Learner drivers urged to beware of pretend lesson and take a look at affords – that is methods to spot them

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Your assist makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Learner drivers are being warned about pretend checks and driving lesson affords after an enormous rise was recorded in folks dropping cash to the scams.

TSB stated it recorded a 211 per enhance in whole losses to one of these fraud, following its evaluation circumstances associated to driving lesson and driving take a look at scams between January and August 2025, in contrast with the identical months in 2024.

The financial institution advised that driving take a look at backlogs might be serving to to gasoline scams as learners attempt to safe or fast-track a take a look at.

The typical loss for a scammed learner driver is £244, TSB stated.

One rip-off noticed somebody pay £500 for 20 classes up-front just for contact to dry up as soon as the cost was made.

One other buyer responded to a publish promising a fast-tracked driving take a look at and tried to pay £100, which TSB blocked and confirmed was fraudulent.

Pretend DVSA (Driver and Automobile Requirements Company) web sites have additionally been created, with a number of prospects paying for a take a look at, solely to be blocked as soon as the cost was made, the financial institution stated.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/13/15/4b4eb09c32fbe4bf1770ae6d9627dc0aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM2ODY5NzQw-2.59964348.jpg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/13/15/4b4eb09c32fbe4bf1770ae6d9627dc0aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM2ODY5NzQw-2.59964348.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/13/15/4b4eb09c32fbe4bf1770ae6d9627dc0aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM2ODY5NzQw-2.59964348.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="The DVSA said there is a serious and growing problem with this type of fraud" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE"/> The DVSA stated there's a severe and rising downside with one of these fraud (PA) Alex Robinson, head of fraud analytics, TSB, stated: “Fraudsters have actually upped their makes an attempt to focus on learner drivers – with affords of driving classes and fast-tracked checks that merely don’t exist.

“Nearly all of those scams begin from social media platforms – so we’d advise solely paying for a service when you can confirm it first, and follow official routes when reserving your examination. Don’t let a fraudster put the brakes on studying to drive.”

A DVSA spokesperson stated: “TSB’s knowledge reveals that there's a severe and rising downside with one of these fraud.

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“These accounts and websites are recognised scams that try to receive cost or private data and should not related to DVSA.

“We take all allegations about take a look at fraud extraordinarily severely and totally examine stories of any people who try to avoid the testing course of.

“We urge folks to report any suspicious social media accounts providing driving providers to the related social media community.”

Listed below are some ideas from TSB to keep away from scams:

Confirm the vendor and repair earlier than exchanging funds and don't let desperation to get your licence push you into unofficial routes.Well-liked messaging providers are getting used to focus on folks with scams. Be careful for messages claiming to be from official organisations, or providing “fast-tracked” checks.At all times verify a web site is the official web site as fraudsters could make very plausible variations. [ad_2] Source link