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Woodbury County treasurer warns of statewide DMV text scam; office urges residents not to click links
Summary
Woodbury County Treasurer Tina Burchen told the Board of Supervisors that residents are receiving fraudulent texts purporting to be from the Iowa Department of Vehicles; the treasurer's office and local police have issued public notices and the county posted guidance on its website.
Tina Burchen, Woodbury County treasurer, told the Board of Supervisors that a widespread phishing scam is targeting Iowa residents through text messages that appear to be from the Iowa Department of Vehicles and threaten license suspension for unpaid traffic tickets.
“People are getting text messages that say the Iowa Department of Vehicles enforcement penalties...if they don't pay by June 6 their license will be suspended,” Burchen said. She told the board the treasurer’s office received about 100 in-person and telephone inquiries the same day the office alerted the public, and staff posted warnings on the county website.
Burchen urged residents not to click links in unsolicited texts. She said the county and the Sioux City Police Department issued notices, and that genuine collection notices would be sent by regular mail; the treasurer’s office and the Iowa DMV do not collect fines by text or email, she said.
Why it matters: The scam has prompted calls and visits to the treasurer’s office and risks financial loss or identity theft if residents follow the fraudulent links. The treasurer’s office recommended residents verify any traffic fine notices through official channels and contact the county office or local police if they receive a suspicious text.
Outcome: No formal board action was taken. The treasurer’s office and county administration posted advisory information and asked the board to publicize the warning to residents.
