Warning. Gov.UK site? SCAM?

news.wrexham.gov.uk/got-an-email-from-the-dvla-its-a-scam/ 2024 The Gov.uk DVLA site seems prone to these scams.... It's been going on since 2020 at least but there is little in the way of warning either from the government or via the media.

Never go for he first few sites you see on google, they have paid to go at the top of the page because they are making money out of people for a service they can get without extra fees on the official site.

I did a similar thing with land registry and paid much more than I would have done with the official site.

This is a long standing fraud with all government departments that you can send money to.

I thought here was a change in the online rules sometime ago to make this difficult. It is a concwern that it is still happening.

Thanks for your replies, now I don't feel quite so bad, but it's not good for your blood pressure!

Similar happened to a friend renewing his driving license.

I was fell foul to this on what I thought was a Gov site for renewing passports online! I was charged the amount for a new passport and a whopping £40 admin fee! I was livid at my own stupidity

Auntieflo

Yesterday I tried to renew our Vehicle Road Tax, on line. I thought I was on the Gov.UK site. The payment process appeared to have changed and was taking ages to process. Although there was nowhere to tick 12 / 6 months payment.

As I was unsure whether the amount had been taken I tried to check whether the Road Tax dates had been updated.
I then discovered that £0.50p had been taken from the bank, for Vehicle Information!
This morning a further £7.95 has been taken. Evidently I have signed up for a subscription! No I did not! (Knowingly)
But if I did not cancel within 24 hours, a MONTHLY subscription will be taken. I don't remember seeing all this on the site.
It took ages to discover what this was all about, but there is a site where we read that people have had very similar experiences.
I did find a phone number :- 0333 334 0917. Vehicle Information U.K.
Also found where I could 'chat' with a representative. I have been promised a refund, of the cash taken without giving consent. We shall see.
If I was being re-directed from a Gov.UK site, there should be Red Flags all over it to make people aware that the site will charge you for information you do not necessarily want.
Oh I am so cross, but wondered whether anyone else has been HAD, and wanted to put out a warning.

I have just paid my tax, no other amount, other that £20 was taken from my bank- doesn’t sound like you was on the correct site. Can you check with your bank? Good luck with that BTW

Thanks for the warning Auntieflo.