Warning fake TV Licence demand emails

WE have received a number of reports about an email going around that claims to be about your TV License. The email says that your payment could not be automatically renewed, with the subject line:- "Your TV Licence Number is: 5690839049 - Oops! Something Went Wrong."

When you look at the email address it is incorrect.  Also when you inspect the link given on the email, it does not point to TV Licensing, but a website that looks like it's a law firm's, based on Washington DC, America. The site appears to have been hacked and the page you click on then takes you to another site, that is again, what appears to be a compromised website, this time a firm that is involved in plant cultivation, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Definitely not TV Licensing!

The website that you land at is a fake version of the official TV Licensing website which asks them to enter personal information and bank details.

If you receive a similar email message, please delete it. If you have already clicked the link, do not enter or submit any information.

If you have entered personal information, or suspect you or a relative has, as a result of this fraudulent email, you should report the fraud to the Action Fraud Helpline website or call them on:- 0300 123 2040.

If you have submitted any bank or card details, please speak to your bank immediately!

TV Licensing said that:- "We are aware of this problem and are investigating the source of this fraud. If you suspect an email might be from a scammer, never click on any links within it or open any attachments on the email. Scammers may trick you into installing viruses or giving away your personal and bank details or compromise your computer, via installing a virus. If you have any doubts whether an email has come from us, you can visit the TV Licensing website directly by typing TVLicensing.Co.UK into your web browser or you can use our other contact details."

Here's how to tell if a TV Licence email is genuine or a potential scam:-

1. Look at the email sender's address closely. TV Licensing will almost always use 1 of the following email addresses:-

► donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk

► no-reply@tvlreminders.co.uk

► But also note that occasionally, they do partner with other companies to send out emails. These companies include:- InfoBase-X and Acxiom Limited, who may email you, on behalf of TV Licensing, from Infobase-XConsumer@dm-uk1.com, but we suggest that you do not use the links within them or open the attachments, if you have not requested them.

2. Check the email subject line... Anything along the lines of "Action required." "Security Alert." "System Upgrade." "There is a secure message waiting for you." and so on, should be treated as suspicious!

3. Look at the closely at the links to see if they are pointed only to TVLicensing.Co.UK. If you're using a desktop computer, hover over the links in the email (but don't click them) to see their destination. Check the web address carefully. Some scams might put fakesite.com#TVLicensing.Co.UK others might be .com, so look very, very closely. Small additions, like .co.uk.biz, at 1st glance, can easily be over looked... If you can't hover over the links (as you are on a tablet or a phone) or are not sure what to do, don't trust it. Go directly, via typing in to your browser, the TV Licensing website:- TVLicensing.Co.UK.

4. TV Licensing will never email you, telling you that you're entitled to a refund.

5. They will never ask you to pay additional money for our services, eg. when you're buying a licence or changing your details.

5. If you are 74 or over, you can get a free TV Licence, and you will not be asked to pay!

6. Check for a change in style and errors in spelling or grammar... Often, scammers will take the real emails and amend them. Look out for changes in the wording used, especially if it seems too casual or familiar. Are there any spelling mistakes, missing full stops or other grammatical errors? Ok, we all make errors at times, but it could indicate an issue!

7. Was it in the spam folder? Sadly it is not 100%, as some email systems are a bit to strict and treat real emails as spam as well... But it is always worth noting...

8. If you'd like more information about potential scam emails and how to spot them, you might find the following websites helpful:-

► Spam and scam email on:- GetSafeOnline.Org.

► Guide to scams on:- Which.Co.UK.

Remember, the golden rule of the internet... Never click on links in emails like this and never use the phone number they provide without checking on the official website...

Lookers CEO raises record total for motor charity Ben

NATIONAL motor retailer Lookers has raised a monumental ₤215,755 for automotive charity Ben through the annual Industry Leader Challenge.  The total is the biggest reached in the 3 year history of the challenge, which is given by Ben each year to a business leader within the automotive sector to raise vital funds for the charity to help support those within the industry that have fallen on hard times. This year it was the turn of Lookers' Chief Executive, Andy Bruce, who, together with staff from across the business, took on the:- 'Lookers Electric Charge.' The challenge involved driving across the UK using only electric and hybrid cars and visiting all 155 of the group's dealerships, from Charles Hurst in Dublin in May to its final stop at Mercedes-Benz of Eastbourne. The cars, which ranged from a Nissan Leaf to the brand new Jaguar I-PACE, travelled over 2,000 miles to destinations that also included the iconic Ford factory in Dagenham and the Jaguar plant in Castle Bromwich. The 6 month fundraising challenge has not only raised a significant sum of money for Ben but has helped to raise awareness of electric cars among Lookers' customers. As well as putting these cars to the test, staff across the business took part in a wide range of fundraising activities, ranging from carbon neutral days and green energy workshops to test drive events and golf days. The total raised was announced at the glittering Ben Ball at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London recently, with Andy Bruce handing over a cheque alongside Lookers' mascot, Lucky the dog.  He also passed on the Industry Leader Baton for 2019, to:- Jon Wakefield, MD, Volvo Car UK; Darren Guiver, UK MD, Group 1 Auto; and Tim Tozer, CEO, Allianz Partners.  Andy Bruce said:- "The Lookers Electric Charge has been a huge success, not just because of the fantastic amount that we have managed to raise, but in the way that so many people across our business took the challenge to their hearts and came up with some ingenious fundraising ideas. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and commitment as well as their time and huge effort, without which this incredible achievement just wouldn't have been possible."