Chillicothe, OH – Law enforcement is warning Ohio residents to ignore text messages claiming to be from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), after reports surfaced of a widespread scam threatening license suspension and prosecution if recipients fail to pay alleged traffic fines.
According to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, the fraudulent messages falsely state that drivers have outstanding tickets and must pay immediately through a provided link. The texts reference “Ohio Administrative Code 15C-16.003” and threaten actions such as suspension of driving privileges, additional fees, and even damage to credit scores. Officials confirmed that these messages are not from the Ohio BMV.
Sheriff George W. Lavender Jr. shared screenshots of the scam on the department’s Facebook page Sunday, urging residents not to click on links or provide personal information. “Make sure they do not become a victim as too many of us fall victim to scams,” Lavender wrote. He added that the scammers often use urgent language to pressure people into paying quickly.
The scam texts appear to come from various phone numbers and include a fraudulent payment website. Officials noted that the BMV does not send out such payment demands via text message.
Authorities recommend that anyone who receives these texts delete them immediately and report suspicious messages to their local law enforcement agency. Residents with questions about their driving records or registration should contact the Ohio BMV directly through its official website.
Law enforcement agencies across the state continue to remind residents that scammers regularly impersonate government agencies to steal money and personal information.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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