Wide-spread car tax scam looks SO realistic millions of drivers fall for it as DVLA issues fresh warning

A WIDESPREAD car tax scam looks so realistic that millions of drivers have fallen for it.

The DVLA has issued a fresh warning over the scam, which has been reported more than 1,100 times in just two weeks.

Fake emails claiming to be from the agency have duped motorists into thinking their road tax payments have failed.

The "phishing" emails trick unsuspecting drivers into handing over their financial details.

Action Fraud said: "We have received 1,186 reports in two weeks relating to fake emails purporting to be from DVLA."

A spokesperson added: "The emails claim that the recipients' vehicle tax payment has failed.

"The payment links provided in the emails lead to genuine-looking DVLA websites.

"But they are designed to steal your personal and financial information.”

The number of DVLA scams has surged by a whopping 603 per cent over the past three months.

Genuine messages from the agency will never ask you to send your bank details by email.

The DVLA will also never send you text messages about vehicle tax refunds.

Never share snaps of your driving licence, bank details or vehicle docs online.

Cybercrime cops have taken down nearly 200,000 phishing scams on 358,186 websites this year.

The National Cyber Security Centre said: "By reporting suspicious emails, drivers can help reduce the volume of scam communications they receive.