I discovered the scam before they actually received any money from me but here is how they tried to work the scam:
1) I received my registration renewal letter for my vehicle in the mail from California DMV. I decided to pay my renewal on-line. The DMV notice indicated that to register my GMC Envoy is $150 plus I need to get a smog test.
2) I decided to Google the website because I had Google already on my computer screen in front of me.
3) The top Google listing was CA. DMV Registration... It looked very official but below the line in small blue print was www.Cartagz.com. I did not see the website in blue below the line at first. So, I clicked on the top line thinking I was going to the real California Government site DMV.
4) It took me to a site that looked like an official California DMV website.
5) It asked me for my name, vehicle type, and the last 5 digits of my VIN. I placed that information into the spaces provided.
6) They could not find my data. So, it asked me to put in the vehicle make and full VIN number. I did as they requested.
7) They found my registration information and posted it on the screen. They displayed my vehicle data and indicated that my registration total is $182. The break down was as follows:
DMV fees: $150.00
Cartagz Service Fee: $29.00
Convenience Fee: $3.75
Total Due: $182.75
I thought the DMV was charging for the convenience of paying on-line but as I studied the webpage, I realized it was not a real DMV website.
I decided to get out of the site and review the website alternates on Google again. I discovered that the REAL DMV Government website was the second one down on the list...
I went to the real DMV website and easily paid my registration renewal with a credit card for only $150. I still have to get a smog certification.
Cartagz is a scam website that preys on unsuspecting victims. Their website is very similar to the real California Government (DMV) website. They are obviously deceptive in their website illustration. There is no need to use another system that charges for the services that you get free from DMV. Why is DMV sharing my vehicle information with a scammer? The public should be notified of this scam and website.
I have printed documentation if you need it. I printed the computer screen on each step of the scam. I can fax or scan and e-mail you copies. My fax number is (Personal Information Removed)
Can KCRA TV report this to the public?
Alan Kilborn
(Personal Information Removed)
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