Scam Text Circulating in Oklahoma, Department of Public Safety Responds

We're living in a hard-to-read world these days, where it's incredibly difficult to tell what's true and what isn't. Scam artists have gotten clever recently and learned to include what seems familiar to Oklahomans in order to scam them out of their hard earned money.

If you're recently received a text from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, requesting payment, do not click the link to pay. The actualy Department of Public Safety released a statement earlier today reminding folks to stay diligent and refrain from taking any action to this text.

For a little refresher, there's a few things that can typically help identify if something is likely a scam.

It's glaringly obvious this text is just another scam to Oklahomans.

Many drivers (and some that don't even drive) have received this text:

Oklahoma Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties begin on July 27.

According to our records, your traffic citation is yet unpaid.

Per Oklahoma law 15C - 16.003, if unresolved by July 26, 2025, the penalties outlined will be enacted:

1. Violation entered into DMV records.

2. Suspension of your vehicle registration on July 27.

3. 30-day suspension of driver's license

4. Debt transferred to collections (+35% charge)

5. Possible court action and credit damage

Pay immediately here:

https://cutt.ly/HraGsz2k?yDW=Fq21P?FVn=jvHov

A simple google search confirms that there is no such thing as a "Oklahoma Law 15.C - 16.003" but we understand how some folks might panic and not take the time to look these things up.

That's one of the tactics that most scams use - a sense of urgency. Scam artists deliberately make the situation seem dire and "in need of immediate action."

Always question texts and emails with a message like this.

Also consider who's sending you the message.

Is it normal to receive an official message from a public entity via text?

In most cases, if you truly did have a case pending with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, they would send you certified mail.

Another easy tell-tale sign that a message is coming from a scam artist can be basic grammar mistakes. You don't have to be an expert to spot misspellings and basic punctuation errors. Granted, this text only has a few, but they're still there.

Lastly, play close attention to the link included.

If you read it (but DO NOT CLICK ON IT), you'll notice that there aren't any official or familiar terms included. This should be a huge indicator that something isn't right and you shouldn't trust the link.