LITTLE GEMS

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles is looking out for its consumers in the wake of DMV-related scams.
A new webpage has been published on the DOT’s website as a way of protecting Wisconsin consumers from DMV-related scams, the DOT announced. The new webpage was created as a resource to help consumers learn how to recognize these scams, learn to protect themselves, and give advice on what to do if they are caught up in a phishing scam. The new webpage also showcases images of recent scams that have been reported in Wisconsin.

Transportation departments across the country are reporting similar scams. The most common features of recent phishing attacks include demands for money, requests for urgent action, requests for personal information, and embedding malicious links. These scams also identify as “Department of Motor Vehicles”, rather than the proper Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s official Division of Motor Vehicles. Steps to protect yourself from these scams, as well as guidance on how to proceed if you have been scammed, can be found on the DOT’s website. Consumers can take these steps to protect themselves: Sign up for DMV’s eNotify service (gov/enotify) to receive transaction alerts, which can help identify any suspicious or fraudulent charges or changes to the account. Begin online DMV service at .gov.

Nearly all DMV services can be initiated by the customer online, including renewals, obtaining a title and license plates, and scheduling a visit. Examine the URL and sender of the message. If the URL does not end in (.gov), it is not a message from Wisconsin DMV. Wisconsin DMV will never demand payment via text. Consumers can also follow WisDOT social media to learn about scams that may be spreading in the state.

Place of the Week

The Arboretum in Delavan is a beautiful place for a walk and to enjoy the beautiful weather.