SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Gail Sexton recently received a notice in the mail to renew her driver's license. But when she went online to make an appointment she noticed something wasn't right.
"It'll say dmv.org, California. They're really clever, it looks real," explained Sexton.
The site she ended up on was one of many the DMV warns about:
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is warning the public about websites that are charging customers to complete the electronic driver license and ID card application, for DMV appointments and for other online transactions. The department received reports of websites charging customers a fee to complete the new online driver license application. The DMV’s Investigations Division is investigating these websites for any violation of consumer protection laws.
The DMV wants to remind Californians that there are no additional fees to complete the electronic application or any online services. Also, there is only one official website for conducting business with the DMV, www.dmv.ca.gov. To avoid paying unnecessary fees, only conduct online transactions on this official website.
While many unofficial websites include a disclaimer that they are not an official government website, these private sites may contain inaccurate information about DMV services and fees and may include unnecessary charges and fees that are not required by the DMV. Many of these websites have user agreements that allows them to use customers’ personal information, which includes selling that information to other businesses.
Customers seeking to conduct online transactions are advised to type www.dmv.ca.gov directly into the address line in the web browser to ensure they are visiting the official website. Internet search engines may not always list the official DMV website as the top result and can easily lead customers to a private website.
If a customer believes they have encountered a fraudulent website, email DMV’s Investigations Division at ReportFraud@dmv.ca.gov.
Sexton also told 10 News about the snags she ran into when trying to get her Real ID. Below is a list of documents to bring when you show up to an office.
• One Proof of Identity – original or certified copy (example: valid U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, etc.)
• One Proof of Social Security number – must display full number
• Two Proofs of California Residency – photocopies accepted (example: utility bill, cell phone bill, bank statement, vehicle registration card, etc.)
