CARSON CITY - The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is warning customers to be on alert for online scams posing as DMV services.
The notice follows a recent report from a resident who visited a fraudulent website, which appeared to be the official DMV website, and communicated via chatbot with an "employee" to assist in booking an appointment. The customer was asked to provide personal information, including a driver's license number, social security number, and payment details for a fake "appointment fee."
"We will never charge any customer a booking fee, as our appointments have been and always will be free," said DMV Director Tonya Laney. "Luckily in this case, the customer did not provide any payment details, but they did provide personal identifying information. Always be sure to check the URL when visiting our website. A scammer cannot legitimately register a .gov domain unless they are an actual U.S. government agency."
To spot and rectify any suspicious activity, the DMV urges customers to frequently check their banking and checking accounts, obtain free credit reports to review accounts and correct unauthorized inquiries, and report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
"Always remember that if something feels off during any part of a transaction, chances are, you are correct," said Laney. "If you feel uneasy with your online transaction, do not hesitate to contact us. We want to hear from you."