WELCOME TO the official blog of Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association (BBNWA), Bexleyheath Police Station, 2 Arnsberg Way, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4QS. Mobile Tel: 07496 385471 bexleynw@outlook.com Charity No: 1072368
Scammers are constantly sending out fraudulent text messages to try to steal your money, as well as your personal and financial information.
The goal of scam text messages is to get you to follow a malicious link or contact a number currently controlled by a fraudster, where you’ll be coaxed into handing over your info. Tali Ramsey, our scams expert, has highlighted five messages currently circulating, including dodgy DVLA texts and fraudulent parking fines.Picadex sells portable and wall-mountable air conditioners at a time when the country is experiencing multiple heatwaves. But some customers who bought from the retailer complain of receiving nothing, or something not as described.
The company claims to have a 4.9-star rating average on Trustpilot, but its true rating is 1.3. Find out more about how dodgy retailers are capitalising on the heatwave.Text message scams are the backbone of a global fraud empire that's worth billions. Fake delivery messages often lead to bank impersonation scams, and experts say this type of fraud is becoming slicker and trickier to detect.
Which? investigative reporter, Chiara Cavaglieri explains how text messages are fuelling fraud. She shares five red flags you should watch out for to help you spot a fake text. |
| scam DVLA email |
 |
| scam DVLA email |
A local Bexley resident has recently brought a suspicious email to light that is currently targeting drivers across the area.
Designed to look like an official notice regarding vehicle tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) or driving records, this email is a phishing scam aimed at stealing personal details and financial information.
Here is what you need to look out for to keep yourself and your family safe online.
The email claims to be a "Road Use Record Review" from a fake authority called the "Motor Vehicle & Driver Records - Department".
Subject: A notice concerning the road usage cycle for your motor that lapsed in July 2026
Message: "We reviewed your transport record this very day and noted that the annual road use obligation ended on 28 July 2026. Please check your status soon to keep your ability to drive uninterrupted."
It includes a prominent button reading "Review Road Status", which links to a fraudulent site designed to harvest your bank details or personal credentials.
If you receive a message like this, several clear warning signs reveal it to be fake:
Suspicious Sender Address: Official correspondence from the DVLA will come from valid .gov.uk email domains. In this instance, the sender's address ends in @hotmail.com — a clear sign of fraud.
Incorrect Official Terminology: The UK official body is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Phrases like "Motor Vehicle & Driver Records - Department", "road usage cycle", and "annual road use obligation" are awkward, unnatural translations intended to mimic official language.
Vague Greetings & Artificial Urgency: Scammers rely on panic tactics, claiming your vehicle tax or licence has lapsed to trick you into clicking quickly without checking the details.
Do NOT click any links or buttons: Do not press "Review Road Status" or follow any links within the body of the email.
Do NOT reply or share personal information: Never provide payment details, national insurance numbers, or home address details via email links.
Forward it to the NCSC: Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk.
Delete and mark as spam: Once reported, remove the email from your inbox.
If you entered any sensitive information or financial details:
Contact your bank immediately: Tell them your card or account details may have been compromised so they can block pending transactions and secure your account.
Report to Action Fraud: Log the incident online or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Check your official status safely: If you are ever genuinely unsure about your vehicle tax or MOT status, check directly using the official government website at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax.
Please share this alert with neighbours, friends, and family in the Bexley borough—especially older residents who might be vulnerable to digital scams.
Ransomware is one of the nastiest online threats. This computer software
is used by hackers to lock you out of your files, including family
photos, important documents and more. The fraudsters then demand you pay
a ransom to regain access.
To help protect against ransomware, Windows includes a feature called
Controlled folder access. It isn't always enabled by default, so take a
couple of minutes to check your settings now. We walk you through how to do this, here.
If you'd prefer 1-2-1 tech help from Which? experts, including advice on
online security and scams, you can join Which? Tech Support. Our
friendly team is there to chat on the phone or by email as often as you
need. Find out more about the support on offer.
Source: Which? (16 Jul 2026)
Phone scammers are targeting Amazon customers by claiming that iPhones
or other expensive items have been added to their shopping baskets.
Their aim is to take over your device and gain access to your bank accounts. We reveal the tactics being used and explain how you can secure a hacked Amazon account.
Source: Which? (15 Jul 2026)
From summarising documents to researching your next holiday, AI chatbots
such as ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini are becoming part of everyday life.
But the information you share isn't always as temporary as you might
think.
We explain how different AI chatbots handle your data, including how to limit the information they store and switch off settings that allow your data to be used for AI training
Source: Which? (01 Jul 2026)
