Be Aware of Scam DMV Lookalike Sites
The DMV has helped people practice social distancing during the pandemic by putting more services online, but doing so has also opened the door to scammers.
According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers have created lookalike websites designed to fool consumers into thinking they're taking care of DMV business, such as getting a REAL ID or renewing a drivers license, when they're actually getting ripped off.
These lookalike sites can look very convincing, but before you start to provide any personal or payment information it is recommended that you take the following precautions:
- Double check the URL before you enter personal and payment information. It can be easy to click on a sponsored ad or imposter website without noticing. Before you enter any sensitive information, double check that you are on the right website and that the link is secure. (Secure links start with “https://” and include a lock icon on the purchase page. Please click here for more information)
- Be wary of third-party websites. Some websites appear to offer a legitimate service but are only fronts for a scam. Be suspicious of websites with no working customer service number and no physical address. Typos and grammatical errors can be indications of a scammer’s handiwork, too.
- Make online purchases with your credit card. Fraudulent charges made on a credit card can usually be disputed, whereas that might not be the case with other payment methods. Unfortunately, there is no way to get back the personal information you may have shared.
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