Common Scam With Real ID Licenses Revealed at Deadline
Wednesday marked the REAL ID deadline, meaning Americans must have the new form of identification to fly domestically and access some federal buildings.
If you don't have a REAL ID--discernible by a gold star in the corner--you'll actually still be able to fly, but the process may take longer. Still, the need to obtain a REAL ID if you haven't already is pressing for some folks, which could open the door for scammers to take advantage.
According to the Better Business Bureau, one major red flag to keep an eye on is websites offering REAL IDs, which can only be secured by visiting a DMV in person.
“Something that we do see that’s similar are passports and passport renewals. People get in a hurry because they’ve got a trip coming up, and they start looking online on how to expedite that, and scammers create websites to take advantage of that and confused consumers," said Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director. "So while we haven’t seen anything with READ ID yet, it is a possibility because of all the conversation and confusion,”
While Hernandez says her office has not seen any online REAL ID scams yet, Amie Mitchell, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma, told FOX23 News that her department has uncovered them.
"You've got to be careful with Real ID," Mitchell said. "The scams we've been seeing online are that you can get your Real ID completely online. If you are seeing that, that is false. You have to go to the local DMV to get it done and there are only certain DMV's in town that are actually doing this, I believe it's most of them, but make sure that they are actually doing the Real ID."
Other warning signs for the public include any website or service asking you for personal information such as Social Security Number, bank account or credit card info in exchange for a REAL ID.
If you're attempting to fly after today without a REAL ID, the TSA website details the other acceptable documents you can use, which include a United States or foreign-issued passport, Veteran Health Identification Card, Department of Defense ID, Border Crossing card and more.