State and local agencies are warning Kansans about a new wave of text-message scams posing as messages from the Department of Motor Vehicles about unpaid traffic tickets or toll notices.
The texts warn recipients that if they do not pay through a website “that is a near-perfect replica of the official … portal,” they could face a suspended vehicle registration or driver’s license, along with “additional service fees,” according to a Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office press release.
“The scam begins with an unsolicited text message claiming that the recipient’s driver’s license is at risk of suspension due to ‘unpaid traffic citations’ or ‘unresolved violations,’” the DA’s press release read. “To create a sense of panic, the message often includes a strict deadline (e.g., ‘by the end of the day’) and threatens additional 35% processing fees or legal action.”
URLs used in smishing attempts may end in “.org”, “.net”, or a string of random characters instead of the official “.gov” domain.
The text-message scam, known as smishing, is part of a coordinated campaign affecting several states, not just Kansas, according to a press release from the Kansas Department of Transportation. However, the goal remains the same across state lines: to steal sensitive personal and financial information.
Kansas officials stressed that neither the Kansas Department of Revenue nor KDOT will ever send text messages demanding payment or threatening license suspensions. Legitimate notices are delivered by mail.
“If you believe you may actually owe a fine, verify the claim by contacting the relevant organization directly through official channels rather than using a link provided in a text,” the press release said.
Drivers can check the status of their driver’s license for free on the KDOR website.
If you receive a smishing text, or one similar to the example shared by the District Attorney’s Office, the agency recommends not clicking the link or replying to the message, as responding can trigger more scam attempts. Officials also advise using your device’s “Report Spam” feature before deleting the message to help prevent future scams.
“If you have already provided financial information to a suspicious site,” the District Attorney’s Office said, “contact your bank or credit card company immediately to freeze your accounts and monitor for unauthorized charges.
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