Car tax scam

Beware the cruel, heartless, vehicle tax fraudsters that are trying to steal your money – via scam messages.

How the email tax scams work

The modus operandi of these callous crooks is to contact you by e-mail or text. Such messages:

• Claims to be from the DVLA
• Refers to your penalty, reward or failed payment
• Demands a response
• Instructs you to follow a link to a website
• Asks for personal information and/or payment data

E-mail scam 1

Here is an example of a spam email sent to one of our employees’s so you can recognise the pattern, stay safe, and deny criminals the opportunity to take your money. Consider, for example, the following e-mail that is titled ‘Your latest vehicle tax payment failed – Customer Number 3016561949’. The scam message itself 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’.

The e-mail then instructs you to follow a link to a page that harvests your personal information. It further claims there are consequences if you do not comply. It says: ‘Please note: If you don’t pay your vehicle tax on time you can be fined up to £1,000’. It then threatens to pass your details to a debt collection agency.

Email scam 2

There’scs another scam e-mail titled ‘You are not up-to-date with your vehicle tax (Item Ref. No – D-652946224986353610612281)’. The e-mail states: ‘Our records show that you are not up-to-date with your vehicle tax. This is a reminder (V11) and a last chance warning letter from us.’ It then claims you must tax your car, motorcycle or other vehicle now to avoid ‘unpleasant consequences’.

Text message scam

Criminals are also targeting the unwary via text messages. Rather, however, than threaten sanctions one such scam offers a reward. It says: ‘You are eligible to receive tax refund. Please confirm refund via’ The message then reveals a link to the crook’s website that asks for your personal details so a ‘so-called refund’ can be processed.

How to avoid scam messages

Remember, the DVLA will never send an e-mail requesting personal information. It also never sends texts that relate to vehicle tax refunds. Do not enter any of your personal details and delete such messages immediately.