DMV warns of discounted registration renewal scams on social media. How to avoid the con
Residents have reported seeing deceptive social media advertisements claiming to renew a vehicle registration at a 50% discount, the DMV said on Wednesday.
Fact check: State law prohibits the DMV from offering discounted vehicle registration renewals.
The deceptive advertisement asks for personal information, including your full name, license plate number, and the last five digits of the vehicle registration number.
To take advantage of the supposed service, you're asked to pay through the peer-to-peer transaction service Cash App.
Read more: Real ID brings confusion and surprise but relatively few problems at SoCal airports
Fact check: The DMV will never ask for personal information or payment through unofficial channels such as social media sites and transaction applications.
To make a payment to the state department for your vehicle registration renewal, you can:
Make an online payment through your personal account on the DMV website.
Visit a DMV kiosk.
Make an appointment at a DMV office.
'The safest way to renew your vehicle registration is directly through the official DMV website,' said DMV Director Steve Gordon in a statement.
The DMV advises that you take these steps to avoid this recent online scam:
Avoid engaging with any offers of discounted DMV services. The DMV does not offer special deals through unauthorized third parties or on social media.
Never respond to unsolicited or suspicious messages. If you receive a direct message asking for personal or financial information, do not reply.
Verify the source of the post, message or advertisement. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of an online post, you can contact the DMV by calling (800) 777-0133.
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Extreme Steel Inc. Marks One-Year Anniversary of Superior Ironworks Acquisition and Launch of New Website
WINCHESTER, Va., Aug. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Extreme Steel Inc. (ESI), a leader in the structural steel industry, is proud to commemorate the one-year anniversary of ESI's acquisition of Superior Ironworks, which expanded the company's footprint across the DMV with a state-of-the-art fabrication facility in Sterling, VA. This major milestone in the continued growth of ESI is memorialized in the launch of a fully redesigned company website: which showcases the company's expanded portfolio, vertically integrated services and people-first approach to steel construction. 'This anniversary marks more than a date—it demonstrates what's possible when two teams with shared values and complementary strengths come together,' says Robert Pelham, President and CEO, ESI. 'In just twelve months, we've achieved meaningful integration, accelerated our timelines and reinforced our commitment to delivering unmatched steel solutions across the region. ESI has unified operations, integrated teams and achieved record output across a broad portfolio of commercial and institutional projects. We are truly Building American Excellence through smart, vertically integrated steel solutions.' The newly designed website features improved navigation, deeper insights into services and a renewed focus on safety, technology and client impact. 'Our new site tells a clearer story of who we are today: an integrated team focused on performance, precision, and partnership,' Pelham adds. 'We've grown, we've evolved and this platform gives our clients and partners a clear view of where we're headed next.' With four operational hubs and over 300 employees, ESI continues to set the pace for vertically integrated steel delivery in the mid-Atlantic, combining detailing, fabrication, logistics and field erection under one streamlined system. About Extreme Steel, Inc. Headquartered in Winchester, Virginia, Extreme Steel Inc. (ESI) along with its partner and recent acquisition Superior Ironworks in Sterling, VA, revolutionizes structural steel solutions with smart technologies and unmatched expertise. Building American Excellence, ESI sets and exceeds standards of excellence in the structural steel industry – with the right people, right tools and right ideas. ESI puts safety first, which accounts for a supportive, creative and professional work environment and a job done right. Visit Media: Brittany Tedesco CPR Marketing btedesco@ 201-641-1911x14Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Motor 1
21 hours ago
- Motor 1
‘Never Seen Anything Like This:' Missouri Man Trades in Truck. Then the New Driver Discovers He Owes the DMV $3,300
In a viral TikTok that generated 33,500 views as of this writing, car salesman @rideorbuy3 shares how a Missouri man trades a truck in to his dealership and then finds out the new truck buyer owes $3,300 to the DMV. 'Customer trying to avoid sales tax bites us in the A$$,' he captions. The salesman says he bought a truck with a clean and clear South Dakota title and a history report that checked out. While the title was registered in South Dakota, the transaction was taking place in Missouri. After the title clears, he sells the truck to a new customer. The new customer who purchased the truck takes it to the DMV to register the vehicle and finds out he owes $3,300. 