Florida drivers are receiving dangerous text messages that claim to be from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. These fake FLHSMV texts are becoming more common each day. Scammers use official language and threatening messages to trick people into giving away personal information or money.
The messages look real at first glance. They use the FLHSMV name and create fear about license suspension or unpaid fees. Many Florida residents have already fallen victim to these clever schemes. The scammers know exactly how to make their messages appear legitimate and urgent.
This guide will show you every detail about FLHSMV text scams. You will learn to spot the warning signs and take the right steps if you receive one of these messages.
Key Takeaways
- FLHSMV never sends payment requests via text message – The official Florida DMV does not collect fees through text messages or demand immediate payments through links
- Common scam tactics include urgent language and threats – Fake texts often mention license suspension, unpaid tolls, or immediate legal action to create panic and rush victims into responding
- Look for red flags like poor grammar and suspicious links – Scam messages frequently contain spelling errors, awkward phrasing, and links that do not match official FLHSMV websites
- Report suspicious texts to authorities immediately – Forward scam messages to 7726 (SPAM) and report them to the Florida Attorney General’s office to help protect other residents
- Verify any DMV concerns through official channels only – Always contact FLHSMV directly through their official website or phone number rather than responding to unexpected text messages
What Are FLHSMV Scam Texts
FLHSMV scam texts are fake messages that pretend to come from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. These fraudulent texts target Florida drivers with false claims about unpaid fees, license suspensions, or registration problems.
The scammers send these messages to thousands of phone numbers at once. They hope some people will panic and click on the dangerous links. The messages look official and use the FLHSMV logo or name to appear legitimate.
Most scam texts claim you owe money for tolls, tickets, or other fees. They create a false sense of urgency by saying your license will be suspended soon. Some messages threaten arrest or legal action if you do not pay immediately.
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Real FLHSMV communications never demand immediate payment through text messages. The actual Florida DMV sends official letters through regular mail for important matters. They also provide clear contact information and official website links when needed.
How These Scams Target Florida Residents
Scammers specifically target Florida residents because of the state’s large population and heavy traffic. Florida has millions of licensed drivers who regularly deal with tolls, registrations, and license renewals. This makes the fake messages seem more believable to recipients.
The fraudsters obtain phone numbers through data breaches, social media, and purchased lists. They send messages to area codes throughout Florida, including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. The scams often increase during busy times like registration renewal periods.
Many scam texts mention specific Florida toll roads or systems like SunPass and E-Pass. This local knowledge makes the messages appear more authentic to Florida drivers. The scammers research common Florida traffic situations to make their lies more convincing.
Older adults and busy professionals are often targeted because they may not have time to verify the messages carefully. The scammers count on people responding quickly without thinking about the warning signs.
Common Types of FLHSMV Scam Messages
Unpaid toll scams are the most common type of FLHSMV fraud text. These messages claim you have unpaid tolls on Florida highways and must pay immediately to avoid penalties. They often mention specific toll amounts like $12.30 or $8.50 to seem more realistic.
License suspension threats represent another popular scam format. These texts warn that your driver’s license will be suspended within 24 to 48 hours unless you take immediate action. They create panic by mentioning legal consequences or arrest warrants.
Registration renewal scams target drivers during their vehicle registration periods. The messages claim your registration has expired or been suspended. They demand immediate payment to restore your registration status and avoid additional fees.
Some scam texts claim to offer refunds or rebates from FLHSMV. These messages seem positive at first but still ask for personal information to process the fake refund. The scammers use this information for identity theft or future fraud attempts.
Warning Signs to Identify Fake FLHSMV Texts
Poor grammar and spelling errors are major red flags in scam texts. Legitimate FLHSMV messages undergo professional review and editing before being sent. Scam messages often contain obvious mistakes that official government communications would never have.
Urgent language that demands immediate action is another clear warning sign. Real FLHSMV notices provide reasonable time frames for addressing issues. Scam texts use phrases like “within 24 hours” or “immediate payment required” to pressure victims.
Links that do not match official FLHSMV websites should raise immediate suspicion. Legitimate links always lead to flhsmv.gov domains. Scam links often use similar but incorrect addresses like flhsmv-payment.com or florida-dmv.net.
Requests for personal information through text messages are never legitimate. FLHSMV never asks for Social Security numbers, credit card information, or passwords through text messages. Any message requesting this information is definitely a scam.
Real Examples of FLHSMV Scam Texts
One common scam message reads: “FLHSMV NOTICE: Your vehicle registration has been suspended due to unpaid toll fees of $11.25. Click here to pay now and avoid license suspension.” This message contains several red flags including the urgent tone and payment demand.
Another example states: “Florida DMV Alert: Your driver’s license will be suspended in 48 hours for unpaid traffic violations. Verify your information immediately to avoid legal action.” The threatening language and tight deadline are typical scam tactics.
Some messages claim: “FLHSMV Refund Notice: You are eligible for a $45.80 toll refund. Click to claim your refund before it expires.” Even positive messages can be scams if they ask for personal information or require clicking suspicious links.
A recent scam text read: “URGENT: Florida Highway Safety requires immediate verification of your driver information. Failure to comply may result in license revocation.” The official-sounding language is designed to trick people into thinking the message is legitimate.
