29-04-2025
MO Department of Revenue warns of text scams
MISSOURI — People across the state of Missouri are receiving texts claiming to be from the Missouri Department of Revenue or the Department of Motor Vehicles. These texts warn the recipient of unpaid traffic violations, outstanding toll charges or fines owed.
Drury University Professor of Cyber Risk Management Dr. Shannon McMurtrey tells Ozarks First he believes the text scams were made possible by a data leak from 2024.
'There were close to 3 billion records exposed for people in the United States, the UK and Canada,' McMurtrey says. 'And it was all the most sensitive data; names, address, phone number or Social Security numbers.'
Springfield resident Chloe Jones says she has been seeing the texts.
'Recently. Like a few days ago, actually,' Jones says.
In early 2024 National Public Data, an online background check and fraud prevention service experienced a significant data breach. McMurtrey says a number of data leaks could have led to these scam texts, but this one makes the most sense given the timing.
'It takes a little while for the thieves to sell the data,' McMurtrey says. 'So, they will package up the data and sell it on the dark web. And then other crime groups will purchase that data and then they'll use it in their campaigns.'
The Department of Revenue tells Ozarks First that requests for payment will never be sent over text and if you get one of these messages do not click on any links and delete them immediately.
Many of these texts sound threatening, using terms like 'final notice'. Legitimate contact from the Department of Revenue would come in the mail and would not contain threatening, timely language.
Jones is a small business owner, she says this makes her even more cautious about giving out information.
'If we get things about our business too, I have to make sure that they're not real or else they can get a lot of information,' Jones 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
