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With the deadline to obtain a REAL ID fast approaching on Wednesday, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Oklahoma is alerting residents to be wary of scams. Starting on this date, a REAL ID will be necessary for domestic flights and entering federal facilities. However, the BBB warns that scammers are exploiting the rush to meet the deadline by falsely claiming that REAL IDs can be obtained online.
According to KFOR, these scams often involve phone calls, text messages, or emails that appear to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles, urging recipients to secure their REAL ID online. Casey Farmer, vice president of marketing for BBB Serving Central Oklahoma, cautions that legitimate government agencies will not request personal information through these methods.
Amie Mitchell, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma, emphasized that REAL IDs can only be obtained in person at a local DMV or license office. Scammers are taking advantage of the urgency surrounding the deadline, but Mitchell reassures that a valid U.S. passport can also be used for travel and federal facility entry.
While the BBB has not received specific reports of REAL ID scams, similar scams have occurred with passports. The BBB advises consumers to be cautious and report any suspicious activity. For more information on obtaining a REAL ID, residents are encouraged to visit their state's Department of Revenue website.