The DVLA has urged millions of UK drivers to stay vigilant after nearly 20,000 people reported suspicious emails, texts and calls to its contact centre last year. The agency issued new guidance on how to spot scams, warning that fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to trick victims.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the DVLA said: "Unsure if the message you've received from DVLA is genuine? Learn how to spot scams with our official guidance." The agency reminded motorists that the only official source of information is GOV.UK, and that using other websites could lead to overcharging or fraud.
Fraudsters often ask for personal or bank details, or claim that recipients are entitled to a vehicle tax refund. The DVLA stressed that it will never ask for bank account details or payment confirmation unless the customer has a live enquiry.
Drivers are also advised not to share images of their driving licence or V5C log book on social media, as these contain details that can be used for identity theft or vehicle cloning. Victims may then receive fines for parking, congestion or speeding that they did not incur.
