Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Issues Warning About DMV Text Scam

March 25, 2026
The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new text message scam circulating in the area that falsely claims to be from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

According to officials, the scam messages reference “citation compliance” and demand payment, often threatening consequences such as license suspension. Authorities emphasize that these messages are not legitimate.

The South Carolina DMV does not send text messages requesting payment or threatening enforcement actions.

Residents who receive one of these messages are urged to take the following precautions:

  • Do not click on any links included in the message
  • Do not respond or provide any personal information
  • Report the message as spam through your mobile device
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov

For individuals who may have already interacted with the scam, the Sheriff’s Office advises closely monitoring bank and credit accounts for any suspicious activity and reporting concerns immediately.

Officials encourage the public to remain cautious and verify any unexpected or suspicious communications before taking action. As scams continue to evolve, staying informed is one of the best defenses against becoming a victim.