Michigan SOS Warns of Scam Texts and Schedules June 19 System Maintenance
The Michigan Department of State (also known as the Secretary of State or SOS) is urging residents to be on the lookout for fraudulent text messages and QR codes that appear to come from the agency. In a consumer alert posted on its website, the department warns that scammers are sending texts that claim to be from the Secretary of State and may include a QR code or link. The messages often direct recipients to submit personal information or payment to avoid a supposed service interruption. Officials stress that the SOS will never ask customers to provide sensitive information or make payments via text message. Anyone who receives a suspicious text or email should not click on links or scan QR codes and should instead report the message to the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods to trick residents into disclosing personal data. According to the SOS, some fake texts have contained QR codes that, when scanned, take the victim to a phishing site designed to capture Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and credit card details. The department reminds customers that official reminders from the SOS are typically sent by mail or through the state’s official online portals. If a customer is unsure about the legitimacy of a communication, they can check the status of their driver’s license or vehicle registration by visiting Michigan.gov/SOS or by calling the agency directly. The department also encourages residents to sign up for SOS newsletters and alerts through its official website to receive trusted information about service changes and deadlines.
In the same announcement, the Michigan SOS informs customers about scheduled maintenance on the national driver licensing system. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), which maintains the national database for driver’s license and identification card transactions, will perform system maintenance early Friday morning, June 19, 2026. As a result, all driver’s license and state identification transactions will be unavailable from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. that day. Vehicle and license plate renewals will still be available online and at self‑service stations, but customers seeking a new driver’s license or state ID should plan around the outage. The SOS notes that in‑person offices will be closed during the outage anyway, but online transactions may be affected. The maintenance window is necessary for national system upgrades and cannot be rescheduled.
The Michigan SOS apologizes for any inconvenience and thanks customers for their patience. By warning residents about scam texts and providing advance notice of scheduled maintenance, the department aims to protect customers’ data and ensure smoother service delivery. Residents who suspect they have received a fraudulent message can file a complaint with the attorney general or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 877‑765‑8388. For more information about SOS services, including how to complete many transactions online, visit Michigan.gov/SOS.