from where the text originated and the website listed within the text. You can also contact ODOT directly at 1-888-Ask-ODOT or DMV directly at 503-945-5000.
If you do click on a suspicious link or provide sensitive information to an unknown source, secure your personal information and financial accounts and dispute any unfamiliar charges. Oregonians can file a customer complaint with Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection. Learn more about fraud prevention at oregondmv.com.
