Millions of drivers issued warning over worrying 'DVLA' car tax email

An urgent warning has been issued to millions of drivers over a worrying DVLA email falsely claiming their vehicle tax payment has failed. Drivers have been warned to watch out for a worrying email claiming to be from the DVLA.

Action Fraud says it has received more than 1,000 reports about fake emails claiming to be from the DVLA. Phil Morgan, Head of Fraud Policy Investigation at DVLA, has previously warned: "We never ask for bank or credit card details by text message or email, so if you receive something like this, it’s a scam."

Sarah Lyons, Deputy Director for Economy and Society for the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC ) - part of GCHQ - says: "It’s important to stay vigilant to suspicious messages as we know that criminals often imitate legitimate organisations like the DVLA to make their scam seem more convincing.

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"Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if you’ve received an untrustworthy email or text message, but our latest guidance gives advice on how to spot the signs of a scam." The DVLA added: "Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 - it’s free. This will report the message to your mobile phone provider.

"Report scam or misleading adverts to the Advertising Standards Authority. You can report adverts found online, including in search engines, websites or on social media. You can also: report scam or misleading adverts to Google if you found them in Google search results or report to Bing if you found them in Bing search results.

"Contact Action Fraud if you think you’ve lost money or been hacked because of an online scam or fraud and you’re in England or Wales. You can report online - either sign up for an account or continue as a ‘guest’ or call 0300 123 2040.

"Some websites, emails or phone numbers look like they’re part of an official government service when they’re not, or claim to help more than they actually do. Some make you pay for things that would be free or cheaper if you used the official government service.