Did you receive a strange text message about an “outstanding traffic ticket” with a “final notice” from a number purporting to be the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles?
Don’t click on it, officials say. It’s a scam — and it may contain a glaring typo.
A recent text obtained by NBC Chicago appeared to follow the same pattern as other phishing or “smishing” texts the Illinois Secretary of State and the Illinois Department of Transportation warned about earlier this year.
The latest text, received Monday night, threatened a number of actions if an unpaid traffic ticket isn’t paid in 24 hours — including vehicle registration suspension, prosecution, credit score impact, a 35% fee at tolls and more.
“Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Final Notice: Enforcement will begin on November 5rd,” the text begins. The text goes on to also give a “failure to pay” date by “November 4nd.”
A full screenshot of the text can be found below.
In a June 2 Facebook post, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias warned users that the texts aren’t real.
“Scammers are targeting Illinoisans with phony text messages threatening the suspension of driving privileges,” the post said. “If you receive one, don’t respond to it or click any links.”
The Illinois Department of Transportation has also alerted users of the scam, which often claims recipients owe money associated with traffic tickets, tolls and other fines.
“These are not legitimate messages from the Illinois Department of Transportation,” a banner on IDOT’s website said. “If you receive a message report it to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.”
Local officials and police departments have also warned of the texts.
“I just received this fraudulent text from someone claiming to be the Illinois DMV,” Illinois State Rep. Amy Elik wrote on Facebook Oct. 14. “These are not legitimate messages, and you should not respond or open any links in unsolicited texts. Stay vigilant!”
In a press release from May, Giannoulias’ office said the scams are designed to “trick” residents into giving up personal and financial information, and advised residents not to respond or open any links found in unsolicited texts or emails.
NBC traffic reporter Kye Martin also warned users to not click the link, adding that there’s only one reason the Illinois Secretary of State’s office would send someone a text.
“If you get a text like this, whatever you do, don’t click the link and delete it right away,” Martin said. “The only way the DMV or Alexi [Giannoulias] would ever text you is to remind you of your appointments.”
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