Connecticut Residents Warned About Fake DMV Text Messages

Scammers are posing as the DMV to demand immediate payment and threaten penalties

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Police departments across Connecticut are warning residents about a new text message scam where scammers are sending messages that appear to come from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The messages claim the recipient owes money for an unpaid traffic fine, toll violation, or registration issue, and urge them to click a link immediately to avoid penalties, license suspension, or additional fees.

Why it matters

These types of scams take advantage of people's stress and urgency around DMV-related issues, which is exactly what the scammers are counting on. The Connecticut DMV does not contact people this way, so any text claiming to be from them and demanding immediate payment is a clear sign of a scam.

The details

The scam texts claim the recipient owes money for a traffic ticket, toll violation, or some kind of 'registration issue' and demand they click a link immediately to avoid fines, legal trouble, or license suspension. Officials say these scams are designed to take advantage of people who are already stressed about travel, tolls, or DMV paperwork.

  • The scam texts have been circulating across Connecticut in recent weeks.

The players

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles

The state agency responsible for vehicle registration, driver's licenses, and other motor vehicle-related services. The DMV does not contact people via text messages demanding immediate payment.

Connecticut Police Departments

Law enforcement agencies across the state that are warning residents about this new DMV text message scam.

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The takeaway

This scam highlights the importance of being cautious of any unsolicited text messages or communications claiming to be from government agencies like the DMV. The best approach is to ignore and delete these types of messages, as the DMV will never contact people this way demanding immediate payment or action.