As the strategy and technical ability of scams evolve, so must we. Whilst scammers still try their luck with generic emails asking you to send them money, some are more sophisticated. One to be vigilant about is a TV licensing scam. These can look official, and often offer a refund or tell you to update your payment details before taking you to a site where they will steal this information. Here are some things to do the next time you receive a message purporting to be from the TV Licensing.
STOP and think
Are you expecting any communication about your TV licence? If not, proceed with caution. Scammers will often attempt to trick you into giving away your personal or bank details. Always be wary of letters, emails, texts or phone calls that promise you money or a refund. If you haven’t requested a refund, it is likely a scam. Don’t click on any links or call any number contained within that communication.
CHECK the details
Take a close look at the details. Has the sender spelled your name correctly? Are there any grammatical errors? For example, is licence spelled license with an ‘s’? Have they included the correct licence number? You can check this on the TV Licensing website.
ASK for help
If you are ever unsure about a communication you have received, it is always best to ask someone. This could be a trusted friend or family member. You could even ask one of us at the Citizens Advice. If you are online, you can Google ‘TV Licensing’ to find contact details, or go to the TV Licensing website and sign in at www.tvl.co.uk/yourlicence to check if anything is wrong. Make sure you don’t click on any link within your email or text, as this could lead you to a fake website that will steal your data.
Alternatively, you can call TV Licensing on 0300 303 9695 to speak with someone directly who can help.
If in doubt, hang about
If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of an email, text or letter, then just pause. Sometimes things can just feel ‘a little off’. It may be they have started with ‘Dear Customer’ instead of your name. Perhaps the email is all in text rather than with images. Or perhaps the text message has a strange looking URL. Whatever gives you cause for concern, it’s a good idea to hang back and ask for guidance.
Do you think you have received a TV licensing scam email, or from anyone else? Then speak to us at the East Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice for help. You can also take a look at our previous blog about scams too.
