The Driver and Vehicle Records Fraud Investigation Unit performs investigative work relating to vehicle title and registration fraud, driver’s license fraud, and odometer fraud. Motor Vehicle Fraud Investigators are certified Nebraska Law Enforcement Officers commissioned as Deputy State Sheriffs.

 

Identity Theft

Identity theft crimes are on the rise, causing nationwide concern. In Nebraska, the Nebraska DMV is taking an aggressive stand on identity theft relating to your driver’s license, identification and motor vehicle title(s). When someone uses your identity to obtain a Nebraska driver’s license, ID or vehicle title, the Nebraska DMV may be able to help you.

How does identity theft occur?

Identity thieves steal or obtain Social Security cards and numbers, birth certificates, immigration documents or personal information that is unique to you. The identity thief can use this information to:

• Obtain a driver’s license or ID card;
• Open a bank account or obtain credit in your name;
• Purchase an automobile or real estate;
• Drain personal financial accounts;
• Create erroneous driving and criminal record entries;
• Secure fraudulent government benefits; and/or
• Obtain employment.

As a result, your driving privileges can be suspended and your credit rating destroyed. In addition, you may have trouble obtaining government benefits, and you may be held liable in civil suits or criminal cases for motor vehicle incidents. You may also be accused of not reporting wages, which can result in a substantial tax liability. All of these problems will require countless hours of telephone and written communications to resolve the problem.

Identity Theft - Victim Assistance

Identity Theft is a crime and it involves acquiring key pieces of identifying information – such as name, address, date of birth, social security number and mother’s maiden name – in order to impersonate someone.

The DMV will assist the victims of impersonation when an impostor has used the victim’s name during an arrest and the victim’s driving record has been suspended or revoked. Since the Nebraska DMV cannot solely change a driving record to clear the victim’s status, we will provide the necessary documentation to the criminal justice agency that originally provided the conviction(s) to assist in the process of an amended abstract for the victim’s record.

If a victim reports suspected fraudulent activity involving their issued driver’s license, permit, ID card, or vehicle registration and title documents, the victim shall receive an  Identity Theft Complaint packet requesting the completion of required forms. The investigative process will not begin, nor will a case number be assigned, until the Identity Theft Complaint packet has been fully completed and returned to the DMV.

If you would like to report suspected fraudulent activity or feel that you are a victim of driver’s license, vehicle title/registration or odometer fraud you may contact:

Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
Driver & Vehicle Records Division
Fraud Investigation Unit
301 Centennial Mall South
P.O. Box 94789
Lincoln, NE 68509-4789
Phone: 402-471-0060
Fax: 402-471-3190
Email

How to protect yourself from becoming a victim

• Carry only those items needed in your purse or wallet. Avoid carrying your Social Security Card, your birth certificate, blank checks, numerous credit cards or a motor vehicle title.
• Check your driving and credit record on an annual basis.
• Shred all bills and records you no longer need that contain personal identifying information.
• Check your Social Security records for unexplained earnings.
• Immediately report lost or stolen documents, such as driver’s license, ID card or vehicle titles, to law enforcement officials.
• Place “fraud alerts” on your credit file to warn creditors not to open a new account until they contact you.

 

Additional Government Agencies to Contact About Identity Theft

Investigations