Learning to drive is an exciting milestone, but with the costs involved, many are looking for the best possible deal. As a Crime Reduction Officer, I must warn you about a scam that specifically targets those in search for a bargain. We are seeing a rise in fraudulent driving lesson scams, mainly on social media platforms such as Facebook, with many people losing hundreds of pounds.
The scam is deceptively simple. Scammers post an advert for a block of 10 driving lessons at a price that is significantly cheaper than reputable local driving schools. This “too good to be true” offer is designed to lure you in.
Once you make contact, they will pressure you into paying for the entire block booking upfront, almost always via a bank transfer. When they have your money, they normally vanish, blocking you and deleting the advert, they may even demand more money for bogus fees like special insurance or early test bookings. Either way, you are left out of pocket and no closer to getting your licence.
To protect yourself, please follow this advice:
If you believe you may have been a victim of a scam, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
Report to Police Scotland directly by calling 101 or online via Contact Police Scotland – Police Scotland Every report assists police investigations, provides intelligence, informs national alerts that protect all communities, disrupts criminals and reduces harm.
In the UK you can forward scam text message to OFCOM on 7726 (free of charge), and forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
#northeastcrimereduction
This messaging system is not for reporting crime as responses are not monitored 24/7. If you have time-critical information regarding the content of the above message, or if you wish to report any other non-urgent matter, please call 101. In an emergency, call 999.
Police Scotland’s North East Division covers rural and urban areas in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City. The division has five territorial command areas which have their own dedicated Area Commander, who is responsible for the daily policing function. Each command area is served by a number of community policing teams whose activities are built around the needs of the local community. These teams respond to local calls and look for long term solutions to key issues. They are assisted by the division’s Crime Reduction Unit who deliver against Force and local priorities in a number of areas, including physical and social crime prevention, supporting and enhancing community engagement and creating and sustaining strong and effective partnership working.
