Alabama driver's license renewal scam could cost you 100 bucks

PRATTVILLE – There’s an Alabama driver’s license renewal scam going around that could cost folks 100 bucks. And their license won’t be renewed either.

Autauga County Probate Judge Kim Kervin started noticing it about three weeks ago. People were coming into the office to see why the driver’s license that they renewed online hadn’t been delivered. Licenses can be renewed in person at probate offices in each of the state’s 67 counties. They can also be renewed online at the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s website.

About 15 Autauga County residents have fallen for the con, Kervin said. When people use a search engine to find out where to renew their license online, the search takes them to a third-party website, she said.

“The site says it will help people renew their license, but it’s not the ALEA site,” she said. “And they charge a fee for handling the ‘transaction.’ It’s a $96 charge, which is significantly higher that what ALEA charges for online renewal.”

Renewing a standard driver’s license is $36.25 and the renewal lasts for four years. There is a 4 percent charge if the renewal is handled online.

“People who are using the third-party sites don’t get their license renewed, so they are out the whole $96,” Kervin said. “And it takes four to six weeks to get the license renewed and mailed to the person. They come in at about six weeks, and by that time, the time limit most banks have to report a fraudulent charge has expired.”

There’s also a more sinister hook in the game.

“ALEA’s site asks you to put in your last four digits of your social security number,” she said. “Some of these third-party sites ask for your entire social security number. That means they have your legal name, address and complete social. So that leads to the strong possibility of identity theft.”

Third-party websites may look official, and they often partner with search engines to appear at the top of search results. Many third-party sites charge additional fees or “up-charges” to complete transactions, state officials say. These third-party application sites are independently administered and are not affiliated with ALEA in any way.

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“We were recently made aware of a website that charged a $50 administrative fee in addition to the agency’s $39 renewal fee. That is a significant up-charge from ALEA’s online transaction fee, which is only $2.75,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said. “As with any type of website service, we encourage Alabama citizens to use caution when utilizing third-party websites.”

 Here are a few tips to help customers ensure they are visiting ALEA’s official website:

• Rather than using a search engine to reach ALEA’s Driver License Division, enter the web address (www.alea.gov) directly into your browser’s address bar. Once you reach ALEA's official site, click “view all online services,” then click “renew your driver license online.”
• ALEA charges a $2.75 transaction fee for online renewals. If you are asked to pay more, you are not on the ALEA website.
• Look for the words, “The official site of those who protect and serve Alabama” and the official ALEA seal at the top of the page. These are included as additional security measures.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.