Press Release

9/01/09

Fake DMV Site Shut Down: Stole Personal Identification from Unsuspecting Customers

Last week Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul warned prospective on-line DMV customers that a fake site called www.nysdmv.org was taking customers' money for license and registration renewals, charging an extra $10 for the service and $15 for mailing. Even worse, it has been revealed that this was simply a means to "mine" information such as credit card numbers, license plate numbers, names and addresses from unsuspecting customers without receiving the requested documents in return.

"I will repeat, that the safest way for customers to ensure their transactions and personal information are safe is a visit to the Auto Bureau. Internet hackers and scam artists are everywhere, and I would not want any of our customers to be deceived into divulging highly sensitive information at a fake site," said Hochul.

County Clerks across the State sounded the alarm when victims began coming into local auto bureaus complaining about not receiving DMV documents they ordered online. Attorney General Cuomo's office was alerted, and following an investigation, it was determined that www.nysdmv.org was launched in Madrid, Spain and was used to steal identity information. County Clerk Hochul thanked the Attorney General for his quick response and efforts to end this fraudulent practice. Victims should continue to contact the Attorney General's Office.