Consumer scam alerts - Norfolk County Council   This website gives information on numerous scams that are currently circulating and on rogue traders.  

I am also attaching two press releases from Public Protection Partnership.

Please note that I am no longer using my email address ajmy5m7@inbox.com and now only using my Gmail which is ajmy5m7@gmail.com. 

News - Stop Loan Sharks  - Recent arrests and information on this website.

A resident has notified me of calls purporting to be from HMRC saying they had sent a letter which had been returned and to please press 1 to speak to a person. American sounding accent and one number used was 07476943640.

Another scam call purporting to be from ‘my bank security department’ requesting authorisation for a bank transfer and payment for an Amazon transaction. The number used was 077302298700.

Variations of fake Parking Charge Notice (PCN) and 'Parking Penalty' texts continue to circulate.  Messages contain threats that you'll face legal proceedings or failure to pay will affect your credit score. 

If you receive an unexpected text message, don't be tempted to click on any links or follow instructions to log into any accounts. Do not respond to these messages, you can report scam messages by forwarding them to 7726. 

Only official bodies (councils, police and private companies that are members of the BPA or IPC) can access DVLA data to contact you about a parking contravention. If you are worried that a fine could be genuine, then contact the authority where the contravention occurred.

Scam emails, texts and websites which include DVLA logos and branding in an attempt to appear legitimate. The aim of the messages is to encourage you to click on a link leading to a copycat DVLA website that asks for personal and financial information.

Vehicle Tax Status - Unpaid! Scam

One of the most common DVLA Scams is receiving a fake email that claims your car tax is overdue. Here's an example of what it might sound like...

"Your latest vehicle tax payment failed. It appears that some of your billing details have expired. If you don't pay your vehicle tax on time you can be fined up to £1,000 or your details passed to a debt collection agency. Click here to verify your billing details..."

Red Flags to Look Out For:

Check the Sender: What email address does the sender use? Any official correspondence from the DVLA will end in .gov.uk

Pressurising language: Does the email use phrases like: "Do not delay" or "Imminent Enforcement Action"?

Inactive links on website: Often, the surrounding links on a fake website don't lead anywhere.

Wrong web address - Check the web address at the top, and always use the GOV.UK's official website, found here., external

Request for financial details: Never enter financial details through following an email link. DVLA will never ask you for your bank account details or ask you to confirm payment details. They will only ask you to confirm your personal details by email or text if you have a live enquiry with them.

How To Deal With a DVLA Scam

If you do follow through with the scam and input your financial details, contact your bank immediately. They can help protect your account from further use and potentially recover lost funds.

If you come across any of these scams or any other suspicious activity, you can play your part in helping the DVLA to help combat fraud by:

- reporting phishing emails to the National Cyber Security Centre, external

- reporting online scams to Action Fraud, external

To legitimately check the tax status of your vehicle, click here.

Delivery scams are some of the most common and often most convincing scams, especially if you were expecting a parcel to arrive. 

The latest example that has been spotted begins with a WhatsApp message telling you that Evri has failed to deliver your parcel, with a link to reschedule your delivery that leads to a malicious website. Take a look at this example so you know what to do if you receive a similar scam message. 

Recently, on Google, there was a cloned website that looked like the genuine travel firm lastminute.com.   A resident was completely taken in and booked a trip to New York through the scam website, paying the deposit on their Mastercard. 

The scammers then called the resident posing as Mastercard and convinced them to grant them remote access to their phone. They deleted the firewall, scanned bank cards from their phone and spent thousands of pounds before the fraud department put a block on their cards.  They were refunded in full and the affected cards were cancelled and reissued. The person replaced their phone and changed the number and email address. 

Angela Money BEM

Area Representative for West Berkshire Neighbourhood Watch