Oregon DMV Warns of Phishing Scam Targeting Residents

Salem, Oregon- The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has issued a warning to residents about a new phishing scam where hackers are impersonating DMV representatives. The scammers are contacting customers through unsolicited phone calls, texts, and emails, claiming to be from the DMV and requesting personal information.

The Oregon DMV emphasizes that it will never ask for personal information, such as a driver’s license number, Social Security number, or date of birth, through unsolicited communications. Scammers often use this tactic to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or to extract money under false pretenses.

Residents are advised to be cautious if they receive an unsolicited message claiming to be from the DMV with urgent matters like an expiring driver’s license or car registration, or notifications about overpayments. The DMV advises recipients to ignore or delete such messages or to hang up if contacted by phone. Importantly, individuals should not click on any verification links included in these messages.

If you suspect you have received a phishing call, text, or email, report it to the DMV Fraud Prevention Team immediately at 503-945-8946 or through an online report. Additionally, the Oregon Department of Justice encourages reporting potential frauds and scams to the Oregon Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or online at oregonconsumer.gov.

While the Oregon DMV does offer secure online services and sends messages in some instances, these communications are never unsolicited and do not include personal information or verification links. Official DMV texts or emails are always related to actions initiated by the customer, such as appointment reminders or cancelation notices. For instance, when setting up a DMV2U account, a security code might be sent by text or email to verify the customer’s identity.