ADOT warns of fraudulent ‘DMV’ websites and misleading advertising

PHOENIX — Most of us will need some type of driver license, identification card or vehicle registration services at one time or another. Today, many of those services can be performed online. Unfortunately, Internet resources are being used by scam artists misrepresenting themselves as official motor vehicle division entities or soliciting for vehicle maintenance warranties or insurance with the primary goal of taking a customer’s money and obtaining their personal information.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is alerting customers that there are various fraudulent websites falsely offering motor vehicle services such as Arizona driver licenses, IDs, vehicle titles and registration. The fraudulent websites appear in a searches with keywords such as MVD or DMV.

The website scams promise services that are not fulfilled. Instead, the sites illegally obtain a customer’s credit card number and charge the credit card account for the bogus services. The captured credit card information may also be used for future fraudulent purchases and charges.

ServiceArizona.com is the only authorized website for all Arizona MVD transactions. Customers can use ServiceArizona.com  to conduct many routine motor vehicle transactions, such as applying for a duplicate driver license or driver license reinstatement, renewing a vehicle registration, purchasing a specialty/personalized license plate, obtaining a copy of a driver license or vehicle record, checking a vehicle identification number for liens before purchasing a used vehicle, registering to vote or updating personal contact information.

ADOT MVD does not allow the initial issuance or renewal of a driver license via the Internet. To do so a customer must visit a local MVD or Authorized Third-Party office.

Additionally, consumers should be wary of phone solicitations. ADOT MVD does not conduct phone solicitations for driver license, title/registration services, vehicle warranties or insurance. Customers should not give out their personal information when receiving phone calls from an entity fraudulently representing itself as MVD, ADOT or DMV to sell any type of service or product.

ADOT does not promote commercial business through mail or phone solicitations, nor does it endorse or advertise for online businesses claiming to provide MVD services.

There are numerous legitimate businesses that offer motor vehicle support services such as practice tests or tips for completing the driver license application process. ADOT MVD also has Authorized Third Party offices, which are private businesses licensed and authorized to perform MVD transactions.

ADOT’s goal is to prevent its customers from becoming victims of fraud and identity theft. The only authorized ways to conduct Arizona driver license or vehicle title/registration transactions are either in person at any ADOT MVD or Authorized Third Party office, online through ServiceArizona.com or by standard mail.

For further information about ADOT MVD services, please visit azdot.gov/mvd.