FBI issues warning to all 1.8b iPhone users over dangerous scam: 'Delete these new texts NOW'

Daily Mail​

a day ago

A dangerous texting scam sweeping the nation has caught the attention of the FBI.
The agency has opened an investigation after thousands of Americans reported receiving messages about outstanding traffic tickets that must be paid in June, or risk losing their driving privileges or even facing jail time.
The FBI is urging the public to delete all messages claiming to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles, noting that a government agency would never contact people directly by text.
The scam has surged more than 700 percent this month as cybercriminals launch a new wave of attacks against Android and iPhone users across the US.
These messages typically contain fake website links designed to steal credit card numbers and other personal information.
'The 'outstanding toll amount' is a common theme in complaints made to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3),' the FBI said.
The texts vary by state but often use urgency, threatening language, and official-looking URLs, sometimes even including state names or '.gov,' to appear legitimate.
Officials confirmed that the scam is spreading rapidly across the country, with reports coming in from Tennessee, New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Washington DC, and several other states.
Recent examples include emails and text messages asking recipients to update their personal information for expiring government documents. The examples below are NOT from the New York State DMV
The FBI warned that clicking the links could install malware onto your device, allowing hackers to steal personal data, access financial apps, or hijack the phone's functions.
In contrast to earlier scams, the new DMV messages are longer, state-specific, and more professionally written, which increase their ability to appear real to recipients.
The FBI confirmed that organized crime rings operating from overseas are responsible for the messages, which threaten recipients with penalties if payments aren't made immediately.
DMV Commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder, said: 'These scammers flood phones with texts, hoping to trick unsuspecting New Yorkers into handing over their personal information.
'DMV will not send you texts asking for your personal details.'
FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer explained that the messages are generated by organized groups using computers and AI to send out thousands of texts an hour, in the hope that a few people will respond.
'It costs them next to nothing to send these messages, but in return, they can harvest valuable personal information from their victims,' Palmer told News Channel 3.
'By putting malware on your phone, they then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information.'
The FBI warned that clicking the links could install malware onto your device, allowing hackers to steal personal data, access financial apps, or hijack the phone's functions
According to cybersecurity firm Guardio, these messages are more sophisticated than past scams. The firm reported a 773 percent rise in DMV scam texts in just the first week of June.
The surge follows a year-long series of unpaid toll scams that peaked in March and April, tricking drivers with similar tactics before public awareness led to their decline.
But the latest wave of attacks appears far more aggressive, with fake texts threatening legal consequences unless users act immediately by clicking a malicious link. Guardio is warning about a major spike in DMV scam texts.
'We have spotted a 773 percent surge in DMV scam texts - and they're getting way more dangerous,' the company said.
If a user has clicked or entered information, they are advised to secure accounts and file a report at IC3.gov.