In recent months, fraudulent text messages pretending to be from the DMV have surged across the United States. ACF can help protect citizens from becoming targets. Keep reading to learn more.
From coast to coast, residents are receiving deceptive messages that appear to come from their local Department of Motor Vehicles or tolling authorities. These scams—known as smishing (SMS phishing)—often claim that a toll hasn’t been paid, a fine is overdue, or a license has been suspended, prompting recipients to click on a malicious link.
As these threats increase, state agencies need smarter tools to both warn their communities and protect their data. At ACF Technologies, we believe citizen protection starts with secure, proactive communication and systems designed to limit vulnerabilities. Here’s how our solutions can help.
DMV-related scam texts are not isolated incidents—they’re a growing trend.
In North Carolina, ABC11 reported that fraudulent toll alerts claiming to be from NC Quick Pass are back, threatening legal action and directing users to pay fake fines. In reality, these messages are part of a phishing scheme designed to harvest personal and financial information.
And it’s not just North Carolina. The Associated Press and TIME have both issued warnings about widespread smishing attacks. From New York to Texas, scammers are sending official-looking messages that trick citizens into revealing sensitive data.
Even the FBI has weighed in, warning iPhone and Android users to delete suspicious messages immediately. With the sophistication of these scams increasing, local governments must take active steps to secure citizen interactions.
The success of smishing relies on urgency and impersonation. When a message looks like it’s from the DMV and includes a link to “resolve” an issue, many recipients click before thinking twice—especially if the message includes threats of late fees, suspended licenses, or legal trouble.
These scams can result in stolen identities, drained bank accounts, and lost trust in public agencies. For DMV offices and similar government agencies, the damage goes beyond the victim—it affects public confidence and increases the burden on contact centers fielding calls from confused residents.
While the rise in scams is alarming, there are proactive steps agencies can take to protect citizens. ACF Technologies provides tools that help DMVs establish secure, verified communication channels while also educating the public and safeguarding internal systems.
With ACF’s appointment booking, queuing, and notification platforms, agencies can provide citizens with clear, consistent, and authenticated messages. Our systems use official domains and mobile verification methods, so residents know when a message is legitimate—and when it’s not.
By training citizens to expect communication only through secure, branded channels, we reduce the chance that they’ll fall for a fake.
Through integrated digital signage, kiosk messaging, and automated reminders, ACF enables DMVs to rapidly share alerts about known scams. Whether it’s a message on a queueing screen, an in-app notification, or an SMS alert from a verified sender, our tools help spread the word fast when new threats arise.
Agencies can also use outbound messaging to send scam advisories directly to their customers—ensuring that users are warned before they click.
ACF’s government-grade platforms are built with security in mind. By consolidating citizen interactions through a single, secure platform, we limit the number of data touchpoints and reduce exposure to breaches or impersonation attempts.
Plus, when used with mobile ID authentication and encrypted appointment confirmations, our systems ensure that sensitive information stays in the right hands.
Scams thrive in confusion. That’s why ACF emphasizes transparency in every interaction. Whether it’s through multilingual interfaces that help reach more residents or dashboards that show users the exact status of their appointments and interactions, our platforms foster trust—one message at a time.
Scam messages won’t disappear overnight—but the risk they pose can be drastically reduced. By modernizing communication systems and building secure digital touchpoints, DMVs and other public agencies can outpace scammers and keep their communities informed and protected.
It’s time to move from reactive to proactive.
Let’s work together to protect your citizens from digital threats—because every message matters.
Interested in learning how ACF can help your agency stay ahead of scams? Contact us today or explore our secure solutions for public service.