RMV: Beware of Scam Texts

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.

Pittsfield Council Says 'Yes' to Soccer at Crane Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:35AM / Saturday, June 13, 2026

The pitch will have the logos of the city and the US. and Massachusetts soccer associations. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is gladly accepting a "mini-pitch" from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to bring games back to Crane Park. 

Fueling excitement around the World Cup, U.S. Soccer has been working with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer League to make these facilities available to 20 communities — one of which will be at the park at the intersection of Benedict Road and Springside Avenue. 

The City Council accepted the gift on Tuesday during its regular meeting. 

A mini pitch is a compact, modular field typically used for soccer, and it can also accommodate inline skates. It has a galvanized steel border with built-in goals and a rubber plastic surface that is clicked together; installed on the existing inline hockey court. 

Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham said he has gone door to door speaking with nearby residents, and they are "really excited" about the upgrade. He also sees it as a great addition. 

"They say that nobody really uses the court a ton now, and they are excited to see kids back on there playing," he said. 

Decades ago, the Crane Park facility was a wading pool. It closed in 1980, and before the turn of the century, it was filled in and marked for hockey. 

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained that the wooden border around the rink is showing its age, has been vandalized and tagged, and the facility is seeing a "real decline" in use. 

"This would seem to be an appropriate spot for us to remove the board system that's in place and install the mini pitch system through this grant," he said.