The DVLA has issued a warning to all motorists, urging them to ‘stay safe online’ when using certain services. Here’s everything you need to know to protect yourself from potential scams
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a stern warning to all motorists, urging them to ‘stay safe online’. This follows nearly 20,000 drivers contacting the DVLA in 2024 to report fraudulent activity.
The government body’s guidance emphasises that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics to trick victims into surrendering their personal and private information. Such details can then be exploited by criminals for various nefarious purposes, including financial and identity theft.
Posting on X (formerly known as Twitter), the DVLA said: “Stay safe online – always use GOV.UK for DVLA services. Using other sites could cost you more – or worse, they could be scams.”
Read below for a comprehensive breakdown on how drivers can shield themselves from potential scams.
Ways you can protect yourself from fraudsters
Never share your financial or personal information
Refrain from sharing your personal or financial details with anyone. This includes not jotting down your banking details.
Furthermore, drivers should never reveal their driving licence details or their V5C logbook online, especially on social media, where it can be viewed by anyone. The DVLA emphasises that scammers can exploit these details to steal your identity and even clone your vehicle, where the details could then be used in criminal activity.
Be wary of suspicious emails or texts
If you receive a suspicious text message or email, it’s advisable not to respond. Never divulge personal details such as your banking information or passwords; no legitimate company will ever request these.
Emails or texts riddled with grammatical errors could be indicative of a phishing scam from a dubious source, so it’s prudent to avoid these. Some scammers may impersonate the DVLA and offer services for a fee, even though these services are usually free or less expensive on GOV.UK.
Avoid suspicious links
Refrain from clicking on any links if you’re uncertain about their legitimacy. Also, avoid downloading anything sent to you via email or text.
It’s recommended to have antivirus software installed as it can identify malware and safeguard against phishing attacks.
Reporting suspicious activity online
If you encounter any online activity that appears fraudulent, the DVLA recommends reporting it to the following: