Don’t Fall for It—Here’s What to Know About the Ongoing DMV Text Scam

There’s no shortage of scams these days—from phishing emails to fake IRS calls—but one recent scheme has South Carolina residents especially on alert. The S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) has issued a warning about a fake text message that is actively circulating and targeting drivers across the state.

In fact, while writing this article, the publisher of The Buzz received one of the scam messages firsthand. The fraudulent text claimed that the recipient’s driver’s license would be “disabled” for an outstanding ticket and included a link prompting them to click for more information. For awareness, a screenshot of the scam message is included.

But don’t fall for it—this message is not from the SCDMV. Clicking the link could put your personal information at serious risk.

According to the SCDMV, these types of messages are part of an ongoing scam designed to steal personal data or trick people into installing harmful software on their phones or computers.

What to Know:

• The SCDMV will never contact you by text to say your license has been disabled.

• The agency does not send clickable links in unsolicited text messages.

• If you receive one of these messages, do not click the link. Delete the message immediately.

“Unfortunately, scammers are becoming more sophisticated in how they target people,” the SCDMV stated in its official alert. “We urge everyone to be cautious and to always verify information by contacting us directly.”

If you’re ever in doubt about a message claiming to be from the DMV, the safest course of action is to contact the agency through its official website at scdmvonline.com or by calling customer service directly.

Residents are encouraged to share this warning with family and friends—especially older adults and those who may be more vulnerable to online scams.

Stay alert, Laurens County. This scam is active, and anyone could be the next target. Don’t let the scammers win.