A dangerous text message scam is making the rounds across Okmulgee County and the state, prompting warnings from Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice and Service Oklahoma. The scam message claims to be a “Final Notice” from the Oklahoma Department of Motor Vehicles and threatens license suspension, registration cancellation, legal action and additional penalties if recipients do not immediately pay a supposed overdue traffic fine.

The fraudulent message reads as follows: Oklahoma Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on June 7.

Our records indicate your traffic fine is overdue. In accordance with regulation 15C-16.003, failure to resolve payment by June 6, 2025, will result in:

• Violation logged in DMV records

• Vehicle registration suspension effective June 7

• 30-day suspension of driver’s license

• Referral to toll collection, incurring an extra 35% fee

• Possible legal action and negative impact on your credit history Settle immediately at https://ok.gov-mnmi. vip/pay?eds=UiO7hP.

The link, which is made to look like an official state website, is not legitimate. The structure of the domain – “ok. gov-mnmi.vip” – intentionally mimics a government URL to trick recipients into believing they are resolving an actual issue. In reality, it is a phishing link that could lead to the theft of personal and financial data.

The scam operates through a tactic known as smishing, a term that combines “SMS” and “phishing.” Smishing attacks use fraudulent text messages to trick people into revealing sensitive information. This specific attack is designed to incite fear and urgency in order to prompt victims into clicking the link without verifying the message’s authenticity.

Okmulgee County residents began reporting the suspicious message to the Sheriff ’s Office in early June. Similar reports have surfaced statewide, with the scam message appearing on the phones of random recipients regardless of whether they’ve had recent interactions with the DMV or law enforcement. According to local authorities, these messages are not targeted – they are being sent in bulk to generate widespread panic and increase the chances of success.

Service Oklahoma, the official provider of driver’s license and vehicle registration services in the state, has confirmed that the agency does not send out payment demands by text message. Neither Service Oklahoma nor any of its licensed tag agents or motor license operators use text-based alerts for unpaid fines or violations. Instead, all official communication regarding such matters is delivered through verified mail or secure portals.

In addition to the link’s suspicious structure, the reference to “regulation 15C-16.003” is fabricated. There is no such rule or enforcement code in Oklahoma law, confirming that the scammer’s intent is to create a false sense of legitimacy.

Recipients of the scam are urged to delete the message immediately and avoid clicking on the link. If the link is accessed and information is submitted, it is likely to result in compromise of private data such as social security numbers, credit card details, or even login credentials for banking and government service websites.

To protect themselves, individuals who may have interacted with the scam should immediately take the following actions:

• Change all passwords associated with accounts that may have been compromised.

• Monitor bank and credit card accounts for unauthorized charges.

• Contact their financial institution to flag potential fraud.

• Place a credit freeze or fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Service Oklahoma advises all residents to use only the official state portal – service.ok.gov for any services related to vehicle registration, driver’s licenses or fine payments. Any website that uses an unfamiliar or suspicious URL, especially those ending in unusual domains like “.vip,” should be treated with caution.

Authorities emphasize that scammers rely heavily on fear and urgency to deceive people. By creating the impression that a person’s driving privileges or financial reputation are at risk, scammers aim to pressure their victims into responding impulsively.

Smishing and phishing scams have become increasingly common in Oklahoma and across the nation, with cybercriminals growing more sophisticated in mimicking government language, logos and web design. Federal agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have reported significant increases in smishing cases in recent years. Americans lost over $330 million to text and phone scams in 2023 alone, with numbers continuing to rise.

Sheriff Rice’s office, along with Service Oklahoma, is encouraging residents to report any suspicious text messages to national and local authorities. Victims or potential targets can:

• Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) to report it to their mobile carrier.

• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud. ftc.gov.

• File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.

• Contact the Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office directly at 918-7564311 to share details locally.

Reports from the public play a critical role in helping authorities monitor the spread of such scams and develop countermeasures. Scam reports can also help alert other residents, especially seniors and individuals unfamiliar with digital scams, who may be more vulnerable to such attacks.

Though digital fraud may be difficult to trace due to the use of international servers and masked phone numbers, local law enforcement agencies and Service Oklahoma are collaborating with national partners to track down scam operations and reduce their impact through public education.

To stay informed, citizens are encouraged to follow Service Oklahoma and the Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office on their official websites and verified social media channels. Periodic fraud alerts and cyber safety tips are posted regularly to help the community remain vigilant.

This recent scam serves as a reminder for residents to remain cautious when receiving unexpected or unsolicited messages – especially those demanding payment or threatening legal consequences. The best protection against scams is education, skepticism and a strong sense of digital self-awareness.

As fraudulent techniques evolve, so too must the efforts to inform the public. Oklahoma agencies continue to prioritize the safety and privacy of residents and are urging everyone to remain alert and share scam warnings with friends, family and neighbors.