Drivers have been urged not to fall for a clever scam that sees them targeted by email or text in a bid to snatch their bank details.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) warned that fake messages purporting to be from the agency have recently been doing the rounds, which inform motorists that they must pay their vehicle tax immediately due to a “recalculation” or declined payment. The texts and emails encourage recipients to follow a link and enter their bank details to pay their tax - but clicking on the link can lead to scammers stealing personal information, BirminghamLive reports .
The DVLA warned on Twitter: “Scammers pretend to be DVLA giving false information through texts and emails ‘phishing’ for your information. Don’t fall for it.”
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The agency also issued a reminder to someone who had got in touch asking if a scam email was legitimate. “We’ll never ask you to provide personal details via link, but would direct you to Gov.uk,” they tweeted.
Such warnings are all too common, with almost three quarters of North East families saying they have been targeted by scammers . From emails claiming to be from energy regulator Ofgem to fake DWP texts, there are several sophisticated scams to watch out for.
One scam email told its recipient that their vehicle was no longer taxed, in a message clearly designed to cause alarm and prompt a response - although it contained several spelling and grammatical errors. Instructing the driver to fill in their bank details, it signed off with the warning: “Acknowledge that it’s illegal to drive your vehicle until you’ve taxed it.”
The DVLA advises drivers not to respond to any texts or emails they receive claiming to be from the agency, and to use the Gov.uk website services to get in touch with the DVLA or if they need assistance with their vehicle or driving licence.
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