TV Licensing

Email scam

Four quick ways to spot a scam

1. Check the sender's email address

Scammers will try to disguise their email address because they normally can't use a genuine TV Licensing one. Look carefully between the <> symbols and you'll find it.

2. Check how scammers address you - it's hardly ever by name

Genuine TV Licensing emails will always use your title and last name.

3. Check links in the email

Do not click on links or attachments. If you’re unsure, you can inspect links first, as follows.

On a computer, hover over the link with your mouse (but don’t click it).

On a mobile or tablet, press down and hold (don’t release whilst on the link).

4. Check addresses of any websites it takes you to

Scammers can’t use ‘www.tvlicensing.co.uk’ for copy-cat sites. They’ll try to disguise this so carefully inspect the full address in the browser bar.

How scammers fake it

One way is to make a tiny spelling mistake or change so small it looks genuine at first glance.

Another way is to bury the website name at the end of a longer one which has .tvlicensing.co.uk. near the start.

The site name (e.g. ‘tvlicensing.co.uk’) has to come just before the first ‘/’ symbol. In the example below www.safetechltd.co.uk tells you this is a fake site.

Check for the official TV Licensing email address

We will always use one of the following email addresses in our notifications to customers:

donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk

For instance, to confirm you have:

• missed a Direct Debit payment;
• renewed your licence;
• made a payment
  or
• to remind you to renew your licence.

no-reply@tvlreminders.co.uk

Renewal reminders

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’s too casual or familiar, or unusually formal;
• odd words are used together in sentences which are hard to understand;
• there are spelling mistakes and missing full stops;
• there are mistakes with capitals or other grammatical errors.

What we'll never do

Fraudulent emails try to catch you off your guard by panicking you into taking action immediately. Fake websites will ask you to do things we never would.

We'll never unprompted:

• email you to tell you that you’re entitled to a refund; or
• ask you to pay additional money for our services, e.g. when you’re buying a licence or changing your details.

We'll never ask for

• your mother’s maiden name;
• your date of birth (unless you’re 74 or over and applying for a free TV Licence).

Still not sure?

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

BBC guide to scam email

Spam and scam email on getsafeonline.org (opens in a new window)

Guide to scams on which.co.uk (opens in a new window)

If you have any doubts whether an email has come from us you can use our other contact details.