Latest news with #JohnMarasco
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
DMV warns of latest texting scam in NH
Scam text The New Hampshire Department of Safety's Division of Motor Vehicles is warning residents of a text message scam where recipients are asked to send a payment immediately to resolve a traffic violation. DMV officials said Monday they received multiple reports of text messages (shown above) claiming to be 'a final notice' and warning recipients a 'traffic violation remains unpaid.' Officials with the New Hampshire Department of Safety's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) are warning residents of a text message scam where recipients are asked to send a payment immediately to resolve a traffic violation. DMV officials said Monday they have received multiple reports of text messages claiming to be 'a final notice,' warning recipients a 'traffic violation remains unpaid.' The scam threatens recipients with enforcement penalties, including potential legal prosecution, credit damage and the suspension of their vehicle registration and driver's license if immediate payment is not made. The URL address provided for payment in the fraudulent text includes 'nhgov' in it, which makes it appear to be an official State of New Hampshire website. DMV officials said the department never sends text messages regarding payments — the only text messages sent are appointment reminders. 'We urge all residents to remain vigilant for scams and encourage anyone who feels unsure about a communication from the DMV to contact our Customer Service line directly at (603) 227-4000,' said DMV Director John Marasco in a statement. Anyone who receives a text message claiming to be from the New Hampshire DMV should not submit payment or any personal information and delete the message immediately, officials said. Anyone who believes they are a victim of a scam or identity theft are advised to file a report with their local police department, review personal credit reports, and consider setting up fraud alerts or a credit freeze. Identity theft victims can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at or call 1-877-438-4338.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Airport security problems persist with New Hampshire's new licenses, officials say
Just days before airport security checkpoints will require Real IDs or passports for anyone 18 or older flying in the U.S., New Hampshire's new driver's licenses are giving Transportation Security Administration scanners fits, safety officials said Friday. Although the problems with the TSA's ability to process the IDs were known soon after the state rolled out the new licenses in January, the Division of Motor Vehicles continued with a big push this year to get federally compliant Real IDs in the hands of as many residents as possible. Approximately 65% of all state ID holders have Real IDs, and the DMV expected that number to rise before the May 7 deadline. Recently, residents have jammed DMV offices, three of which will be open an extra day this Saturday just for folks to get a Real ID. Although it takes up to 60 days for the cards to get to residents through the mail, officials said. If you have the older New Hampshire license or non-driver card that is already Real ID-compliant, you're fine. If the hiccups with scanning the new IDs continue, travelers should consider carrying extra identification, such as a passport or birth certificate, to avoid lengthy delays. Still, the manual verification process can take up to 40 minutes and travelers could miss their flights if they don't show up early enough, officials said. 'TSA has alternate measures in place for situations where the credential authentication technology system is unable to validate an ID as well as the ability to verify the identity of those passengers who do not have their ID,' TSA New England Region spokesperson Daniel Velez said. DMV Director John Marasco said the state has been working with its vendor and the TSA to resolve the problems. Last month, Marasco said the kinks were all but worked out, but residents and security officials have seen lingering difficulties. 'Everyone who has received the new design should rest assured that their identification is valid, REAL ID-compliant, and was thoroughly reviewed and approved by a variety of stakeholders, including the Department of Homeland Security, before it was finalized and went into production,' he said. In a written statement, DMV officials said they contacted the company that produced the new ID cards and they confirmed the issue was the TSA's system, not the licenses. TSA officials told the DMV that the new design will soon be fully integrated into its system nationwide. For more information about Real IDs and how to verify your identity at a TSA security checkpoint, visit dpierce@
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Getting There: New Hampshire's new driver's licenses aren't just pretty, they're practical
John Marasco had his work cut out for him. New Hampshire driver's licenses were already really cool with the Old Man of the Mountain featured prominently. But the Division of Motor Vehicles director really outdid himself with the new design this year. Getting There By incorporating the Old Man into the golden Real ID star logo, bringing the state flower to the forefront, changing the standard light blue headings to a green worthy of our tree-covered, mountainous terrain, and adding 'Live Free or Die' in microscopic text, Marasco created possibly the prettiest and most practical license in the country. Take that, boring Massachusetts. 'We worked on that project for about a year and a half, and I can tell you that it's one of the most strategic, time-focused projects that that I've ever been a part of,' Marasco said last week at the Concord DMV. 'I mean, we would with the vendor at times, we would have three, four meetings a day, and that would go on. We had a repertoire of those meetings all throughout the last year leading up to implementation. "Why? What does it entail? The final product of the card itself is really a technological wonder. The security features that are in there and everything that was done to make sure that the card ties into the fabric of New Hampshire history and values.' The new high-tech ID cards were approved by the Department of Homeland Security, have anti-fraud measures, and if you look closely enough, you'll even see some hidden 'Easter eggs.' 