Next time you check your mailbox, be on the lookout for a new type of scam targeting drivers.
If you receive a message from the DVLA in your Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook inbox, exercise caution. It appears that scammers are using the official vehicle licensing agency to scare unsuspecting drivers into revealing personal and sensitive details. Those duped could then be at increased risk of cyber-attacks or account hacking.
The new warning has been issued by the Action Fraud team, with security experts saying they have received more than a thousand reports of UK drivers being confronted with fake 'DVLA' representatives.
The letter claims that road users have not paid their vehicle tax and must take urgent action to avoid a hefty fine. It also included an example of a message asking users to confirm their payment methods.
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“We have received over 1,100 reports of FAKE emails purporting to be from #DVLA,” Action Fraud said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Emails claim your 'road tax has not been paid' in order to steal your information.”
Receiving a message from the DVLA is certainly alarming, but it is precisely this fear that cybercriminals are trying to create, as it increases the likelihood that email users will act without thinking through their actions.
If you receive a message claiming to be from the DVLA stating that you have not paid your car tax, be extremely wary.
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If you have any doubts, you can always contact the DVLA directly to check that everything is in order. There is also an online service that shows whether your car is taxable and whether it has passed its MOT.
Simply click here and enter your vehicle's registration number to find out its status.
Internet scammers are constantly looking for new ways to trick unsuspecting users, so be careful when checking your inbox and only download attachments or reply to messages if you are 100% sure they are legitimate.
Sourse: www.mirror.co.uk
