Spotting TV Licence scams

What is the TV Licence scam?

There are several ways someone might attempt a TV licence scam. They might:

• text or call you
• send a letter in the post
• come to the doorstep and pretend they're someone they're not
• email you

While the most common TV licence scams tend to be via email, if you're at all suspicious of any contact that claims to be about your TV licence then contact the TV licensing company yourself by searching the contact details. Never use the details given in any communications you're suspicious of. 

Email scams

These emails are a phishing scam, a common type of email fraud where scammers will send bogus emails pretending to be from a respectable organisation. This is to trick you into clicking through to a fake website where you will enter your personal details.

For this scam, the emails are disguised to look like they have been sent by the TV Licensing organisation.

They may say you're entitled to a refund for an overpayment or warn that your licence is about to expire. They will then ask you to respond by entering your bank details on a fake website.

Although the emails may use the TV Licensing logo and have other features that make them look authentic, you should never trust them.

How to spot this scam?

There are a few common signs that you shouldn't trust an email:

1. The sender has an unusual email address
   The TV Licensing organisation will use donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk (or donotreply@spp.tvlicensing.co.uk) to email you. The scammers cannot send emails using these addresses. Instead, they may come from a personal email account or one which looks unusual.
2. The email doesn't use your name or has an incorrect account number
   TV Licensing will usually include your name in their emails unless you told them you don't need a licence and didn't provide a name. The scammers may insert an incorrect customer ID in the hope that you will not check that it's wrong.
3. It contains spelling and grammatical errors and inconsistent styles
   Although all writers can make mistakes, it's common to find grammatical and spelling errors on phishing emails. They may also seem too casual or unusually formal or use colours and styles that are inconsistent with the organisation's style.

Our infographic can help you spot a suspicious email

What should I do if I get this email?

If you see this suspicious email, don't reply with your details or open any links or documents. Delete it straight away.

You can report the phishing attempt to Action Fraud. Not all reports will be investigated, but every report will help Action Fraud better understand the scale of a problem and the methods that scammers are using.

If you're still unsure, you can contact the TV Licensing company directly using the phone number that is on the official TV Licensing website.

What should I do if I've been a victim of a scam?

If you've been the victim of a scam, remember that you're not alone. Scams are increasingly common and many people are caught out. Here are some tips on what you should do next:

• If you suspect you’ve lost money in a fraud, contact your bank or building society. They can cancel any cards or freeze your account.
• Report the crime to Action Fraud either through their website or on the phone 0300 123 2040.

If you still feel concerned, you can speak to someone at Age UK. Call our advice line on 800 678 1602 (it's free to call and open from 8am to 7pm, 365 days a year) or contact your local Age UK.