Acadiana Residents Warned About DMV Text Message Scam

Authorities advise deleting suspicious messages without clicking links to avoid falling victim.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Residents in the Acadiana region of Louisiana are being warned about a new text message scam pretending to be from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The scam messages threaten license suspensions if traffic fines are not paid, but authorities have confirmed these messages are fraudulent.

Why it matters

Text message scams can be difficult to detect, especially for those unfamiliar with common tactics used by fraudsters. This warning aims to educate Acadiana residents on how to identify and avoid falling victim to this particular DMV-themed scam.

The details

The scam text messages claim to be from the Louisiana DMV, warning recipients that their driver's license will be suspended for 30 days if they do not pay outstanding traffic fines. However, the state's Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) has confirmed these messages are fake, as the agency is referred to as the OMV, not the DMV. Authorities advise residents to delete any suspicious messages without clicking on any links.

  • The scam text messages started circulating a few days ago in the Acadiana region.

The players

Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV)

The state agency responsible for vehicle registration and driver's licenses, which has confirmed the text messages are fraudulent.

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What’s next

Authorities encourage residents to report any text message scams to the Federal Trade Commission.

The takeaway

This scam highlights the importance of being vigilant about unsolicited text messages, especially those claiming to be from government agencies and threatening serious consequences. Deleting suspicious messages without clicking links is the best way to avoid falling victim to this type of fraud.