{"id":283154,"date":"2025-06-04T13:03:35","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T20:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/?page_id=283154"},"modified":"2025-06-04T13:19:07","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T20:19:07","slug":"dmv-warns-of-fraudulent-advertisements-on-discounted-vehicle-registration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dmv.ca.gov\/portal\/news-and-media\/news-releases\/dmv-warns-of-fraudulent-advertisements-on-discounted-vehicle-registration\/","title":{"rendered":"DMV Warns of Fraudulent Advertisements on Discounted Vehicle Registration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657\u20136437 |\u00a0dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers should not respond to deceptive advertisements<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What you need to know: <\/strong>Californians <\/strong>report seeing deceptive social media advertisements offering assistance to renew vehicle registration at discounted rates. State law prohibits the DMV from offering discounted vehicle registration renewals. If you see an advertisement for discounted DMV fees, do not reach out to the advertiser.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sample of a fraudulent social media message advertising discounted vehicle registration renewals.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Sacramento<\/strong> \u2014<\/strong>The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is warning Californians to avoid advertisements that claim to offer discounted DMV services. The DMV does not offer discounts on vehicle registration renewals and will never ask for payment or personal information through unofficial channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest scam uses social media posts to offer 50% off vehicle registration renewal fees. The posts request payment through online payment applications and request customers\u2019 license plate, Vehicle Identification Number and the customer\u2019s full name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DMV reminds customers to conduct their DMV business online at the official DMV website or through the authorized businesses listed in its official Business Partner Automation program<\/a> for vehicle registration and title services. To avoid fraud, customers should always verify a business\u2019 authorization on the DMV\u2019s website before completing any DMV transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe safest way to renew your vehicle registration is directly through the official DMV website,\u201d said DMV Director Steve Gordon. \u201cWe do not offer discounts, and we never conduct official business through social media or other unofficial channels.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Take these steps to reduce the chances of falling victim to online scams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n