It’s back—again. That scam you thought people were wise to? It’s making another round through Florida, with a fresh coat of digital paint. Back in January we were one of the first to report about the “unpaid toll text scam.” Flash forward to June 2025, if you’ve received a text claiming to be from the Florida DMV (or “Flοridа Department of Motor Vehіcles”), warning you of license suspension, penalties, or collections—don’t panic. And definitely don’t click.
This new message looks just official enough to catch people off guard. It reads:
“Flοridа Department of Motor Vehіcles (DMV) Final Νotice: Enfоrcement Penalties Begin on Month/Day. Аϲcording to οur records, your trаffic violation remаins unpaid…”
It goes on to threaten that your license will be suspended, your vehicle registration revoked, and that your case will be forwarded to collections—all under the supposed authority of “Florida Code 15C‑16.003.” Then it pushes you to “make immediate payment” at a sketchy-looking web link.
Here’s the truth: It’s fake. Completely. There’s no such code. The Florida DMV—actually called FLHSMV (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)—doesn’t send license suspension threats via random text messages.
How To Spot the Scam (Even If You’re in a Hurry)
- The link – That web address? Totally bogus. The actual DMV’s website ends in .gov, not .cc or .com with random letters.
- The law cited – “Florida Code 15C‑16.003” doesn’t exist. It’s made up.
- Tone and urgency – Real government notices don’t use aggressive scare tactics in SMS.
- Typos and strange characters – Weird characters like “ϲ” or “Ν” instead of normal letters are a red flag. Scammers do this to dodge spam filters.
Why You’re Being Targeted
Scammers cast a wide net. You might’ve recently paid a ticket or visited the DMV. Maybe you haven’t. They don’t care. Their goal is to freak you out just enough to make you click that payment link without thinking twice.
And once you do? They’ll either:
- Steal your card or bank details
- Install malware on your phone
- Capture your personal info for identity theft
What You Should Actually Do
- Don’t click anything.
- Don’t reply. Not even “STOP.”
- Report/Block through your phone
- Report it FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov).
If you’re ever unsure about a legit ticket or fine:
- Visit the official FLHSMV website: https://www.flhsmv.gov
- Or call them directly. Do not trust numbers listed in sketchy messages.
Been Scammed Already? Here’s What To Do Fast
- Call your bank or card company immediately.
- File a report with the FTC.
- Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit file.
- Contact local law enforcement and let them know.
Bottom Line:
That DMV text? It’s not real. But the damage it causes can be. Stay sharp, trust your gut, and don’t click links from unknown sources—especially when they’re dangling legal threats. And if you’re ever in doubt about a real ticket, citation, or license issue, you’ve got a law firm that’s seen it all. We’re here for you.
