Montana Officials Warn of Fake Text Scams Targeting Drivers

HELENA—The Montana Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection is alerting residents about a surge in fraudulent text messages targeting drivers across the state. Scammers are impersonating the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to trick recipients into paying fake fines and traffic tickets.

The fraudulent messages create urgency by threatening increased fees and vehicle registration suspension if recipients don’t pay immediately. Officials emphasize that the Montana MVD does not send text messages requesting payment for unpaid tickets or toll road fees.

How to Identify the Scam

Consumer protection officials advise Montanans to watch for several red flags:

• Text messages originating from phone numbers outside the United States
• Claims from departments with incorrect or unofficial names
• Poor grammar and spelling errors
• Threats of immediate action or consequences
• Links requesting payment or personal information

Protection Tips

To avoid falling victim to these scams, officials recommend:

Verify Sources: The official Montana MVD does not request payments through text message links. Contact the MVD directly at (406) 444-3933 or visit mvdmt.gov to confirm any notices.

Avoid Suspicious Links: Do not click or copy links from unknown text messages. Instead, report them to authorities.

Recognize Warning Signs: Be alert for unfamiliar phone numbers, particularly those with international country codes like +63, and messages that demand immediate payment.

Reporting Scams

Montanans who receive suspicious messages should report them to local law enforcement or the Montana Office of Consumer Protection. Reports can be made by:

• Email: contactocp@mt.gov
• Phone: 406-444-4500 (toll-free: 800-481-6896)
• Online: dojmt.gov/office-of-consumer-protection/

The warning comes as text message scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters using official-sounding language and government agency names to appear legitimate. Officials stress that legitimate government agencies will never demand immediate payment through text message links or threaten immediate consequences for unpaid fines.