DMV texts threaten unpaid parking ticket enforcement are fake, NC attorney general says

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new wave of DMV text scams are hitting phones.

The most recent one consumers are getting claims this is your final notice for an unpaid parking ticket, and if you don't pay up, enforcement will begin on January 20th.

"We are aware of multiple fraudulent text scams that have gone out requesting payment for fees, fines, or tolls," said NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine. "We will NEVER request payment by text. If you get one of these texts, don't respond. Instead, report it as spam and delete it."

To know if a text is a scam, the North Carolina Attorney General's Office says to watch out for these red flags:

Fake web address: The link includes the word ".gov," but it is not a real government site. The true domain ends in .cc, not .gov. The true domain, .cc, is the country-code for the Cocos Islands near Australia.

Fake penalties: The text threatens things that do not exist under North Carolina law, including a "35% service fee at toll booths" and credit score damage from the DMV.

If you receive this message, do not click the link. You can report it here. If you're unsure whether an email, text, or letter from the NCDMV is legitimate, you should contact the agency directly at (919) 715-7000.