DVLA has released pictures of some of the cons being used by
scammers to trick motorists into handing over their money.
It comes as new figures show a 20% increase in scams reported to
DVLA, with 1,538 reports made to agency in the last three months
of 2019.
The reports of suspected web, email, text or social media scams
were up from 1,275 in the same period in 2018. DVLA has released
the images of recent scams reported to help motorists be aware of
what to look out for and issue a clear warning that if something
offered online or by text message appears too good to be true,
then it almost certainly is.
Scammers are targeting unsuspecting customers with links to
services that don’t exist and messages of tax refunds, all of
which are fake.
The reports also show that driver and vehicle documents are for
sale on the internet. DVLA is advising anyone with concerns about
any calls, texts, emails or suspicious activity online, to always
report these to the police via Action Fraud immediately.
DVLA chief information security officer David Pope said:
We’ve released examples of real life scams to help motorists
understand when a scam is at work. These websites and messages
are designed to trick people into believing they can access
services that simply don’t exist such as removing penalty
points from driving licences.
All our tax refunds are generated automatically after a
motorist has told us they have sold, scrapped or transferred
their vehicle to someone else so we don’t ask for anyone to get
in touch with us to claim their refund.
We want to protect the public and if something seems too good
to be true, then it almost certainly is. The only trusted
source of DVLA information is GOV.UK
It is also important to remember never to share images on
social media that contain personal information, such as your
driving licence and vehicle documents.
A spokesperson for Action Fraud said:
This can be a stressful time of year, sorting out finances for
the year ahead. Fraudsters are aware of this and are using
different ways to trick people.
Taking a couple of minutes to familiarise yourself with a few
simple online safety tips can be significant in protecting
yourself from becoming a victim of online fraud.
You should always be cautious when sharing personal information
online and avoid being scammed by only using GOV.UK for
government services online, such as the DVLA.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please report
it to us.
Notes to editors
-
Fraud or cyber crime can be reported to Action Fraud by
calling 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm), or
by using their online
reporting tool, which is available 24/7.
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Last year the DVLA published its tips for motorists to
stay safe online.
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The Annual Fraud Indicator
2017 estimated the cost of fraud to the UK was
£190bn a year.
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In the last quarter of 2019 there were 1,538 complaints to
DVLA regarding suspected web, email, text or social media
scams. That represented a 20% increase on 1,275 in the same
period in 2018.
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Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud
and cyber crime where you should report fraud if you have
been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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Safer Internet Day
2020 was celebrated globally on Tuesday 11 February.
It aims to inspire a national conversation about using
technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and
creatively. This year’s theme is ‘Together for a better
internet’.
