The Tax Collector’s Office for Polk County (TCPC) is alerting customers to be aware of a text message scam in which the sender claims to be collecting fees from outstanding traffic tickets on behalf of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Customers should never click these links sent via text message, as the DMV will never send a link for payments or request personal information in a link through an unsolicited text message. This text message is a scam! Recipients should not click the link. The fraudulent message reads as follows, or may be a variation of this text:
“Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on May 24. Our records show that as of today, you still have an outstanding traffic ticket. In accordance with Florida State Administrative Code 15C-16.003, if you do not complete payment by May 23, 2025, we will take the following actions: 1. Report to the DMV violation database 2. Suspend your vehicle registration starting May 22. Suspend driving privileges for 30 days 4. Transfer to a toll booth and charge a 35% service fee 5. You may be prosecuted and your credit score will be affected. Pay Now…Please pay immediately before enforcement to avoid license suspension and further legal disputes.”
If you received such a text, here is what you should do:
- Report it to the FTC: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Report it to the IC3: Report the scam to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), at https://www.ic3.gov.
- Report it to your wireless provider: Forward the text message to 7726 (SPAM).
- Report it to the Florida Attorney General: File a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office, at https://legacy.myfloridalegal.com/contact.nsf/contact?Open&Section=Citizen_Services.
- Check with the FLHSMV: If you received such a text message, you can check your driver license and motor vehicle registration status at https://mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov/Home/en/Account/Landing.
ATTENTION! There’s a new scam to be aware of! Have you seen a text like the one in this picture? Don’t fall for it! DO NOT click the link. STOP and think – this is a fake message.