Residents across Louisiana are being warned about a text message scam claiming to be from the state’s motor vehicle agency and demanding payment for an alleged traffic violation.
The message, which has circulated widely recently, claims recipients have an unresolved traffic violation and warns their driver’s license or vehicle registration could be suspended if payment is not made by a specific deadline.
The text directs recipients to a website and instructs them to reply to the message or click a link to resolve the alleged violation.
Officials say the message is fraudulent.
The agency responsible for driver and vehicle services in Louisiana is the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, often referred to as OMV — not the “Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles” referenced in many scam messages.
The scam messages typically claim the recipient owes money for an unpaid traffic ticket or toll and threaten penalties such as license suspension or additional fees if payment is not made immediately. The messages often include links to fraudulent websites designed to collect personal data or payment information.
State officials emphasize that the OMV does not send unsolicited text messages demanding payment for traffic violations or threatening prosecution.
Residents who receive suspicious messages are advised not to click any links, respond to the text, or provide personal information. Instead, officials recommend deleting the message immediately and reporting the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
For legitimate motor vehicle services in Louisiana, residents should only use the official state website, expresslane.org, or contact the OMV directly.
Authorities also encourage residents to share the warning with friends and family members, particularly older residents who may be more vulnerable to scam attempts.