Officials Warn Against BMV Text Scam

York police say fraudulent texts claim overdue fines

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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York police are warning residents about a text message scam claiming people have overdue fines from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The authorities say these texts are not legitimate and are part of a larger effort to steal personal information from unsuspecting victims.

Why it matters

Text message scams are a common tactic used by criminals to obtain sensitive financial and personal data. This particular scam targets people's interactions with government agencies like the BMV, which many people rely on for essential services.

The details

The text messages claim the recipient has an overdue fine or fee from the BMV and instructs them to click a link to pay it. However, this link is designed to steal the person's login credentials or other personal information that can be used for identity theft and fraud.

  • On February 9, 2026, York police issued a warning about the BMV text scam.

The players

York Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in York, Pennsylvania that issued the warning about the BMV text scam.

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What’s next

York police advise residents to be cautious of any unsolicited text messages or emails claiming to be from government agencies and to never click on links or provide personal information in response.

The takeaway

This BMV text scam is a reminder for people to be vigilant about suspicious communications, especially those claiming to be from official sources, and to verify the legitimacy of any requests for personal or financial information before responding.