Ames Today

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a warning to consumers about fraudulent text messages circulating in Iowa and across the country. These messages, which appear to be from the Iowa DOT or "DMV," falsely claim that recipients have unpaid traffic violations. Other messages fraudulently state that individuals owe an unpaid toll or registration fee. The texts prompt recipients to click on a link to provide personal information and credit card numbers. Often, these links lead to websites resembling the official Iowa DOT site.

According to the Iowa DOT, these texts are not legitimate and should be ignored. "The Iowa DOT does not send out fee collection reminders via text, and will never text customers asking for private or financial information," said the department. Official payment requests from the Iowa DOT are conducted through personal transactions, physical mail, or online transactions initiated by the customer. Furthermore, the department clarified that it does not collect tolls on any roads or bridges.

Ryan Ridout, Director of the Iowa DOT Bureau of Investigation and Identity, provided guidance on handling such scams: "Transportation departments nationwide are reporting similar scams." He advised recipients of phishing texts not to click on any links or respond to unexpected messages. Instead, they should report and delete unwanted texts using their phone's "report junk" option or forward them to 7726 (SPAM).

While some government agencies do use text messaging for communication, they should never request confidential or financial information through this medium. In Iowa, for instance, while setting up a Driver License appointment might involve receiving a confirmation text, users will always log into an official system with a username and password rather than through a simple link.

For those who suspect they have fallen victim to a text scam, it is recommended to file a police report with local law enforcement. Additional resources include AARP’s Fraud Watch Helpline and Fraud Victim Support Groups. Reports can also be made to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=IADOT or the IC3 at www.ic3.gov.

For inquiries related to one's Iowa Motor Vehicle Division record, individuals can contact driver.services@iowadot.us or call 515-244-8725. Media inquiries regarding these scams can be directed to Ryan Ridout at 515-237-3260 or ryan.ridout@iowadot.us.

Information from this article can be found here.