'The state of Missouri sees the South Dakota title with a Missouri address and name on the title, which draws up a red flag. Missouri believes they are owed sales tax money, which they are,' the car salesman shares. He continues, 'The reason that the customer registered in South Dakota was South Dakota's sales tax rate's about 4% compared to where he was gonna register here in Missouri was about 9%.' More on the DMV A New Low: People Are Scalping DMV Appointments These Are the Illinois DMV's Most Ridiculous Rejected Custom Plates He explains that Missouri would not let the new owner register the truck until the $3,300 debt was settled, so he cut the customer a check to get the truck out of limbo, since he was innocent in the matter. Meanwhile, 'The guy who sold us the truck is frustrated because he paid 4% sales tax in South Dakota. You should've never paid them anything in sales tax because you don't live there. You can't go to Missouri to knock off the 4% I paid to South Dakota,' the car salesman vents. He asks viewers who should ultimately be responsible for bearing the cost—himself or the previous owner who refused his request to settle the debt? Who Should Pay for This? Commenters chimed in to state that he should pay for the issue because he didn't catch it. 'Your finance department should have caught it,' one TikTok commenter shared. 'That's on the business for not performing their due diligence,' a second added. 'Two decades as a GM, the dealership eats it. It's a house mistake for not investigating the addresses and title discrepancy pre-delivery. You can ask the prior owner to pay, but he will tell you to pound salt. Can't punish either customer,' a former GM worker replied. While commenters agreed the dealership was responsible in this instance, the sales tax is usually paid by the customer registering the car. As J.D. Power reports, 'Even though it's not immediately clear, sales tax applies to every car deal you make. Generally, it is paid by the buyer whenever they register the car.' How Much Is Sales Tax on Cars? Private Auto shares that the sales tax on cars in most states will range from 5% to 9% on motor vehicles. The percentages are determined from the purchase price of the car when it exchanges hands. Used car sales tax is the same as new car sales tax. However, there are five states that have no car sales tax, although local sales tax can still be used. The states are Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Each state sets its own sales tax, so it's best to visit your state's DMV website to find out the percentage. Motor1 has contacted @rideorbuy3 via TikTok direct message. This story will be updated if he replies. Now Trending 'Now We're SOL:' South Carolina Woman Goes to Midas for $50 Oil Change. The Car's Deemed Totaled Immediately After 'I Guarantee This Guy's a Flat Rate Mechanic:' Mechanic Removes Customer's Engine. Then He Shows How Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
I was sent $3K from a random number. The stranger said it was a mistake — then accused me of stealing. Is this a scam
Instant payment apps like Venmo and Apple Cash make it easy to send money to friends or family. But they've also given scammers another way to defraud unsuspecting users. Here's how the latest scam often starts: You get a payment from a number you don't recognize. A few hours or days later, the sender messages you, "Oh, I accidentally sent those funds to the wrong number! I was trying to send my brother-in-law that $3,000! Can you send it back?" It might sound like an honest mistake. Often, it's not. This is known as an accidental deposit scam, and it can cost you thousands. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now How do payment app scams work? In an accidental deposit scam, fraudsters use stolen credit cards or bank account information to send money to random users on apps like Zelle, Apple Cash, Venmo or PayPal. They'll quickly follow up with a message claiming it was a mistake and pressure you to return the funds. Their goal is to get you to transfer your own money to them, which they withdraw immediately. Once the real account owner notices the fraud, their bank reverses the payment, withdrawing it from your account. By then, the scammer is long gone with the money you sent back, leaving you on the hook. Signs you may be dealing with a scammer include: The payment comes from someone you don't know, often for a large sum A request for repayment, sometimes via a different method such as Cash App, Venmo or wire transfer Urgent or emotional messages claiming a crisis or accusing you of theft Contact from multiple phone numbers or attempts to reach your relatives Even if the money shows up in your account, you don't have the right to spend it. Like stolen property, it doesn't belong to you. The safest move is to leave the money alone, notify the app and wait. If the funds were truly sent in error, the app can refund them. If it's fraud, your caution will protect you from being scammed. Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. What should you do if someone you don't know sends you money? If a stranger sends you money through a payment app, do not send it back under any circumstances. Not if they claim to be in crisis, not if they threaten violence and not if they say the app won't let them reverse the charge. Instead: Contact the app's customer support and explain what happened Ignore messages from the sender and block their number if needed Do not spend the funds. If the payment is fraudulent, it will be reversed Payment app companies can investigate and remove funds sent in error. If it's not a scam — though it likely is — the sender will have to go through official channels to resolve it. Scammers may escalate if you don't respond, calling or texting repeatedly, accusing you of theft or threatening legal action. These are scare tactics. Don't engage. Let the payment app handle it. The bottom line: An unexpected deposit followed by a desperate plea to return the funds is almost always a scam. Let the app or your bank deal with it, and never let anyone guilt you into sending money. If you send the funds yourself, it's not considered fraud, and you won't get a refund. What to read next Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Here are 5 simple ways to grow rich with real estate if you don't want to play landlord. And you can even start with as little as $10 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Solve the daily Crossword
