Consumer champion Martin Lewis has issued an urgent alert to 120,000 UK drivers about a sophisticated DVLA tax refund scam circulating via text messages. The MoneySavingExpert founder warns that fraudsters are impersonating the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to steal personal and financial details.
How the Scam Works
The fraudulent messages claim recipients are owed a vehicle tax refund, typically between £24.50 to £89.50, and include an official-looking link to a fake DVLA website. Victims who click through are prompted to enter sensitive information including:
- Bank account details
- Credit card information
- Personal identification data
Red Flags to Watch For
Martin Lewis' team at MoneySavingExpert highlights these warning signs:
- Unexpected messages about tax refunds
- Links to non-government websites (genuine DVLA emails end with @dvla.gov.uk)
- Requests for payment details to process refunds
- Poor spelling or grammar in official communications
What to Do If Targeted
Never click links in suspicious messages. Instead:
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (the SMS scam reporting service)
- Report phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
- Check your vehicle tax status directly via the official GOV.UK website
The DVLA confirms they never send notifications about tax refunds via text or email. Genuine refunds are only processed automatically when drivers declare their vehicle as off the road (SORN) with remaining tax.
