The Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued an urgent warning to UK drivers regarding car tax scams.
The UK Government agency took to Twitter to inform motorists that scammers have been issuing fake texts and emails claiming to be from them.
As reported by the Daily Express, these correspondences are dangerous and could lead to drivers having their money stolen by criminals.
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Among the scams that have been circulating are ones that claims the recipient is due a refund, and one telling them that they must pay tax immediately.
When the receiver follows the link included in the text or email, they are directed to a website where they are told to input their bank details.
Once these details are given, criminals are able to steal money from the user's bank account.
The websites often look genuine and so it can be very difficult to discern whether it is fake or not.
Almost 50 million UK drivers have their records held by the DVLA, making it a valuable group for scammers to target en masse.
The agency previously issued a warning regarding a scam in which victims are ordered to pay their road tax, with a fake message claiming "your vehicle is no longer taxed".
The link included with the message directed drivers to pass over personal information such as their bank details.
The DVLA said: “Watch out for ‘phishing’ text or email messages, like these.
“DVLA will never ask you to reply, give personal or bank details or ask you to log into an account.”
Drivers should also avoid downloading any attachments sent on scam emails or clicking on links.
GOV.UK states: “Some websites, emails or phone numbers look like they’re part of an official government service when they’re not, or claim to help more than they actually do.
“Some make you pay for things that would be free or cheaper if you use the official government service.
“Search on GOV.UK to find official government services and phone numbers, for example, if you want to apply to the DVLA for a driving licence.”