'If you take a magnifying glass ... what you're going to see is on the front and back, micro text: 'Live Free or Die.' And you're also going to see all of your counties, landmarks throughout the state. It's an incredible credential. I think it's the most appealing-looking license in the country.' Agreed. If you love the state's flower — purple lilac — well, you can actually see that now, too. 'If you look at the front of the old license, there's actually a purple lilac, but you'd never know it. It looks like a gyroscope. We wanted to do something this time around that was more pronounced,' Marasco said. The state had to make it so the license could be produced roughly 360,000 times a year in 14 different DMV offices and 60 counters. That meant new equipment, training and a nightmare for quality control so the lines at the DMV don't get any longer. 'Every one of those counters has a desktop on one side and a screen on the other. It's got the camera, which is state-of-the-art. It's got the signature pad. It's got two different ways to verify documents — Social Security cards, passports, document verification. The printer. Sixty counters around the state had to have all the old equipment come out, all the new equipment go up.' Finally, for any hockey fans out there, it's also neat that every New Hampshire license number starts with 'NHL.' Talk about icing on the cake, eh? Real ID deadline On May 7, anyone who wants to fly within the U.S. must have a Real ID or face possible delays getting through security. New Hampshire has one of the highest percentages of compliance in the country with more than 65% already all set, the DMV director said. If you were wondering, at the end of March there were still more than 66,000 drivers or state-issued ID holders who have said, 'Nah' to the Real ID. Marasco said the state will continue to offer the slightly cheaper non-compliant option, but he anticipates the Real ID percentage to rise over 70% by the deadline. Exit 4A update If the weather is nice enough, the Department of Transportation will begin work on Folsom Road in Derry at 7 a.m. Sunday between Ferland Drive and the Franklin Street intersection to put in a temporary pipe for Shields Brook to flow through the construction area. Work is expected to be done on Monday, but drivers will have to maneuver around a detour. The work is part of the $31 million interchange project to create Exit 4A on Interstate 93 and construct a wide access road, up to seven lanes at one point, to get drivers in and out of the heart of Derry. For traffic updates, visit
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Attention New Hampshire flyers: The May 7 Real ID deadline is for real
The DMV was the place to be this past week with the deadline looming for Real ID. More than 50 people spent their lunch hour Thursday waiting about 15 minutes to get the federally compliant driver's licenses or state-issued identification at the Division of Motor Vehicles in Concord. Twenty years since the Real ID Act was signed into law, about 65% of New Hampshire license or ID holders are already all set. The rest of you have some work to do. Starting May 7, anyone over 18 who wants to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building or nuclear power plant will need a Real ID or a combination of other accepted documents. People across the U.S. have been jamming DMV offices ahead of the deadline. But be warned: In New Hampshire it can take up to 60 days to get your license or non-driver ID card through the mail, and the temporary paper IDs issued by the DMV won't be enough on their own to get you through airport security. So, if your sister's destination wedding is in July, the time is now. 'People should be prepared if they go to the airport on May 7. They're going to see a larger TSA agent presence. If you have the Real ID, or you have a passport or you have one of the other documents that's listed on the TSA website ( you're going to be just fine,' said John Marasco, the state director of motor vehicles. And if you don't? 'They are going to do random screening and with that you run the risk of being held up for a period of time, and/or being turned away,' Marasco said. Attention New Hampshire flyers: The May 7 Real ID deadline is for real Director of Motor Vehicles John Marasco speaks with a reporter about Real ID at the DMV in Concord on Thursday. The federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) handles airport security. For more information, visit Marasco said the screening can take up to 45 minutes to get through the TSA checkpoint without a Real ID. Manchester's Cindy Dawson was up for renewal last August, so she opted in for the Real ID. 'It took me two tries because I didn't bring all the forms the first time, but they made it clear online. I just didn't read it carefully,' Dawson said. 'If you bring all your forms, it takes no time.' She didn't have travel plans when she renewed, but 'I plan to in the future, so I knew it would make it easier,' she said. Alternatives to Real ID Other acceptable forms of identification include a U.S. or foreign passport, permanent resident card, border-crossing card, U.S. Department of Defense ID, and U.S. citizenship or immigration card. For a complete list, visit For folks who don't have one of those other one-and-done IDs and won't have a Real ID in time, officials recommend bringing a regular driver's license or state ID that didn't expire more than a year ago and a Social Security card and/or birth certificate. Those might help you get through the extra TSA screening, but you'll still be held up until the verification process is complete. The more documents you bring, the quicker the screening might go. Attention New Hampshire flyers: The May 7 Real ID deadline is for real Wendell 'Bud' Durling of Sanbornton gets photo taken for his Real ID at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Concord on Thursday. The deadline to have a Real ID is May 7. What is the Real ID? After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the 9/11 Commission recommended national security standards for state-issued IDs, and Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005. 