Have you had a suspicious email stating your car tax is overdue? Or a letter offering a refund, but something about it just seems a little bit off? You may be at risk of being scammed.
DVLA, the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency, is a nationally known government agency responsible for maintaining driver and vehicle records, issuing driving licences, collecting vehicle tax and more. Unfortunately, as this is such a well-known, trusted entity, scammers and criminals have taken advantage of this opportunity to attempt to exploit members of the public out of money.
This guide will cover how to tell DVLA fraud apart from authentic, genuine communications, how to report a DVLA scam, and what to do if you’ve been scammed, including seeking legal support.
What’s a DVLA Scam?
A DVLA scam refers to a type of scam where a fraudster intends to con you out of money while impersonating the government agency, Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency.
In fact, DVLA scams and DVLA fraud are not only extremely common, but they’re also on the rise, according to GOV.UK, with nearly 20,000 people reporting scams in 2024 alone.
Here are some examples of types of DVLA scams you may come across:
- Text messages: Either SMS or WhatsApp messages may be sent as part of a scam. They could suggest you need to click a link to pay your vehicle tax or receive a refund.
- Emails: Often imitating branding and communications, the scam email could state you’ve overpaid car tax or your vehicle is no longer taxed, and you need to take urgent action. Fake attachments may also be included, which, when clicked on, download malicious malware to your device.
- Calls: Impersonators might call pretending to be DVLA, asking for personal information to pay a fake parking fine, or offer to remove penalty points from your driving licence for a small fee.
- Letters: You may also receive fake post from ‘DVLA’, trying to convince you to call a fake number to pay a fine, receive a refund or verify your vehicle documents.
- Websites: Fake websites can be used to trick people into inputting their personal, sensitive information, and their data is harvested by scammers.
What Are The Laws on DVLA Scams in the UK?
DVLA scams are serious criminal offences in the UK and are covered by the Fraud Act 2006. These scams often involve fraudsters impersonating the DVLA, claiming issues such as unpaid vehicle tax, outstanding fines or problems with a driving licence.
Some DVLA scams may also fall into the Computer Misuse Act 1990, especially when criminals create fraudulent websites or emails designed to look like official DVLA communications to steal card information or identity data. If a scam involves accessing or misusing someone’s personal data, such as names, addresses, driving licence numbers or vehicle registration details, the Data Protection Act 2018 could also apply due to unlawful access.
The consequences for DVLA scammers can be severe. For the most serious offences under the Fraud Act 2006, this can include up to 10 years in prison, significant fines and the confiscation of assets. However, recovering lost money can be challenging, which is why many victims seek guidance from fraud recovery specialists, like CEL Solicitors, who guide you through the process and work to protect your rights.
Tips For Recognising DVLA Scams
So, what are the most important red flags to know about to protect yourself against DVLA scamming?
Common Signs of DVLA Scams
Scammers can be smart and might often accurately mimic official DVLA communications.
However, it’s important to watch out for mistakes, as these will be what distinguishes a scam from authenticity.
- Unexpected refunds: The DVLA issues vehicle tax refunds automatically rather than prompting you to click on links, so be wary of these types of communications.
- Your vehicle tax is up to date: Check your vehicle tax details through GOV.UK and, if your vehicle tax is up to date, any communications suggesting it isn’t are certainly scams.
- Language: Messages like “your licence will be suspended”, or urgent deadlines to pay vehicle tax fees are designed to make you panic and then hand over information quickly. You should also be on the lookout for poor grammar and spelling, especially if that’s combined with a tone you wouldn’t expect from DVLA, such as being too casual or aggressive.
- Generic greetings: If the communication starts with “Dear Customer”, rather than your name, this is suspicious and should be treated with caution.
- Mismatched branding: If you’ve received a suspicious email from ‘DVLA’, look out for logos, colours or layouts that don’t match official communications. Scammers may also use formatting that looks unprofessional or poorly designed.
