No, the ‘Alabama DMV’ didn’t text you: Breaking down the latest scam

www.wsfa.com, Leonard Hall, April 22, 2026

(WTVM) - Multiple law enforcement agencies in Alabama are warning residents to be on high alert following a wave of fake text messages designed to look like official court summonses and traffic citations.

The scam, which has been reported by drivers across the state, involves a detailed image of a “Final Notice” for unpaid tolls, along with parking and speeding violations.

The notice includes a counterfeit Alabama State Seal in an attempt to appear authentic, but law enforcement officials note the document contains several other “red flags,” including mismatched jurisdictions:

  • The document claims to be from the “Municipal Court of St. Louis County.” There is no St. Louis County in Alabama; the address listed is in Missouri.
  • The statutory authorities and state codes cited on the document do not exist in the Alabama legal code.
  • The text references the “Alabama DMV.” There is no agency with that name; driver licensing is handled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and vehicle registrations by the Alabama Department of Revenue.
  • The notice threatens immediate “default judgment,” license suspension and damage to credit scores to create a false sense of urgency and panic.

“These notices are NOT legitimate,” the Albertville Police Department warned in a social media post. “They are designed to scare you into paying money or giving away personal information.”

How to Protect Yourself

Authorities stress that official court notices and traffic citations are never sent via a random text message. If you receive one of these fraudulent messages, you should delete it immediately and report the number as spam through your phone’s messaging app.

Residents are urged to never click on links or scan QR codes from suspicious messages. If you are concerned about an actual outstanding fine, contact your local county circuit clerk’s office directly using a verified phone number.

Anyone who has fallen victim to this scam should contact their financial institution immediately and report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

News article: No, the ‘Alabama DMV’ didn’t text you: Breaking down the latest scam