Have you received a text message saying it’s from the Maryland DMV, telling you that you have an unpaid traffic ticket and that you must pay immediately or your license will be suspended? The message might include a link like “maryland.mvaovg.vip” and warn you that you must pay a small fee, such as $6.99, quickly or face penalties.
Question: Is this message a real alert from the Maryland DMV, and should you follow the payment instructions right away?
Investigation Findings: The website link in the message is not an official Maryland DMV website. The message uses pressure and threats to make you pay quickly. Legitimate DMV communications don’t ask for immediate payment through suspicious links. The low amount due and the rushed time frame are common scam signs. The website tries to look official but the URL is unusual and design is poor.
Answer: This is a fraudulent text scam pretending to be from the Maryland DMV. 💡 To protect yourself from scams like this, never click links or pay fees from unexpected messages. Always check the official Maryland DMV website or contact them directly if you receive a notice. Additionally, avoid sharing your personal or financial information unless you are sure it is a genuine source.
A typical “Maryland DMV” scam text message may look like this:
Maryland State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Final Notice:
Enforcement Penalties Begin onJune 5.
Our records show that as of today, you still have an outstanding traffic ticket. In accordance with New Maryland State Administrative Code 15C-16.003, if you do not complete payment by June 4, 2025, we will take the following actions:
1. Report to the DMV violation database
2. Suspend your vehicle registration starting June 5
3. Suspend driving privileges for 30 days
4. Transfer to a toll booth and charge a 35% service fee
5. You may be prosecuted and your credit score will be affected
Pay Now:
hxxps://maryland.mvaovg.vip/pay
Please pay immediately before enforcement to avoid license suspension and further legal
🚨 Beware of the Maryland DMV Text Scam
This scam involves fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The scam attempts to pressure recipients into paying a bogus toll or traffic fine via suspicious websites, posing serious risks of financial loss and identity theft.
Key Red Flags:
- 🌐 Suspicious URL: The scam directs you to a strange website like
maryland.mvaovg.vip, which is not an official DMV or Maryland government domain. - ⏰Urgency and Threats: The messages use scare tactics with urgent deadlines—e.g., “Pay within 12 hours” or “Enforcement penalties begin soon”—to rush you into paying without verifying the claim.
- 💵 Small Payment Requests: Requests for trivial charges like $6.99 for an alleged toll fee are uncommon for government agencies, especially with demands sent by text without prior official notice.
- ⚠️ Fake Official Logos and Names: The scammers mimic official Maryland DMV branding and agency names to appear legitimate, but the website design and content quality are poor and inconsistent with real government sites.
- 🔗 Mismatch Between URL and Official Domains: Legitimate Maryland DMV websites always use official state or government domains (e.g.,
.gov). The scam URL uses non-standard domains and subdomains that raise suspicion. - 🖱️ Generic Payment Buttons: The fake site includes vague “Pay” buttons without clear payment processing details or secure transaction methods that characterize legitimate government portals.
- 🚫 No Verification or Notices Sent Elsewhere: Legitimate traffic violations or toll charges usually involve mailed notices or official emails, not unexpected texts prompting immediate online payment.
In summary, the Maryland DMV text scam employs fraudulent messages and fake websites to trick victims into making illegitimate payments. If you receive such a text, do not click any links or enter payment information. Instead, verify any traffic violations or toll charges directly by contacting the official Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration through their official website or customer service. Staying cautious and informed is the best defense against these scams.
📱 What to Do When You Receive the “Maryland DMV” Scam Text Message
We advise everyone who receives this message to follow these simple steps to protect themselves from potential scams:
- ❌ Do not believe this message.
- 🔒 NEVER share your personal information or passwords via text.
- 🚫 Do not click on any links in suspicious messages.
- 🔍 Verify any phone numbers or links by checking the official website or contacting customer support directly.
- 📣 Report the scam text to your carrier by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM).
If you accidentally clicked on a link in the “Maryland DMV” text, suspect that your device may be compromised, or just want to check for threats, use one of the free malware removal tools. Additionally, consider taking the following steps:
- 🔑 Change your passwords: Update passwords for your email, banking, and other important accounts.
- 🛡️ Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- 📞 Contact your financial institutions: Inform them of any suspicious activity.
- 🔄 Monitor your accounts: Keep an eye on your bank statements and credit reports for any unusual activity.
🔍 How to Spot a Scam Text Message
Scam messages often share common characteristics. By learning these signs, you can detect and avoid text scams:
💡 Here Are Some Ways to Recognize a Scam Text
- 📞 Unknown or Suspicious Numbers: Scam texts often come from unknown or very generic numbers, not official customer service numbers.
- 🔠 Misspelled Brand Names: Look carefully for any misspellings in the brand or company names, as scammers often try to mimic real companies.
- 👋 Generic Greetings: Messages starting with vague greetings like “Dear Customer” may not be from trusted companies.
- 🔗 Suspicious Links: Do not click on any links in suspicious messages. Instead, visit the company’s official website directly.
- ⏰ Sense of Urgency: Messages that demand immediate action or else a penalty will apply are often scams.
- 📝 Spelling and Grammar Errors: Scam texts may contain spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Legitimate companies usually ensure proper language use.
- 🔒 Requests for Sensitive Information: Trustworthy organizations do not ask for passwords, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers through text.
Conclusion
The Maryland DMV Text Scam is a fraudulent scheme designed to deceive recipients into paying fake fees through a counterfeit website. This scam relies on urgent and intimidating language, warning of license suspension, legal consequences, and financial penalties to pressure victims into immediate payment. The fake Maryland DMV website (maryland.mvaovg.vip) mimics official logos and agency names but uses a suspicious URL that clearly does not match the legitimate Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration domain.
Instead of addressing genuine violations, this scam attempts to collect unauthorized payments by exploiting fear and confusion. The $6.99 toll charge and demand for payment “within the next 12 hours” are typical red flags, as authentic government agencies do not use such tactics or unverified payment portals for minor fees.
Bottom Line: Avoid responding to texts or websites claiming to be from the Maryland DMV unless they come from official channels. Never click on suspicious links or provide payment information without verifying through Maryland’s official DMV website or contacting them directly. Stay vigilant—if a message pressures you to pay immediately and uses unfamiliar web addresses, it is most likely a scam designed to steal your money or personal data.
