New Wave of FLHSMV Text Scam Hits Florida Drivers Again
Florida residents are once again being targeted by a fake text message scam impersonating the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The fraudulent messages, which began circulating in late September, have intensified over the past few weeks and are now appearing statewide, from Miami to Jacksonville.
The scam texts typically claim that the recipient’s driver’s license or vehicle registration will be suspended due to unpaid tolls or fines. They include a link that looks like an official state page but redirects users to a phishing site designed to steal personal and banking information.
What Makes This Scam Different
Unlike earlier FLHSMV impersonation scams, the latest wave is more sophisticated. The messages now include a personalized greeting, reference specific license plate numbers, and even display an official-looking state logo. Cybersecurity analysts note that the scammers are using improved spoofing technology to make fake links resemble legitimate government domains, often ending with “flhsmv-gov.com” or similar look-alike URLs.
Victims report that once they click the link, they are prompted to “verify identity” or “pay pending citations,” after which credit card details are harvested and used for unauthorized transactions. Several users also said they received follow-up calls pretending to “confirm payment,” suggesting a coordinated robocall component similar to the 1-833-225-5516 Bank of America robocall scam.
A Recurring Threat in Florida
This is not the first time Floridians have faced a fake DMV-related campaign. A previous FLHSMV scam in 2023 involved thousands of drivers who received texts warning that their “REAL ID” status had expired. Many panicked, clicked the link, and lost access to online banking accounts. That earlier wave caused over $500,000 in collective financial losses, according to state consumer watchdogs.
Experts say the persistence of these scams shows how psychological urgency (threats of license suspension or fines) continues to work.
As one cybersecurity analyst put it, “People are far more likely to react quickly when something threatens their ability to drive.”
How to Stay Safe
If you receive a text claiming to be from FLHSMV:
- Do not click any link or respond.
- Delete the message immediately.
- Go directly to flhsmv.gov if you need to check the status of your license or registration.
- Report suspicious texts to the Florida Attorney General’s Office or the FTC’s scam reporting center.
Why Scammers Keep Winning
The FLHSMV scam mirrors other widespread fraud trends across 2025. From fake Robinhood “account risk” alerts to mass robocall campaigns, criminals are exploiting digital channels to impersonate trusted institutions.
The Bottom Line
Today’s FLHSMV text scam is a refined reboot of an old playbook, preying on urgency, fear, and trust in state agencies. Florida officials are once again urging residents to verify every message through official government websites, and never click links from unknown numbers, no matter how real they look.
