Government Impersonation6 min read11 July 2026
DVLA and Council Tax Scam Texts: How to Spot Government Impersonation
Learn how to verify a message that claims to be from the DVLA, a council tax department, TV Licensing, or another government body.
Government impersonation scams — where fraudsters pose as the DVLA, HMRC, council tax departments, TV Licensing, or other official bodies — are among the most convincing types of fraud. Official-looking messages create fear of legal consequences that can override people's normal scepticism.
DVLA Scam Texts
DVLA scam texts typically claim that your vehicle tax is about to expire, that you are owed a refund, or that there is a problem with your driving licence. They include a link to a fake DVLA website that harvests your payment details or personal information.
Do not use a link in an unexpected DVLA message to make a payment or enter personal information. Check vehicle-tax information by navigating independently to the relevant GOV.UK service rather than using the message's link.
Council Tax Scam Texts
These messages may claim you are owed a council tax rebate, that a direct debit has failed, or that you face legal action for non-payment. Do not use an unsolicited payment link; find your council's contact details independently and ask it to confirm whether there is an issue.
TV Licensing Scams
TV Licensing scam emails and texts claim your licence has expired, that a payment has failed, or that you are being investigated for not having a licence. They create urgency and direct you to a fake payment page. Check your TV Licensing status directly at tvlicensing.co.uk.
How to Identify Government Impersonation Scams
| Real Government Contact | Scam |
|---|---|
| Uses .gov.uk domain | Uses lookalike domain (dvla-gov.uk, council-tax-refund.co.uk) |
| Sends important notices by post | Demands immediate action by text or email |
| Never asks for card details by text | Requests payment via link |
| Provides reference numbers you can verify | Generic or no reference number |
What to Do
Do not click any links. Go independently to the relevant GOV.UK or council website to check your status. Forward suspicious texts to 7726. If you have lost money or shared details, contact your bank and report the incident through Report Fraud.
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