News story

Motorists warned about scam emails

DVLA warns the public of scam emails that include a virus.

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We’re aware that some members of the public have received emails claiming to be from DVLA confirming Direct Debit payment for a vehicle. The email has a Word document attachment that contains a virus.

We do not send Word documents when confirming Direct Debit payments and we strongly advise anyone who receives one of these or any similar email not to open the Word document and delete the email.

The government, led by Cabinet Office’s Government Digital Service (GDS), will continue to investigate reports of organisations which may be actively misleading users about their services or acting illegally, taking swift action when necessary. By using DVLA’s online driving licence service or taxing your vehicle online on GOV.UK you can be sure that you are dealing directly with DVLA.

You can find the online driving licence and vehicle tax services in the driving licence and vehicle tax sections of GOV.UK.

Find out how to report internet scams and phishing.

Published 7 November 2014
Last updated 26 June 2015 + show all updates
  1. News article updated to give information about the latest email scam to target DVLA customers.

  2. Update to news article because of new email scams.

  3. Link added to article to let motorists know how to report internet scams and phishing to Action Fraud.

  4. Updated to include information about vehicle tax scam emails

  5. First published.