BOSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is alerting the public to a scam currently circulating which involves texts stating a person owes money for outstanding motor vehicle violations and that the individual should contact the RMV immediately.  The RMV will never text residents looking for payment for fines or for transactions.  The RMV only accepts payments in-person or on the official RMV website. 

From the Massachusetts Department of Transportation:

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is alerting the public to a scam circulating currently which involves texts stating a person owes money for outstanding motor vehicle violations and that the individual should contact the RMV immediately.  The RMV will never text residents looking for payment for fines or for transactions.  The RMV only accepts payments in-person or on the official RMV website,

“Scam artists often create urgency to manipulate members of the public into paying fees which are fraudulent and we urge everyone to be vigilant when they receive a communication stating they owe money,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “Please delete texts stating you owe money and alert friends and family members to this scam so our most vulnerable residents can avoid being taken advantage of.”

A text scam targeting individuals notifies those individuals in part that, the communication is a, “Final Notice: Unpaid Traffic Violation – Payment Required…”  The scam threatens “enforcement actions” if the payment is not made including the loss of a driving license and vehicle registration. The text should be deleted.  In addition, customers should beware of text messages or emails which claim to be from MassDOT, perhaps fraudulently claiming money is owed for tolls.  These communications often are dangerous phishing scams and not official MassDOT and RMV sources. These fraudulent texts and emails may include links, which do not lead to official MassDOT or RMV websites, and customers should not follow the links nor reply to these messages with personal information.  

Additional scams that have been reported in recent years, include the use of fake websites, purported to be official government websites.  Residents should avoid using any unofficial third-party websites claiming to assist with RMV services. Only the RMV website, should be used online for information or to perform many transactions, including when trying to renew a license or registration. The following guidance is from the RMV:

• In Massachusetts, the term “Registry of Motor Vehicles” and “RMV” are used, so log-off if the site references the “DMV” or the “Department of Motor Vehicles.”
• On the RMV website, a person will never be charged to check on the status of a license, registration or title.
• On the RMV website, there is no charge to access Registry forms and information.
• On the RMV website, there is no charge to change an address on file. 

The Registry actively posts online to warn about scams, including on X @MassRMV, and a warning regarding third party websites remains featured in the RMV’s Driver’s Manual: Driver’s manuals | Mass.gov

Reports of fraudulent websites can be directed to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Officeand the Federal Trade Commission.

Customers with additional questions about how to identify and avoid scams can contact the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation by calling the Consumer Hotline at (617) 973-8787, or toll-free in Massachusetts at (888) 283-3757.