Since the start of the pandemic we’ve seen the number and variety of scams increase. Research by the Government’s Joint Fraud Taskforce found that 8 out of 10 UK adults had received a scam text in the last three months and landline call scams continued to be a threat for older people, with almost two thirds of all over-75s saying they had received a potential scam call.

That’s why TV Licensing is working to help customers protect themselves against fraudsters. To help stop the scammers , we are asking people to STOP – CHECK – ASK if they receive any suspicious communications that appear to be from TV Licensing.

• STOP – Scammers will attempt to trick you into giving away your personal or bank details. Always be wary of letters, emails, texts or phone calls that promise you money or a refund.

• CHECK – Has the sender spelled your name correctly and are there any grammatical mistakes? You should also make sure they have included the correct licence number, which you can check on the TV Licensing website.

• ASK – If you’re ever unsure about a communication you’ve received, it’s always best to ask someone – perhaps a friend or trusted advisor. You can go to the TV Licensing website and sign in to your licence at tvl.co.uk/yourlicence to check if anything is actually wrong or call TV Licensing on 0300 303 9695 to speak with someone who can help.

You can find more information about how to avoid scams and how to report one here.