The Missouri Department of Revenue is warning residents about a surge in phishing scam text messages falsely claiming to be from the department or the Department of Motor Vehicles. The messages accuse recipients of owing unpaid traffic violations or toll charges and threaten consequences like suspension of driving privileges. The department emphasized that it does not request payment or personal information through text messages and urged recipients not to click links or provide information. Scammers typically send urgent or threatening messages in waves, targeting people during tax season. The department advises people to be cautious and report any suspicious messages.