Maine Secretary of State warns of widespread BMV text scam

AUGUSTA – Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is warning of a widespread text scam received by Mainers across the state. Similar text scams have been reported numerous times this year.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is warning residents
of a widespread unsolicited text scam seeking payments
for the Maine DMV. Bellows says Maine has a BMV, for the
Bureau of Motor Vehicles, not a DMV and sends postal mail
for late payments, not text messages. COURTESY PHOTO       

The text says, “Important Reminder from the Maine DMV” and threatens the recipient with several consequences, from vehicle registration and license suspension to late payments and legal proceedings for failing to pay for a supposed violation. A link is provided in the text and leads to a fake website. Neither the text nor the website is associated with the Secretary of State’s Office or the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

“Similar fake texts are appearing with increasing frequency,” said Secretary Bellows. “Unfortunately, this is likely a sign that the scammers are finding success and new victims each time they send out a new batch of texts.”

Scammers often send mass texts (“smishing”) or emails (“phishing”) to as many recipients as possible with the hope that some will be tricked into falling for the ruse. Scammers seek to obtain personal identifying information and/or financial information from their victims. If you are the victim of a scam, always notify you financial institutions right away. If you fall for a scam, be sure to monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. You can also freeze your credit file to prevent scammers from using stolen personal information to open up fraudulent accounts in your name.

To avoid becoming a victim of a scam, always be suspicious of any unsolicited text, email, or call, no matter who they claim to be or what displays on your caller ID:

** Legitimate government agencies will rarely contact you by text for sensitive matters. The BMV will send such correspondence by mail.

** If you're not sure if a message is true, always verify its legitimacy by contacting the official source directly by looking up the number.

** Never click a link in an unsolicited text or email.

** Never provide identification or financial information to an unsolicited caller.

** Urgency is always a red flag – if they are telling you that you must act quickly or risk a consequence, it is likely a scam.

Learn more about reporting fraud at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. <