What Happens If You Click the Links
Clicking on scam links leads to fake websites that look like official FLHSMV pages. These fraudulent sites steal any information you enter including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and credit card details. The scammers use this data for identity theft and financial fraud.
Some malicious links install harmful software on your phone or computer. This malware can steal passwords, track your activity, and access your personal files. The software often runs in the background without your knowledge.
Fake payment pages collect credit card information and bank account details. The scammers use this financial information to make unauthorized purchases or drain your accounts. They may also sell your information to other criminals.
Once you provide information to scammers, they often target you with additional fraud attempts. Your contact information gets added to scammer lists and you may receive more fake texts, emails, and phone calls in the future.
How to Verify Legitimate FLHSMV Communications
Always check official FLHSMV communication methods before responding to any message. The real Florida DMV primarily communicates through official mail and their verified website at flhsmv.gov. They also have official phone numbers listed on their website.
Look for official FLHSMV contact information in any legitimate communication. Real notices include proper mailing addresses, official phone numbers, and correct website links. Scam messages rarely provide accurate contact information.
Visit the official FLHSMV website directly instead of clicking links in text messages. Type flhsmv.gov into your browser to access your account and check for any real issues with your license or registration.
Call FLHSMV directly using phone numbers from their official website if you have concerns. The customer service representatives can verify whether any issues exist with your driver’s license or vehicle registration.
Steps to Take If You Receive a Scam Text
Do not click any links or respond to the message immediately after receiving a suspicious text. Take time to analyze the message for warning signs before taking any action. Remember that legitimate FLHSMV issues are never urgent enough to require immediate text response.
Forward the scam message to 7726 (SPAM) to help your wireless carrier identify and block similar messages. This reporting helps protect other customers from receiving the same scam texts.
Screenshot the message before deleting it from your phone. Save the evidence in case you need to report the scam to law enforcement or other authorities later. Include the sender’s phone number and timestamp in your screenshot.
Report the scam to the Florida Attorney General’s office by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com or calling 1-866-9NO-SCAM. This official reporting helps authorities track scam patterns and protect other Florida residents from similar fraud attempts.
How to Report FLHSMV Scam Texts
Contact FLHSMV directly to report fraud by emailing fraud@flhsmv.gov with details about the scam message. Include screenshots and sender information to help their fraud investigation team track the criminals responsible.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov for national tracking purposes. The FTC uses these reports to identify widespread scam patterns and coordinate law enforcement responses across multiple states.
Forward scam texts to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org to help cybersecurity experts analyze new fraud techniques. This information helps develop better protection methods for all consumers.
File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov if you lost money or provided personal information to scammers. The IC3 works with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute online fraud cases.
Protecting Yourself from Future Scams
Enable spam filtering on your phone to automatically block suspicious text messages. Most smartphones have built-in spam protection that learns to identify and block scam messages over time.
Never save or respond to suspicious phone numbers that send scam messages. Block these numbers immediately to prevent receiving additional scam texts from the same source.
Keep your personal information private on social media and other online platforms. Scammers often gather information from public profiles to make their fraud attempts more convincing and personalized.
Educate family members and friends about FLHSMV scam texts so they can recognize and avoid these fraud attempts. Share this information especially with older adults who may be more vulnerable to scam tactics.
What to Do If You Already Responded
Contact your bank and credit card companies immediately if you provided financial information to scammers. Request new account numbers and monitor your statements closely for unauthorized transactions.
Change all passwords for accounts that might have been compromised by the scam. Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication where available for additional security.
Place a fraud alert on your credit reports by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion). This alert makes it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name.
Monitor your credit reports regularly for signs of identity theft or unauthorized accounts. You can get free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com to check for suspicious activity.
Legal Consequences for Scammers
FLHSMV scam texts violate multiple federal and state laws including wire fraud, identity theft, and consumer protection statutes. Convicted scammers face significant fines and prison sentences ranging from several years to decades depending on the scope of their crimes.
The FBI and other federal agencies actively investigate large-scale text message scam operations. These investigations often result in arrests and prosecutions of criminal organizations that target multiple states and thousands of victims.
Florida state law provides additional penalties for crimes that specifically target state residents or impersonate government agencies. The Florida Attorney General’s office works with law enforcement to prosecute these cases aggressively.
Victims of FLHSMV scams may be able to recover damages through civil lawsuits against the scammers if they are caught and prosecuted. However, many scammers operate internationally making recovery of losses difficult or impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will FLHSMV ever send me text messages?
No, FLHSMV does not send text messages requesting payments or threatening license suspension.
How can I verify if a DMV message is real?
Contact FLHSMV directly through their official website or phone number to verify any concerns.
What should I do if I clicked a scam link?
Run antivirus software, change your passwords, and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
How do I report FLHSMV scam texts?
Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) and report it to fraud@flhsmv.gov and the Florida Attorney General.
Can scammers steal my identity from these texts?
Yes, if you provide personal information through scam links, criminals can use it for identity theft.
Why do I keep getting these scam texts?
Scammers buy phone number lists and send messages to thousands of numbers hoping some people will respond.