- Suspicious sender address: One of the best ways to identify a DVLA scam email is to inspect the sender address. Even small changes, such as ‘[email protected]’, are a giveaway that it’s fraudulent.
- Websites: Scammers may also include links to fake websites that imitate DVLA, designed to steal your personal data. These may be included within emails or text messages, so be careful not to click on any suspicious links.
Reporting DVLA Scams
If you think you’ve been targeted by a DVLA scam, the most important thing you can do is report it.
That way, DVLA can be made aware of the scam and protect future customers and members of the public from being scammed in the same way. DVLA reporting guidelines state you should:
- Report phishing emails to the National Cyber Security Centre
- Report online scams to Report Fraud
- Report misleading adverts to search engines
If you’ve been scammed online, we’d also recommend that you:
- Run an anti-virus and anti-malware program on your computer or network
- Clear the cookies in your browser
- Reset the password on your email account
This will help keep your accounts and devices as safe as possible from further access by the scammer.
I’ve Fallen Victim To A DVLA Scam, What Do I Do?
Whether it was through a fake letter, phishing email, cold call or unlawful website, if you’ve been scammed, there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself and increase your chances of receiving compensation.
You are not alone, and you don’t have to work through this on your own either.
1. Document the scam
The first step is to document the scam thoroughly. Documentation could include taking photos of any fake letters, emails or text messages, phone numbers, screenshots, email addresses, links, details about unusual attachments and any other concerning or suspicious communications.
If you’ve revealed any personal information, such as bank details or financial information, be sure to note down what you’ve shared and when. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be for potential claims and investigations.
2. Secure your accounts
Next, it’s important that you thoroughly check and secure any accounts that might have been compromised in the scam. Look for any communications you don’t recognise and, if you have revealed sensitive banking information, contact your bank directly.
Your bank can help by raising a security concern on your account, keeping an eye out for suspicious activity, and issuing a new card with fresh details if needed.
3. Report the scam
Finally, you should report the scam. If you are looking to make a legal claim for financial loss due to a DVLA scam, you must report the scam beforehand to:
- The authorities: Report any phishing communications to [email protected], and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should also report the scam to Report Fraud, the UK’s national reporting service for fraud and cybercrime (formerly known as Action Fraud). You’ll then receive a police crime reference number, which can be used for recovery or legal claims.
- Your bank account: If you’ve revealed your banking information to a scammer, contact your bank immediately to help prevent the scammer from accessing your funds.
- Your email: If the scam arrived by email, be sure to report it and flag it as phishing to your email provider, such as Gmail or Outlook.
How To Make a DVLA Scam Claim
Once the DVLA scam has been properly documented and reported, and your accounts are secure, you can consider claiming the compensation you may be entitled to.
This type of claims process generally takes two main routes: civil claims and criminal investigations.
- Civil: If you’ve suffered financial loss as a result of a DVLA scam, you may be able to bring a civil claim against the scammer to recover your money, which, in successful cases, can result in compensation.
- Criminal: For more serious scams involving larger sums of money, the police or cybercrime authorities may pursue the scammers themselves. This won’t usually lead to direct compensation, but it can help prevent other victims from being targeted.
It’s crucial to note that scammers who impersonate a legitimate company, like DVLA, can often hide behind fake identities, use overseas networks and change contact details frequently, which often makes them very tricky to trace. Because of this, legal action can be challenging, so it’s important to manage the expectations of your claim from the outset.
Choose CEL Solicitors for DVLA Scam Claims
Here at CEL Solicitors, we understand how challenging falling for a DVLA scam can be, both emotionally and financially. That’s why we’re here to be the legal support you need by your side through every step of your claims journey.
Just tell CEL. Our expert team specialises in fraud and scam recovery, with a strong track record of recovering millions for clients.
We operate on a No Win, No Fee promise, meaning you won’t need to pay anything up front, giving you access to the expert legal help you deserve without financial worry.
Plus, our consultation is completely free. We listen, we care, we win, and we’ll review your situation carefully and provide clear advice on your next steps.
