Kris Strickler Director | Oregon Department Of Transportation
Kris Strickler Director | Oregon Department Of Transportation
Scammers are currently posing as the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), sending fraudulent text messages about unpaid toll fees. These messages falsely claim that recipients have overdue toll balances that must be settled immediately to avoid fines or license suspension. The texts are part of phishing scams aimed at obtaining payment information from unsuspecting individuals.
The ODOT clarified that it does not operate a toll program, while the DMV does send text messages for customer-initiated actions but never includes links for personal information verification. Examples include security codes sent when establishing a DMV2U account or reminders for appointments.
DMV advises recipients to delete these scam messages and block the numbers. Clicking on suspicious links can lead to websites designed to steal personal and financial information. "ODOT and DMV staff members are unable to provide technical assistance with a customer’s phone," they noted.
The scam operates by creating urgency, threatening fines or penalties for unpaid tolls, and impersonating legitimate agencies. To protect against such scams, individuals should refrain from clicking on links in unsolicited texts and verify any claims directly with ODOT via their official website or phone number.
Victims are encouraged to report scams to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or file complaints online with both the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission.
For those who may have inadvertently clicked on links or provided information, securing personal data and disputing unfamiliar charges is advised. Verification of message legitimacy can be done by contacting ODOT at 1-888-Ask-ODOT or DMV at 503-945-5000. More fraud prevention resources are available through the Oregon DMV.
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