PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation was forced to launch an aggressive plan to address the activity of identity thieves who used ServiceArizona.com to complete fraudulent transactions involving duplicate driver licenses.
The plan includes services for victims and for anyone who believes their information may have been compromised.
Officials discovered that identity thieves were exploiting a service that allowed duplicate driver licenses to be ordered online and then mailed to an address different than a driver’s address on file. According to the Department of Transportation (ADOT), the option was removed to prevent any further criminal activity.
Arizonans will now be required to provide their full driver license number for all transactions effectively immediately.
For customers who do not have their license number, they will be required to visit an MVD office or complete an enhanced security verification process with the MVD call center.
ADOT created the Online Fraud Task Force in response to the thefts.
ADOT is asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of identity theft or fraudulent activity associated with the ServiceArizona site to immediately report suspected identity theft to local police or by making a report to the ADOT fraud hotline at 602.277.5684 or fraud@azdot.gov(link sends e-mail) and inform ADOT of any filed police reports.
ADOT will also offer and issue new driver license numbers to all potential and actual victims of fraud committed through ServiceArizona.com. These individuals may also seek assistance by taking one or more of the following actions:
Place a free credit report fraud alert. A “fraud alert” warns credit reporting agencies that there may be fraud involved in new requests for credit. Only one of the three main credit reporting agencies must be contacted to institute an alert.
Place a credit report security freeze. Under Arizona law, a “security freeze” prevents credit reporting agencies from releasing credit information without the consumer’s express permission. To place a security freeze, write to each of the three main credit reporting agencies by certified mail. Arizona law allows a charge of up to $5 for each request. w site later this year, which will include additional layers of verification to prevent fraud.”