DVLA Vehicle Tax Refund Scam Texts and Emails: What to Do

Short answer: DVLA says it never sends texts about vehicle tax refunds and never asks for bank details by email. A message saying you overpaid car tax, your tax payment failed, or your licence details need updating through a link is a scam. Forward scam texts to 7726 and do not click.

Common fake DVLA messages

• "You have overpaid your vehicle tax. Claim your refund here."
• "Your last vehicle tax payment failed. Update your payment details or your vehicle will be untaxed."
• "Your driving licence information is incomplete."

The link leads to a copy of GOV.UK that collects card and bank details.

What to do

• Texts: forward to 7726, free on UK networks.
• Emails: report to the National Cyber Security Centre (report@phishing.gov.uk).
• Lost money: call your bank and report to Action Fraud.

How to check your vehicle tax

Type GOV.UK into your browser yourself and use the official "check if a vehicle is taxed" service. The only place for official DVLA information and services is GOV.UK. Refunds for vehicle tax are handled automatically when you sell, scrap or declare a vehicle off the road, not through a text link.

Related: HMRC tax refund text scam, unpaid toll texts, parcel delivery texts.