BBC TV Licence warning as scam email making the rounds could see you lose money

12 February 2024 , 09:59

1172     0

A new TV Licence scam email is making the rounds (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A warning has been issued over a fake TV Licensing email which is asking people to make payments

The scam email making the rounds claims to have been sent from TV Licensing and has the subject line of "you're about to lose your licence". The email says you need to renew your licence and invites you to do so online by clicking a link in the email. However, this link will take you to a fake website. Phishing emails such as this will usually ask you to share information such as personal or bank details which could put you at risk of being scammed in the future or even losing money.

Highlighted by consumer group Which?, the email reads: "Please renew your licence now, it only takes a few minutes. Your TV Licence expires on X February 2024. To renew, choose whether you want to pay monthly or all in one go, get your payment details ready and then it's done for another year."

If you receive an email and are concerned about your TV Licence, you should not click the link. Instead, you should go to the official TV Licensing website (www.tvlicensing.co.uk) and check if you have any messages on your account. This will help you confirm whether TV Licensing has tried to get in touch with you.

If you have received this email then you should report it as a scam. You can do this by forwarding the email to - [email protected]. You can also report fake websites to the National Cyber Security Centre. If you have already entered personal details into the website, then you should report it to Action Fraud or call them on 0300 123 2040. If you have shared bank details you should contact your bank immediately.

'Most impersonated woman' used by scammers to steal from thousands of men

TV Licensing shares ways you can check if an email is legitimate or a scam on its website. According to the group, genuine emails and letters are personalised to include information such as your name, part of your postcode or your licence number - this number can be found on your TV Licence account. The group noted that scammers usually try and hide the email address they are using - you should check this if you receive any emails.

They also explained that scam emails often tell you that you need to make an urgent payment. TV Licensing only emails customers about payments if they have missed one and you can sign into your official account to check. Alongside this, scammers usually mention refunds or cheaper licence options in their fake emails. TV Licensing says they will never contact you about a refund unless you have already contacted them about one.

You can find the full details on how to spot a TV Licence scam on its official website here.

Ruby Flanagan