California warns against fake ads offering discounted vehicle registrations

Californians are being cautioned by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about fraudulent advertisements circulating on social media. These ads falsely claim to offer discounted vehicle registration renewal services, which is against state law. The DMV has emphasized that it does not provide discounts for such renewals and will never solicit payment or personal information through unofficial channels.

The scam in question promotes a 50% discount on vehicle registration renewal fees via social media posts. These posts ask for payments through online applications and request sensitive information like license plate numbers, Vehicle Identification Numbers, and full names of customers.

To protect themselves from fraud, the DMV advises Californians to only conduct business through its official website or authorized businesses listed under its Business Partner Automation program. Customers should verify a business's authorization on the DMV’s website before proceeding with any transactions.

The DMV offers several tips to help individuals avoid falling victim to these scams:

- Avoid offers for discounted DMV services as they are not provided by unauthorized third parties or on social media.

- Do not respond to unsolicited or suspicious texts asking for personal or financial details.

- Verify the source of any communication by contacting the DMV through official channels if unsure.

- Reach out to the DMV customer service team at 800-777-0133 if there are any concerns.

The department also encourages customers to utilize its online services and other available channels for completing most transactions, including driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals, which are no longer processed at physical DMV offices. Additionally, customers can use the Service Advisor tool on the DMV website to explore their options for completing various tasks.

For those interested in receiving paperless notices for vehicle registration and driver’s license renewals, an opt-in process is available by creating a secure online account at dmv.ca.gov.