The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is overhauling the look of the problematic temporary paper license tags issued by dealers to include enhanced security features aimed to reduce fraud.
The DMV said Thursday that dealers will begin issuing the redesigned temp tags on Dec. 9.
“This is the next step in ongoing efforts that have made a significant difference in curtailing and preventing the fraudulent production of, access to, and use of temporary tags,” the DMV said in a news release.
NBC 5 Investigates has been reporting on the proliferation of phony tags being used by criminals who gained access to the state’s system by registering as dealers and then selling the tags online.
The new tags, which the DMV said took several months to design, have a new look and embedded security features that will help police identify fake tags and increase the safety of traffic stops.
“With the support of our law enforcement partners, The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is setting a new standard for temporary tag security and design,” said TxDMV Executive Director Daniel Avitia.
PREVIOUS REPORTS
Nov. 15, 2022 – Police Searching for Paper Tagged ‘Ghost Car’ in Deadly Grand Prairie ChaseJune 1, 2022 – Police Make Bogus Tag Bust Tied to Social Media AdsMay 18, 2022 – TxDMV Names New Executive Director Amid Paper Tag CrisisMay 17, 2022 – Vehicle Used in Dallas Salon Shooting Had Paper TagMay 12, 2022 – Ads for Fake Tags Persist, Despite Facebook, TxDMV EffortsMay 4, 2022 – Texas’ Paper Tag Problem Compounded by Small Dealers Misusing ThemMay 3, 2022 – Dallas Police Shut Down Accused Fake Paper Tag DealerApril 26, 2022 – Texas House Set to Hold Paper Tag HearingsApril 14, 2022 – Texas DMV Cracks Down on Dealers Selling Temporary Paper TagsApril 13, 2022 – TxDMV Closes Inspection Loophole That Put Unsafe Cars on RoadsApril 12, 2022 – Dallas Police Go Undercover to Fight Illegal Paper TagsApril 7, 2022 – Police Warn of Fake Paper Tags Used to Cheat Car BuyersApril 5, 2022 – Texas Senate Will Investigate Illegal Paper Tag Crimes, SmugglingMarch 9, 2022 – Texas Paper Tag Crime Danger Extends NationwideMarch 5, 2022 – Texas House Will Hold Hearings on Paper Tag MessFeb. 28, 2022 – License to Smuggle: Drug Cartels and Human Smugglers Use Paper Texas Tags to EvadeFeb. 15, 2022 – Fort Worth Police Announce Special Operation Targeting Paper TagsFeb. 14, 2022 — Crash Victim’s Parents Want More Cops to Police Paper Tag FraudFeb. 13, 2022 – More Funding Need to Fight Criminals Using Bogus Paper Tags: PoliceFeb. 10, 2022 – Police Report Drop in Fraudulent Tags But Warn Crooks Are AdaptingFeb. 9, 2022 – Texas DMV Shuts Down Six More Dealers Suspected of Selling Paper License TagsFeb. 7, 2022 – TxDMV Director Resigns Amidst Paper Tag MessJan. 27, 2022 – TxDMV Takes Emergency Action to Keep Crooks From Selling Paper TagsJan. 21, 2022 – Dallas Police Operation Targets Fraudulent Paper TagsJan. 17, 2022 – Recording Shows Police Warned TxDMV of Paper Tag Security Flaw Years AgoDec. 16, 2021 – DMV Committee Recommends Fingerprinting Some Dealers to Slow Paper Tag FraudDec. 14, 2021 – Texas House Transportation Chair Vows to Stop Paper Tag FraudDec. 6, 2021 – Texas DMV Boss Deflects Blame for Paper Tag DebacleNov. 23, 2021 – Illegal Paper Tags Costing Texas Taxpayers and Toll Roads MillionsNov. 10, 2021 – Suspected Paper Tag Peddler Shut Down Tuesday, Reopens Wednesday: InvestigatorsNov. 8, 2021 – How Texas Paper Tags Became a $200M Criminal Enterprise: NBC 5 Investigates
Sign up for our Breaking Newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox.
