The Driver and Automobile Licensing Company (DVLA) has issued recent steerage
DVLA explains methods to replace your driving licence
Britain’s motorists are being urged to remain on excessive alert after hundreds of drivers contacted the DVLA final 12 months with worrying new reviews. The Driver and Automobile Licensing Company (DVLA) has issued recent steerage amid issues over a key subject.
The recommendation comes after figures confirmed almost 20,000 prospects known as its contact centre to flag suspicious emails, texts and different exercise. In a brand new social media alert, the company warned: “Uncertain if the message you’ve acquired from DVLA is real? Discover ways to spot scams with our official steerage.”
It comes amid rising concern that fraudsters are utilizing more and more refined strategies to trick drivers into handing over private and monetary particulars. The DVLA careworn that the one place to entry official data and companies is GOV.UK.
The Driver and Automobile Licensing Company (DVLA) has issued recent steerage (Picture: Getty) Motoring information and recommendation plus chosen presents and competitions Subscribe Invalid e-mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may increasingly embrace adverts from us and third events primarily based on our understanding. You possibly can unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
It warned that utilizing different web sites may imply motorists are charged extra for companies which can be both cheaper – or utterly free – on GOV.UK. In some instances, websites could also be fraudulent.
Drivers are suggested to look straight on GOV.UK when making use of for or updating a driving licence, taxing a automobile or making Clear Air Zone (CAZ) funds. It added folks mustn’t share licence or log e book particulars.
The company additionally cautioned motorists towards posting pictures of their driving licence or V5C log e book on social media. Whereas receiving a brand new licence is a milestone, each paperwork comprise key figuring out particulars that criminals can exploit to steal identities and even clone autos. Victims can then discover themselves receiving parking, congestion cost or dashing fines for offences they didn’t commit.
Emails and texts asking for financial institution particulars
Fraudsters continuously ship emails or textual content messages asking recipients to substantiate private data corresponding to financial institution or cost particulars. Some declare the motorist is due a automobile tax refund.
The DVLA made clear it can by no means ask for checking account particulars or request affirmation of cost data by e-mail or textual content. It should solely ask prospects to substantiate private particulars electronically if there’s a reside enquiry in progress.
Automobile tax refunds are issued routinely and are by no means despatched by way of an e-mail containing a hyperlink. Anybody receiving a suspicious message is instructed to not click on on hyperlinks, however as an alternative report it to the Nationwide Cyber Safety Centre after which delete it.
Be careful for impersonation web sites
One other rising tactic includes web sites designed to appear to be official DVLA pages. These websites could cost further charges for companies out there free or at decrease price on GOV.UK, together with licence purposes, automobile tax transactions and CAZ funds.
Motorists are urged to double-check net addresses and guarantee they’re utilizing GOV.UK earlier than coming into any private particulars.
How you can report suspicious exercise
The DVLA says drivers may also help fight fraud by:
- Reporting phishing emails to the Nationwide Cyber Safety Centre right here.
- Reporting on-line fraud to Report Fraud right here.
- Reporting deceptive adverts to search engines like google and yahoo right here.
Most DVLA companies can be found on-line by GOV.UK, and motorists can join official e-mail alerts for the most recent updates.
Leave a Reply