State officials offered free replacement license plates in 2007 to nearly 10,000 people whose plates bore the letter combination "WTF," which is common text messaging shorthand for a phrase that includes a four-letter profanity beginning with the letter "F," The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer reported Tuesday.

However, the DMV discovered this week that a plate bearing the letters appears on its Web site as an example of a personalized plate.

"I can't believe it," DMV Commissioner Bill Gore said. "Obviously, I didn't know it was there."

Officials said Monday the image should be replaced on the Web site within the next day.