The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is issuing a widespread alert to millions of Americans, urging them to immediately delete an increasingly prevalent and deceptive text message that poses a significant threat to personal data. This warning comes amidst a staggering surge in text scam attacks, with reported incidents targeting iPhone and Android users skyrocketing by over 700% this month alone.
The latest scam, according to federal officials, is particularly insidious. Scammers are posing as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in various states, sending seemingly legitimate text messages designed to trap unsuspecting individuals.
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The fraudulent messages inform recipients of an alleged unpaid toll or fine, threatening severe consequences such as the revocation of driving privileges or even jail time if the payment isn’t made promptly. The texts include a link and instruct users to reply to the message before clicking the provided URL.
However, officials emphatically warn that this entire elaborate setup is a ploy to steal personal data. The FBI, along with state DMV representatives, is urging all recipients not to click the link and to delete the text message immediately.
“These kinds of texts can put malware on your phone, which then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information,” stated FBI Tennessee’s Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer. Palmer further emphasized a general rule of thumb: exercise extreme caution and avoid clicking on any link received from an unknown number.
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A representative for Guardio, a tool specializing in protection against malware, identity theft, and phishing, told Forbes that “These scam texts lead to phishing websites designed to steal people’s credit card information and make unauthorized charges.”
New York State DMV Commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder echoed the warning, clarifying, “These scammers flood phones with texts, hoping to trick unsuspecting people into handing over their personal information. DMV will never send texts asking for sensitive details.”
States reportedly affected by these text scams include Tennessee, New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
The FBI is advising anyone who has received one of these deceptive text messages to file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
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