Floridians Cautioned about Fake DHSMV E-mails

DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles), which issues titles to motor vehicles and licenses to car drivers, cautioned the people of Florida for being wary of one type of scam e-mail wherein the perpetrators, by misappropriating the Department's reputation, make the messages seem as sent from DHSMV, published examiner.com dated February 13, 2013.

Addressing recipients of the fraudulent electronic mail, the text tells that the e-mail being automated requires no reply, while thanks the reader since he paid $109.79 to DHSMV. The items for which payment has been made will reach the person in 7-10 days from the day of purchase, the e-mail continues. However, for any clarification about the payment, the user may get in touch with the Department by visiting http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/contact.html where he requires entering the detail, to Customer Care, specified as his Confirmation ID: 57084174, his DHSMV Tracking No: 18452071, his Item No. purchase price, and his Shopping Cart information, the e-mail concludes.

Often, in this bogus payment confirmation electronic mail there's alleged details regarding the recipient's Regular Registration Renewal and Drivers License Renewal.

Analysts examining the currently spreading malicious e-mail campaign remark that the e-mail while attempting at sounding real and legitimate thanks the reader because he used the Internet facility of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles of Florida.

But, a red signal indicating the fraudulent nature of the e-mail relates to 2 sender's ids; one, DoNotReply@flhsmv.gov and two, a personal electronic mail id looking address. While every e-mail id of the Department has its domain as @flhsmv.gov, the DHSMV as well doesn't use personal e-mail ids for dispatching transactional receipts.

Thus, the DHSMV suggests anyone getting the e-mail who hasn't conducted a transaction lately to instantly erase the message from his inbox, and incase he has clicked on the e-mail, to not follow any of its web-links. For, DHSMV hasn't sent the e-mail as also the web-links inside it really lead onto fake DHSMV sites possibly having malware.

Additionally, DHSMV urges end-users to make security software on their computers up-to-date, and affected users to reset all passwords particularly those related to financial institutions.

Related article: Florida’s ‘CyberCrime Awareness Week’ Promotes Activities for Cyber Safety

» SPAMfighter News - 2/19/2013