Latest news with #GeorgiaDepartmentofDriverServices
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Scammers threatening drivers with suspended registrations now a nationwide problem
Have you gotten a text message that appears to be from the 'Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles?' You're not alone. Thousands of people across the country have gotten them. But these messages are fake. They claim to suspend your vehicle registration and driving privileges unless you pay your outstanding traffic ticket. Channel 2's Michael Seiden spoke with the Georgia Department of Driver Services and confirmed it's a phishing scam. Officials with the DDS say they've seen a major increase in calls and emails regarding this scam. 'We have heard from many, many, many people that have received the text,' said DDS spokeswoman Susan Sports. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In fact, Sports says, the texts are incorrect from the very beginning. The State of Georgia doesn't even have a statewide Department of Motor Vehicles. 'We don't have a state DMV in Georgia. It is Georgia Department of Driver Services,' she said. Sports says a link in the text message that takes you to a website that asks you to enter personal and banking information. Officials say criminals looking to steal your money are behind the texts. 'Before a suspension or before anything like that would happen, we notify our customers in writing,' Sports explained. TRENDING STORIES: Trump pardons Todd and Julie Chrisley: What are the next steps? Kool & the Gang member dies in car crash in Mableton Former DeKalb officer takes plea in killing of unarmed, naked Black man 10 years ago Seiden went to a DDS office on Wednesday afternoon where several drivers knew about the texts. 'I went to the DMV, yeah, and it's a police officer there,' driver Jabril Mohammad said. 'I said, 'Where do I go pay this fine?' He said, 'Let me see it.' I showed it to him. He said, 'That's a scam.'' State officials say you can protect yourself by downloading the DDS app on your phone. 'Anytime there's a change in your driver's license, we will send you a notification that your status has changed, and you can contact us to find out the change,' Sports said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Scammers targeting Georgia drivers with fake ticket text messages
The Brief Georgia officials are warning drivers to be on the lookout for a scam text message about phony traffic tickets. The texts usually come with a link to a fraudulent website that scammers can use to take your money and personal information. Officials say you should look out for references to Georgia's "State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)," because Georgia doesn't have that agency. Scammers are targeting Georgia drivers using threatening text messages, and officials want to make sure you don't get fooled. The Georgia Department of Driver Services is sending out a warning to watch out for a new text message scam attempting to steal money and personal information. What we know The agency posted the warning on its Facebook page, saying that they've received reports of the new scam that could be popping up in your messages. The texts look like a message from the "Georgia State Department of Motor Vehicles," saying that the recipient has an outstanding traffic ticket that needs to be paid immediately. If you don't pay, the scammers allege, you could have your license suspended or be prosecuted. The texts usually come with a link to a fraudulent website that scammers can use to take your information - including driver's license details. What they're saying "DDS employees do not contact customers to ask for payment or other confidential information. Anyone who receives such communication should consider it a scam. Customers who are pending a license suspension or other changes in their license status are notified in writing by DDS," DDS Commissioner Angelique B. McClendon said in a statement. "Anyone who receives these — or similar — text messages should not open or respond to them and instead delete such messages immediately." Dig deeper Officials say a red flag to be on the lookout for is a reference to a "Department of Motor Vehicles." That agency does not exist in Georgia. Instead, the Peach State has a Department of Driver Services. What you can do If you are ever unsure if a message is real or not, you can reach out to your local law enforcement department for guidance. If you want to check possible outstanding tickets or your license status, you can go directly to the official site at The Source Information for this story came from a Facebook post by the Georgia Department of Driver Services and a report by FOX 5's Kaitlyn Pratt.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
GA Dept. of Driver Services warning about new text scam
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is warning drivers about a new text message scam that is attempting to steal money and personal information. DDS says the scam messages are claiming to be from from the State Department of Motor Vehicles, but Georgia does not have a DMV. Messages are asking drivers to pay outstanding tickets or risk having their license suspended. According to the department, DDS team members will never contact drivers via text for money or personal information. People who receive texts such as these, are asked not to respond. The status of Georgia Driver's Licenses can be verified at the department's official website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Did you get a text like this? GA Dept. Of Drivers Services warns it's a scam
Officials with the Georgia Department of Driver Services are warning the public about a new text message-based scam that is trying to steal your money and your driver's license information. Here's how it works: the criminal will send you a text message asking you to follow a fraudulent link and pay an outstanding traffic ticket. The message claims to be from the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles. However, that agency does not exist in Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The link takes you to a website that looks similar to the official DDS site, but it's not. 'DDS employees do not contact customers to ask for payment or other confidential information. Anyone who receives such communication should consider it a scam. Customers who are pending a license suspension or other changes in their license status are notified in writing by DDS. Anyone who receives these — or similar — text messages should not open or respond to them and instead delete such messages immediately,' DDS Commissioner Angelique B. McClendon said. You can quickly check the status of your driver's license at their actual, secure website: TRENDING STORIES: Man killed in shooting at Atlanta park Police ask for help identifying man they say shot, killed homeowner during robbery Man sentenced to nearly 6 years for buying 150+ guns in GA, trying to smuggle them to Mexico [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Georgians could use e-driver's licenses if new bill passes
State lawmakers are weighing a bill that would let Georgians use a digital driver's license while they're out on the roads. State Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens) introduced House Bill 296. The legislation would amend state code so drivers wouldn't be limited to just a physical driver's license. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Georgia Department of Driver Services first launched a digital option for driver's licenses in 2023, but it did not apply to driving purposes. Georgians can only use them right now at select TSA security checkpoints, including some at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. If approved, HB 296 would remove that restriction. Law enforcement officers would have to accept the electronic driver's license if it's presented to them. But if you're caught without either form of a license, the bill doesn't get rid of a fine. A driver who is pulled over without a physical or digital license would pay a $10 fine after showing the license in court. As of Tuesday, the bill is before the House Motor Vehicles Committee. If approved by the committee, the bill would head to the full Georgia House for a vote. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
