In short
TV Licensing says it will never text you about a refund or ask for bank details by text, and it will not ask you to enter personal details on its website until you have signed in to your licence. Its genuine emails greet you only by name and/or part of your postcode, and come from addresses such as donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk.
Most common fake: Your TV Licence payment failed, update your billing information.
Safest check: Check whether the email uses your name or part of your postcode, not a generic greeting.
What TV Licensing says
TV Licensing says it will never text you about a refund or ask for bank details by text, and it will not ask you to enter personal details on its website until you have signed in to your licence. Its genuine emails greet you only by name and/or part of your postcode, and come from addresses such as donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk. Source: TV Licensing
Common fake TV Licensing messages
- Your TV Licence payment failed, update your billing information
- You are owed a refund, click to claim it
- Your licence has expired, renew now to avoid prosecution
- Action required: correct your licensing information
- Security alert asking you to confirm your account and bank details
TV Licensing's real web addresses
Genuine TV Licensing links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: tvlicensing.co.uk is real, but tvlicensing-support-center.com or tvlicensing.co.uk.account-check.top are not.
- tvlicensing.co.uk
Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. Learn how to read a web address.
How to check a TV Licensing message safely
- Check whether the email uses your name or part of your postcode, not a generic greeting
- Look closely at the sender address and hover over links before clicking
- Go to tvlicensing.co.uk yourself and sign in to check your licence
- Call TV Licensing on a number listed on tvlicensing.co.uk if you are unsure
How to report a fake TV Licensing message
- Forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Official details on tvlicensing.co.uk
- Screenshot scam texts and email them to TV Licensing at textscams@tvlicensing.co.uk. Official details on tvlicensing.co.uk
- If you lost money or shared bank details, contact your bank and report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Official details on reportfraud.police.uk
Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. See the worldwide list.
If you clicked, paid or shared details
Act quickly. It makes a difference.
- If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card.
- If you entered a password, change it on the real TV Licensing website or app and turn on two-step verification.
- Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account".
- Report the scam, then delete the message.
More help: Phishing links and fake login pages and what to do after a scam.
Questions people ask
Does TV Licensing send messages asking for payment or personal details?
TV Licensing says it will never text you about a refund or ask for bank details by text, and it will not ask you to enter personal details on its website until you have signed in to your licence. Its genuine emails greet you only by name and/or part of your postcode, and come from addresses such as donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk.
How can I check if a TV Licensing message is real?
Check whether the email uses your name or part of your postcode, not a generic greeting. Look closely at the sender address and hover over links before clicking. Go to tvlicensing.co.uk yourself and sign in to check your licence. Call TV Licensing on a number listed on tvlicensing.co.uk if you are unsure.
How do I report a fake TV Licensing message?
Forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Screenshot scam texts and email them to TV Licensing at textscams@tvlicensing.co.uk. If you lost money or shared bank details, contact your bank and report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
I clicked a link in a fake TV Licensing message. What should I do?
Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it.
Official sources and further reading
We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies.