DMV OFFICIALS TO NEW YORKERS: Beware of phony websites from scam messages
ALBANY, NY- Scammers are on the prowl in search to snag your personal information and officials are warning residents to beware of phony websites from text messages and/or emails.
Lately, scammers have been reaching out to their victims via text message, while pretending to be from the New York State DMV or tolling agencies.
According to DMV officials, these culprits design phony websites and phishing text messages to look legitimate, all to trick people into providing personal information that can be used to commit identity theft and fraud.
“DMV does not send texts to our customers demanding immediate payment, and our website provides information at the top to help users know it is legitimate," said New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder
"If you provided personal information through one of these scams, you should review your financial account statements to check for unauthorized charges.”
Phishing texts and imitation websites are designed to obtain data or sensitive personal information to be used to commit identity theft or trick the recipient into installing malicious software onto a computer or mobile device.
Scammers often target older adults and other vulnerable New Yorkers, using urgent language to pressure victims into acting quickly. New Yorkers are urged to check in with relatives, friends or neighbors who may be at greater risk of falling victim to these schemes.
The scams claim to be from DMV and that a driver’s license is about to be suspended. A very short window of time is then given for payment. Previous scams have claimed that E-ZPass accounts were about to be suspended.
Here are two of the latest examples (spoofed website and scam text):
The New York State Department of Information Technology Services offers advice on avoiding these phishing attacks:
- Be cautious about all communications you receive, including those that claim to be from "trusted entities." Be careful when clicking any links contained within those messages. If in doubt, do not click.
- Do not send your personal information via email. Legitimate businesses will not ask users to send sensitive personal information through email.
- Keep an eye out for telltale signs: poor spelling or grammar, the use of threats, or the URL does not match that of the legitimate site.
- Be wary of how much information you post online. The less information you post, the less data you make available to a cybercriminal for use in developing a potential attack or scam.
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