Clarkston Police Warn of DMV Scam Targeting Drivers

Fraudulent text messages falsely claim outstanding traffic tickets and threaten penalties.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 11:58pm

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The Clarkston Police Department is warning residents about a nationwide 'smishing' scam involving text messages that falsely claim to be from the Washington State Department of Motor Vehicles. The messages allege the recipient has an outstanding traffic ticket and threaten penalties if payment is not made, but the referenced regulation codes do not actually exist.

Why it matters

These types of scams are designed to trick people into sending money or sharing personal information. Raising awareness about the fraudulent nature of these messages can help protect residents from falling victim to the scheme.

The details

The scam text messages reference regulation codes like '12C-16.003' or '15C-16.003', which do not exist in the Washington Administrative Code. Police say the messages are part of a broader nationwide campaign to defraud individuals. A similar warning has also been issued in Idaho, where scammers are sending texts claiming vehicle registrations are overdue or citations must be paid online.

  • The Clarkston Police Department issued the warning on March 20, 2026.

The players

Clarkston Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Clarkston, Washington that is warning residents about the DMV scam.

Washington State Department of Motor Vehicles

The state agency that scammers are falsely claiming to represent in the text messages.

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The takeaway

This scam highlights the importance of being vigilant about unsolicited text messages, especially those claiming to be from government agencies. Residents should always verify the legitimacy of any communication before responding or providing any personal information.