FNN Article © March 30, 2026. 3 images provided by Lexi Holmos © March 27, 2026.
PENNSYLVANIA – PennDOT is warning of active phishing text scams (“smishing”) claiming drivers owe fees for outstanding traffic violations or tolls to avoid license suspension. These fraudulent messages, which often mention the “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Motor Vehicles (DMV),” are not from PennDOT. PennDOT never sends text alerts for fines or fees. So never click on links in such tests; in fact, simply delete the message immediately.
How to Identify and Handle the Scam:
The Scam: Texts threaten to suspend your license or registration if you do not click a link to pay fines immediately.
Red Flags: Unofficial, urgent language, and links that do not lead to the official pa.gov domain.
Actions:
- Do not click any links. This can compromise personal financial data.
- Delete the message and report it as spam, say the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Attorney General.
- Verify any real charges by visiting the official PA Driver & Vehicle Services website or the PA Turnpike site directly, not via the link in the text.Reporting: Victims can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by clicking the following link – https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-report-spam-text-messages or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center by clicking the following link – https://www.ic3.gov/ .
PennDOT sends official notifications regarding drivers’ licenses or vehicle registrations through traditional mail via the U.S. Postal Service.
