The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has warned that a scam email enclosing a fixed penalty notice "receipt" for non-existent offences is making the rounds in the UK
However, according to the Agency, it: "never sends fixed penalty notices to customers by email".
The Agency's advice should you receive this message is NOT to:
- click on any links in it,
- reply to the email or contact the senders in any way,
- open any attachments that arrive with the email.
Furthermore, if you have clicked a link within the fraudulent email, the DVSA says: "Do not supply any information on the website that may open".
The DVSA chose not to specify the type of information the fraudulent website requests; but there are trends. Typically your full name, postal address, date of birth, vehicle registration number, and credit/debit card number have value to criminals as it might allow them to commit a wide range of identity theft offences.
Reporting scam emails
The DVSA recommends reporting such scams, or any other fraudulent emails, to Action Fraud. The Centre says: "Your report will help to build an intelligence picture which can be used by police and other anti-fraud organisations to combat fraudsters".
Action Fraud has two specific areas of interest:
Malware: Unwanted software which has adversely affected your computer, phone or computer device. It may have been downloaded when you were visiting a website or via an email link.
Phishing: Email/call/message which has been received claiming to be an official body and asking for personal details, has promised rewards, prizes or shares of fortunes for small fees.
Source: Motoring.co.uk
