New Delhi, June 10 -- The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has issued a warning to residents about a widespread text messaging scam falsely claiming to be from the BMV. The phishing campaign is designed to trick Ohioans into providing personal or financial information by threatening immediate license suspension over fake traffic tickets.

Ohioans have reported receiving alarming text messages claiming to be from the "Ohio Department of Vehicles (BMV)." The message falsely warns recipients that they have unpaid traffic tickets and demands immediate payment to avoid suspension of driving privileges and other penalties. The fraudulent message references a fabricated legal code - "Ohio State State Administrative Code 15C-16.003" - and incl...