'Eighteen of the 19 hijackers that were involved in the 9/11 attacks had multiple licenses and multiple identifications,' Marasco said. In addition to Real ID, there's a program called State to State, which connects all DMVs to a database to ensure that every person has only one valid state ID. Even if you live in Florida during the winter and in New Hampshire the rest of the year, you cannot have an active license in each state at the same time. This includes commercial licenses. Who needs a Real ID? Travelers 18 or older flying within the United States. New Hampshire will continue to offer the non-compliant state driver's licenses and IDs for people who don't need the extra level of security for personal or professional purposes. How to tell if you have a Real ID? In the top right corner of a Real ID, there's a gold circle with a star in the middle — or if you have the newly designed New Hampshire ID, there's a gold Old Man of the Mountain with a star in the middle. How to get a Real ID Residents can go online and schedule an appointment at their nearest DMV office. The state has 14 locations. To find the DMV nearest you, visit Walk-ins are accepted when it's not overly busy, but your wait time will be longer than if you make an appointment. 'They said 15 minutes, but it was a little longer because there are so many people coming in,' Wendell 'Bud' Durling of Sanbornton said Thursday in Concord. A new Real ID costs $10 more than the non-compliant ones or $3 more if it's a renewal, Marasco said. To convert to a Real ID, you'll need proof of identity, Social Security and residency. For identity, you need one of the following: original birth certificate with a raised seal; certificate of naturalization or citizenship; a passport; a permanent resident card; an I-94 card for asylum or refugee status; or government-issued documentation. All documents must be valid and unexpired. To prove you have a Social Security number, you must show one of the following: your Social Security card; paystub with your Social Security number; W-2 tax form with your full Social Security number; or a 1099 tax form with your full Social Security number. For the residency requirement, you'll need TWO of the following: an unexpired driver's license or non-driver ID card with your current address; a vehicle title application prepared by a town or city clerk or tax collector; a New Hampshire vehicle registration; a signed lease, rental agreement or deed for your address; a property tax bill from the current year; verification by a parent or guardian; a notarized letter from a property owner or resident dated within the last 60 days; a mortgage statement for your current address; a utility bill for your home; a government check or document issued within the last 60 days; or a payroll document or employment contract dated within 60 days. Marriage certificates But wait, there's more. One of the most common documents people forget to bring to the DMV is a marriage certificate if their name has changed. The state needs to see proof if your current name doesn't match your other documents. This was a common problem with New Hampshire's new voter ID law that gave voters fits in March. For those wondering why you can't just use a Real ID for everything, there are subtle differences for flying and voting. The Real ID verifies someone's identity. New Hampshire's voter ID law requires verification of citizenship. In a nutshell, you can fly if you're not a citizen, but you can't vote. TSA scanner problems Because the TSA is a federal agency, it uses a different system than the state. TSA has had some issues since New Hampshire's new IDs came out this year. 'I just took a trip to Orlando and they held us up a bit because of the new license. I don't know what they didn't like about it,' said Clarke Center of Keene, who was at the DMV Thursday to renew vehicle his registration. Marasco said the feds approved the state's new IDs, but TSA is playing catchup. Those problems appear to be mostly resolved, he said. 'We issue you the federally compliant credential. What goes on May 7 at the airport, and how they're going to work with that credential, or any other documents to get on an aircraft, that's outside of our scope,' he said. Attention New Hampshire flyers: The May 7 Real ID deadline is for real Seated in front of a Real ID poster, Carol Reid of Keene waits her turn at the Division of Motor Vehicles in Concord on Thursday. The poster is part of an awareness campaign sponsored by the DMV to alert residents of the May 7 federal Real ID deadline. As of that date, Real ID will be required for domestic air travel in the United States. Travelers without it will be subject to lengthy screening and delays. If you don't know by now The DMV launched a large-scale, yearlong advertising and marketing campaign called 'Reach New Heights' leading up to the deadline. The blitz included a video of former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski. After Real ID enforcement was delayed for several years and disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Marasco said he wanted his team to get the word out in a big way. 'If you go to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, you'll see our posters that we created in-house a year ago. If you're waiting for your flight, you'll see our Real ID information on the monitors. You'll see our posters in the elevators at the airport and the parking garage. We've done a good job marketing with them,' he said. 'New Hampshire has gone the extra mile to get it out there. I don't think there is anybody who can say 'I live in New Hampshire and I didn't know I had to get my Real ID.'' The result is one of the highest percentages of people with Real IDs among the 50 states, he said. 'I think with the rushes that we're having in the lobby right now over the last couple of weeks, I think it's likely we could be closer to 70% by the time we get into the beginning or middle of May,' Marasco said. dpierce@
