RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina's Attorney General has issued a warning about companies selling international drivers licenses.

Attorney General Roy Cooper said the companies are targeting North Carolina residents, particularly those in the Latino community, through ads in newspapers, magazines and on the Internet.

Despite claims that the international license is a valid alternative to a state-issued license or identification card, Cooper said that is not the case.

"They are worthless, but the companies that hawk them will try to rip you off for as much as $200," he said.

An N.C. drivers license, which can be issued only by the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, costs just $10.

According to the United States Department of State, legitimate international drivers permits are available in the U.S. only through the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance. Both organizations charge $10.

Some companies that claim to sell international drivers licenses also sell official-looking state identification cards. The Attorney General's Office said only state-issued cards can be used for identification purposes in place of a license.