In today’s world, there seems to be a large number of online scams and manipulative hoax’s that target anyone and everyone. The purpose of this website is to ‘dip my toes’ into constructing a website, but it’s also for my Information Systems 101 class at the University of Nevada Reno. We’ve learned how easy it is for these people to take your information, and how many ways there are to do so. A dangerous hoax I’ve recently come across is a DMV hoax. You get a text from a random phone number asking (or rather demanding) that you submit your car information because your registration, driver’s license or something along the lines of these are expired. First, they need your information to ‘prove’ that you’re the correct person that they’re trying to contact, and then they need your debit or credit card information to renew these so-called expired items. What happens with your information and debit card is unknown. They can use it to find you and incriminate you, or they can charge you card with whatever they would like to. These Scams are very dangerous and easy to fall for. The best way to avoid these scams is to simply not respond. If the number isn’t already saved in your phone or doesn’t come up as a normal area code number, it’s very likely that it’s a scam. Also, the DMV would most likely send you a reminder in the mail because they already have your information. Remember, the internet and technology are amazing, but they can also be just as terrifying. Have you ever experienced anything like this before?
Elijah Wickland
Good grief! I get these awful scams all the time!! A couple months ago, I got a text message that said I had a ticket for running a red. I run reds all the time, however, Nevada does not have cameras on their traffic lights and I’ve never been pulled over (from what I can recall). And with the more I looked into it, the more it seemed like a scam. Figured out it wasn’t a scam and I actually got a ticket. But I have received many scam calls/ texts claiming to be the DMV. Outrageous. Very informative article by the way👌
levans
Wow! You better watch out for the red lights, make sure to follow traffic laws that ensure not only you, but everyone around you is safe. But agreed, these scams just seem to be more and more prevalent these days. Thank you for the feedback.
Adilyn Guillen
Yes, I have experienced a scam like this in the past. Most scams I come across are on social media and present as websites that don’t actually exist or sell the products they are listing. There are also many scam emails that end up in my junk mail pretending to be someone who needs my information for whatever reason they can come up with!
levans
Yes! These people are trying to steal your information and lie to you by pretending to be someone that they aren’t. Whether that’s the DMV, a Shopping website or even a fake ‘girlfriend’ online. Be safe out there!
Taylor
Yeah, I totally get what you’re saying. It’s honestly crazy how many scams are out there now, and how real they look. That DMV one sounds super legit at first, so I can see how people fall for it without thinking twice. It’s kinda scary how easy it is for people to get your info just through a text or a fake link.
I’ve definitely gotten a few weird messages like that before. One time I got a text saying there was a “package delay” and I needed to click a link to fix it—even though I wasn’t expecting a package at all. Stuff like that really makes you second-guess everything. I agree though, the best thing to do is just not respond and delete it, because the real DMV or any official place isn’t going to randomly text you from some sketchy number.
Kohen Kaltenbacher
Good grief I have walked into to many scams in my day. I work in the tech industry and I experience internet scammers all the time trying to get information about my company, one time I got one that seemed to real to be true, it was about my wife leaving me and the internet scammer was claiming to be my wife filing for divorce what a drag right? Turns out I actually don’t have a wife and it was just some internet scammer trying to get me to send him money so my imaginary wife wouldn’t divorce me. Outstanding article by the way!!!