A fake SCDMV toll scam has targeted many South Carolinians (and people in other states) in the past few weeks, with scam text messages that claim to be sent from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Do not click on any links in these texts, and do not interact with them.
If you have received one of these text messages (I got one too), odds are you are just fine, there are no unpaid fines, and there is no warrant for your arrest.
Neither the SCDMV, the police department, nor the courts will tell you via text message that you must pay a fine immediately or go to jail. Rather, you would most likely receive formal, written notification through the postal service.
On the other hand, if you aren’t sure whether you have unpaid fines or a bench warrant, or if you know there is a bench warrant for unpaid fines, call us immediately so we can help you 1) find out if you have a bench warrant and 2) get the bench warrant lifted if possible.
There is a Fake SCDMV Toll Scam – Do Not Click on Links
There is a fake SCDMV toll scam/ unpaid fine scam/ text message scam that has been going on for a few weeks – we’ve all gotten the texts here at our office, too.
The texts claim to be from the SCDMV, that the recipient has unpaid toll violations, and that their license will be suspended if they do not follow the (fake) SCDMV link to make payment. In other versions of this scam, the sender claims that they are a law enforcement agency or court agency, and the recipient will be jailed on a bench warrant if they do not immediately pay their fines.
These text messages are a type of fraud called “smishing.”
What is Smishing?
Phishing involves using communications (usually email) to trick people into revealing information like their usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, bank numbers, birth dates, social security numbers, or other sensitive personal information.
Smishing is a type of phishing that uses text messages (Short Message Service, or SMS) to trick people into downloading malware or entering personal information on a fake website designed to look like a legitimate organization or government agency.
What Does the SCDMV Say About the Scam Texts?
The SCDMV issued an advisory on April 29, 2025, titled “Don’t Fall for Fake Texts on Toll Violations.”
The SCDMV says that:
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The SCDMV does not collect toll fees.
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The SCDMV does not send texts demanding payment or threatening suspensions for toll violations.
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The legitimate SCDMV webpage is at com. Beware of impostors or deceptive links that will divert you to other websites.
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It’s best to delete the scam text if you have received it because the link could be malicious. Spam texts also can be reported to your mobile carrier by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM).
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You can also report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission.
Also, if you interacted with the text message in any way, you should monitor your bank and credit card accounts for fraudulent activity.
What Should You Do If You Have Unpaid Fines and a Bench Warrant?
If you know that you have unpaid fines and a bench warrant, or if you suspect you might but aren’t sure, you should call your traffic attorney immediately.
Your criminal defense lawyer can often 1) find out whether you have a bench warrant and 2) attempt to get a bench warrant lifted.
There are many reasons bench warrants are issued in South Carolina, including:
- Failure to appear in court,
- Not paying a fine after a magistrate court or municipal court conviction,
- Failing to pay court-ordered child support, or
- Violations of bond conditions.
Failure to pay a toll, without more, including notice of a court date and imposition of a fine, is not grounds for a court to issue a bench warrant. It also could not be grounds to suspend your driver’s license without first providing you with notice and an opportunity to be heard and present a defense.
If your only contact from a government agency is a text message demanding money, you do not need to respond, contact the DMV, or call an attorney.
If you have received a written notification from the SCDMV or a South Carolina court that says your license will be suspended or there is a bench warrant for your arrest, you should immediately take those notifications to your SC criminal defense/ traffic violation attorney.
If you have a traffic violation, you may have a limited time to request a jury trial or appear at your initial court date.
If you have received notice of a license suspension, you may have a limited time to appeal the DMV’s decision or request an administrative hearing.
If you have a bench warrant for failure to pay a fine, we may be able to get that bench warrant lifted before you are arrested.
Traffic Ticket Lawyers – Bench Warrant Attorneys in Columbia, Lexington, and Myrtle Beach, SC
The Myrtle Beach and Columbia, SC, traffic ticket lawyers at the Thompson & Hiller Defense Firm focus exclusively on criminal defense cases in SC. We have obtained dismissals, pre-trial diversion resulting in dismissals, or acquittals following trial in hundreds of criminal cases, and we have a record of proven results.
If you have been charged with a crime in SC or if you think you may be under investigation, call us now at 843-444-6122 or contact us through our website for a free initial consultation to find out if we can help.
