TSB Bank has issued an urgent warning over a surge in driving lesson and test scams, with victims losing an average of £244. The bank recorded a 211% increase in total losses from such fraud between January and August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
One victim paid £500 upfront for 20 lessons, only for the provider to cease communication. Another responded to a Facebook post offering a fast-tracked test and attempted to pay £100, which TSB blocked as fraudulent. Fake DVSA websites have also been created, with several customers paying £350 for a test after being contacted on WhatsApp, only to be blocked once payment was made.
Nearly all scams originated on social media, with Facebook accounting for 56% of losses, followed by Instagram (9%), Snapchat (9%), TikTok (8%), and WhatsApp (8%). TSB's head of fraud analytics, Alex Robinson, said: 'Fraudsters have really upped their attempts to target learner drivers - with offers of driving lessons and fast-tracked tests that simply don't exist.'
A DVSA spokesperson commented: 'TSB's data shows that there is a serious and growing problem with this type of fraud. These accounts and sites are recognised scams that attempt to obtain payment or personal information and are not connected to DVSA.' They urged people to report suspicious social media accounts.
