Warning of surge in TV Licensing email scam

FRAUD watchdogs are warning of a surge in scam TV Licensing refund messages sent to email addresses.

Action Fraud said it received 2,500 complaints about the phishing emails in September and October.

The fake emails are being sent by scammers in a bid to steal bank account and personal details.

The messages claim that TV Licensing has been trying to get hold of the victim over a refund for an overpayment – or that a refund is owed but because of invalid account details has not been paid.

The fraudsters include links to convincing-looking “cloned” TV Licensing websites designed to harvest bank and credit card details.

Other emails say the receiver’s billing information records are out of date and need to be updated.

These also include a prominent link to a near-identical fake of the real TV Licensing website. The receiver is asked for personal and financial information, including full name, date of birth, address, phone number and mother’s maiden name.

Once submitted, the information goes straight to the scammers.

TV Licensing says it will never ask for bank or personal information and any correspondence with the subject line “Action required” or “Security alert” is probably suspicious.

Action Fraud said between September 1 and 20 there were 799 reports of scam emails promising a TV licence refund – an average of 40 emails a day. This then increased to an average of 68 a day.

Which? has published the latest versions of scams on its website.

The consumer group said: “If you receive any suspicious emails or odd postal messaging going forward, ignore them – they could be from a scammer hoping you’ll fall for their next scam.”