RMV: Beware of Scam Texts

11:35AM / Sunday, November 30, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is alerting the public to a scam circulating currently which involves texts stating a person owes money for outstanding motor vehicle violations and that the individual should contact the RMV immediately.

The RMV will never text residents looking for payment for fines or for transactions. The RMV only accepts payments in-person or on the official RMV website: www.mass.gov/RMV.

"Scam artists often create urgency to manipulate members of the public into paying fees which are fraudulent and we urge everyone to be vigilant when they receive a communication stating they owe money," said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. "Please delete texts stating you owe money and alert friends and family members to this scam so our most vulnerable residents can avoid being taken advantage of."

A text scam targeting individuals notifies those individuals in part that, the communication is a, "Final Notice: Unpaid Traffic Violation – Payment Required..." The scam threatens "enforcement actions" if the payment is not made including the loss of a driving license and vehicle registration. The text should be deleted. In addition, customers should beware of text messages or emails which claim to be from MassDOT, perhaps fraudulently claiming money is owed for tolls. These communications often are dangerous phishing scams and not official MassDOT and RMV sources. These fraudulent texts and emails may include links, which do not lead to official MassDOT or RMV websites, and customers should not follow the links nor reply to these messages with personal information.

Additional scams that have been reported in recent years, include the use of fake websites, purported to be official government websites. Residents should avoid using any unofficial third-party websites claiming to assist with RMV services. Only Mass.Gov/RMV should be used online for information or to perform many transactions, including when trying to renew a license or registration. The following guidance is from the RMV:

In Massachusetts, the term "Registry of Motor Vehicles" and "RMV" are used, so log-off if the site references the "DMV" or the "Department of Motor Vehicles."
At Mass.Gov/RMV, a person will never be charged to check on the status of a license, registration or title.
At Mass.Gov/RMV, there is no charge to access Registry forms and information.
At Mass.Gov/RMV, there is no charge to change an address on file.

The Registry actively posts online to warn about scams, including on X @MassRMV, and a warning regarding third party websites remains featured in the RMV’s Driver’s Manual: Driver's manuals | Mass.gov

Reports of fraudulent websites can be directed to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office at http://www.mass.gov/ago/consumer-resources/consumer-assistance/consumer-complaint.html and the Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/.

Customers with additional questions about how to identify and avoid scams can contact the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation by calling the Consumer Hotline at (617) 973-8787, or toll-free in Massachusetts at (888) 283-3757.

Tags: MassDOT,

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Fenton: Governor's Council Must Deliver for the Berkshires

Community submissionGuest Column
10:22AM / Friday, August 28, 2026

I am a Springfield lawyer running for Governor's Council and I am asking for Berkshire County residents to support me over an incumbent from North Adams.

Here's why: Last year I learned about staffing issues in our regional courts that I could not ignore. In 2025, it was reported that four of Western Massachusetts' 11 Superior Court judgeships were vacant, all at the same time. A few weeks later, that grew to five vacancies. This meant there were only six Superior Court judges serving all of Western Mass at a time when Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden counties had more than 100 pending homicide cases.

Those numbers were alarming to me, so I started to engage with leaders in the community who work most closely with the court system and I came to learn that these vacancies were only the tip of the iceberg here in Berkshire County.

I learned that no Superior Court or District Court judge had been appointed from the Berkshires since the current incumbent took office. As a result, there is not a single Superior Court judge who lives in the Berkshires today, and several of the District Court judges drive in from other counties to support Berkshire courts in Pittsfield, Great Barrington, and North Adams. Court staff also informed me about severe staffing shortages at the Berkshire Clerk of Courts office resulting in other counties needing to loan staff to the Berkshires just so hardworking employees can take a brief and planned summer vacation. This is not normal. These issues are a reflection of genuine problems with the Berkshire County court system and show a lack of proactive attention from our Governor's Councilor.

Instead of focusing on regional equity, I watched as the current incumbent celebrated that she has voted against the governor's nominees more than any other councilor, without much explanation as to why. Most recently, she voted against two extremely qualified former prosecutors for the Parole Board. This was despite an in-person plea from the governor and a letter of support from all the three of the district attorney's from Western Mass. Those votes do not show independence or standing up for principles, they demonstrate naivete, and an unwillingness to work with the key stakeholders.

I had seen and heard enough. I decided to jump in the race and challenge the incumbent to address these problems head-on.

I am a partner of a regional law firm. I understand our courts and the importance of having qualified, fair and hardworking judges. And I know how important it is to have judges from the Berkshires serving the Berkshires. To achieve that, you need strong relationships with the legal community and local stakeholders. You need to know how to use the power of the Governor's Council to fight forcefully for our region. And you need to be laser focused on identifying vacancies before they occur so that they can be filled quickly with local candidates.

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