DVLA warns drivers of failed car tax payment scam that could give crooks access to your bank details
Criminals are sending emails and texts encouraging you to update your details in an attempt to access your bank account
THE DVLA has issued a warning to British motorists over fake messages claiming their car tax payment has failed.
Sent via text message and email, the scam tells drivers their billing details are incorrect.
Threatening a £1,000 fine for unpaid vehicle tax, the message encourages drivers to update their billing details via a phishing website link - giving criminals direct access to your bank details.
The scam message reads: “Your latest vehicle tax payment failed. It appears that some of the billing details associated with you might have expired or were otherwise changed.
“Our system will automatically retry the billing process once your billing details have been updated.
“It can take up to five working days for the records to update.
"Please note: If you don’t pay your vehicle tax on time you can be fined up to £1,000, or your details passed to a debt collection agency.”
The Gov agency sent out a tweet on Tuesday warning drivers to ignore text messages about their car tax.
DVLA said it would never ask motorists to confirm billing details in that manner.
It stated: “DVLA does not send text messages telling you that your vehicle tax payment has failed. If you receive a message like this, it’s a #scam.”
Another tweet was sent out on Tuesday warning of similar fake messages.
DVLA said the "only place to find government information and services is ".
Criminals have pretended to be the DVLA in the past with a number of phishing emails and text messages.
In February last year, a number of drivers reported receiving a dodgy "final request" text message from a number claiming to be the DVLA.
How to avoid online scams
EVERY day, almost £1million is lost to scammers. Here is the DVLA's advice on how to avoid getting caught in DVLA scams:
- If you get an email or text message purporting to be from the DVLA that asks for personal information, don't open any links and delete the email or text immediately.
- Beware of misleading third party websites passing themselves off as the DVLA - only use GOV.UK so you can be sure you're dealing directly with the DVLA.
- Never share images on social media that contain personal information, such as your driving license and vehicle documents.
- If you still come across any online scams, report it to .
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It asked motorists to head to a fake DVLA website and enter their details.
Another scam tried to prey on drivers by offering them a refund on their vehicle tax.
The DVLA previously warned drivers to "just delete it" if they get one of the dodgy messages.