Iowa DOT warns of scam text messages

Lang
7/16/21

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Driver’s License and Identification Services Bureau says it has become aware of text messages being sent to Iowans under the guise of confirming information related to the recipient’s driver’s license or driving record. Officials advise that the messages are misleading and are not coming from the Iowa DOT.

The only time the Iowa DOT will send text messages related to driver’s licenses is to confirm an scheduled appointment, and it will not contains links. Depending on the settings, some mobile devices may generate what looks like a link because it sees the confirmation number as a phone number. Some mobile devices may also attempt to add a link to create an appointment on the phone’s calendar. The Iowa DOT text message is simply a reminder and does not require users to take any action to confirm appointments on mobile devices.

If you receive a text message that appears to be from the Iowa DOT asking you to click a link to confirm or verify information regarding your driver’s license or driving record, the DOT advises do not click the link and delete the text message.