Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging residents to stay alert for fraudulent text messages that claim recipients owe money for traffic violations or tolls.
These scam texts, which have been appearing more frequently, often warn that the recipient’s vehicle registration or driving privileges are in danger of suspension and urge immediate action through a provided link. Authorities warn these messages are phishing attempts meant to create fear and trick individuals into giving up money or sensitive personal information.
“Phishing scams continue to be a persistent threat, especially during the holiday season, with criminals repeatedly attempting to steal Illinoisans’ personal information and hard-earned money,” said Giannoulias. “These messages are designed to look legitimate, which is why it’s important for residents to remember that our office will never contact them by text about license or registration issues. Ignoring and reporting these scams helps protect everyone.”
The Secretary of State’s office states that it only sends text messages to remind customers about scheduled DMV appointments. It does not send texts regarding driver’s license status, vehicle registration problems, or enforcement actions.
Anyone in Illinois who receives suspicious messages is encouraged to report them to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.