“Ohio BMV Announces New Online Scheduling and Extended Hours—Here’s How to Skip the Line”

Ohio motorists are being bombarded with fake “traffic-ticket” text messages that impersonate the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), state officials say. The phishing texts claim drivers owe an immediate fine and threaten license suspension if they refuse to click a payment link, according to alerts from the BMV, local police departments, and consumer-protection groups. What the fraudulent texts look like • Sender name often reads “OHIO-BMV” or “DMV Notice.” • Message states an “unpaid citation” or “speeding ticket” must be settled by a deadline (frequently “June 10, 2025”) to avoid extra penalties. • Link directs users to a copy-cat website designed to harvest credit-card numbers and Social Security data. Why the scam is spreading now Cybercriminals capitalize on the heightened awareness around REAL ID deadlines and summer travel license renewals. High search volume for “Ohio BMV hours,” “BMV appointments,” and “pay tickets online” is driving unsuspecting users to interact with look-alike text messages and malicious sites. How to verify any BMV notification 1. Ignore unsolicited texts demanding payment. 2. Visit the official portal, bmv.ohio.gov, or call 614-752-7600 to confirm ticket status. 3. Check your driving record through Ohio’s official “BMV Online Services” dashboard rather than external links. 4. Report suspected phishing to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the Ohio Attorney General’s office. BMV’s official stance “The Ohio BMV will never ask for payment or personal information via text,” spokesperson Lindsey Bohrer said in a statewide release. Any legitimate violation notice is mailed, not texted, and includes the county court handling the citation. Consequences for victims Residents who clicked the link report drained bank accounts and unauthorized credit-card charges within hours, local law-enforcement agencies warn. Victims should immediately freeze cards, place fraud alerts on credit reports, and file a police report. Protective technology tips • Enable two-factor authentication on banking apps. • Use spam-filtering tools that flag SMS containing shortened URLs. • Keep mobile operating systems updated to patch known vulnerabilities. Bottom line If you receive a text about an “unpaid ticket” from the Ohio BMV, do not click. Go straight to the official BMV website or call customer service to confirm your status. Staying vigilant will help Ohio drivers steer clear of costly identity theft and keep scammers in the slow lane.