Scammers are sending text messages that claim to be from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), warning recipients about supposed unpaid traffic fines or toll balances. According to Chris Crabb, Public Information Officer for Oregon DMV, these messages are fraudulent and aim to steal personal and financial information.
“If you receive an unsolicited text message claiming to be from ODOT or DMV saying you owe money for an unpaid traffic fine or toll balance, it’s a scam. Do not click any links or provide payment or personal identifying information,” said Crabb. “These are fake messages designed to steal your personal and financial information. We recommend you delete the message and block the sender.”
The fraudulent texts often use urgent language such as “Evasion Notice for Oregon Traffic Court” or “Final Notice – Toll Violation (Oregon).” They typically demand immediate payment by a specific date and may cite a false reference to Oregon State Administrative Code. The included links sometimes appear legitimate because they contain terms like ODOT, DMV, or oregon.gov.
Authorities advise people not to click on links in suspicious messages, not to respond with personal details, and not to send payments through unknown websites. Recipients should delete such texts and block the sender’s number. Suspected scams can be reported to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission by including both the sender’s phone number and any links found in the message.
Those who have already clicked on a link or provided information are urged to secure their accounts, dispute unfamiliar charges, and file complaints with the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection division.
ODOT and Oregon DMV stress that they do not request payments via unsolicited text messages, emails, phone calls, or third-party websites. People can verify any communication directly by calling ODOT at 1-888-Ask-ODOT or DMV at 1-855-540-6655. More resources about fraud prevention are available at oregondmv.com.
