Lloyds Bank has raised the alarm over a dramatic surge in fraudulent schemes aimed at learner drivers.
The bank reports that scams have jumped by 92 per cent in just six months, with criminals preying on young people’s desperation to secure a driving test.
Fraudsters are increasingly using WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram to target learners struggling with long delays.
Victims of these scams are losing £244 on average, according to Lloyds’ data.
The warning comes at a time when learner drivers are facing extraordinary waits to secure test slots.
Across England, the average wait is now between 22 and 23 weeks, with some centres reporting backlogs of up to half a year.
The delays have created the perfect environment for criminals to exploit.
High demand and limited availability mean many learners are vulnerable to offers promising faster access through unofficial routes.
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Lloyds has sounded the alarm on scammers targeting learner drivers
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Lloyds has specifically cautioned customers with active accounts on these social platforms.
Liz Ziegler, Lloyds’ Fraud Prevention Director, said: "Fraudsters know that many learner drivers are frustrated about the long waiting lists and will jump at the chance of an earlier test date. These criminals are ruthless and sophisticated, and we urge everyone to stick to official channels."
The bank warned that scammers are deliberately targeting frustration, stepping in with seemingly legitimate promises of quicker appointments. The current backlog can be traced back to the Covid pandemic.
A wave of postponed tests, coupled with rising demand from new drivers, has left the system struggling to recover. Criminals are taking advantage of this environment with a systematic three-stage method.
They identify learners posting about their struggles, offer to bypass the official system, then demand payment before disappearing. Many fraudsters pose as driving instructors or claim to have insider connections at test centres.
They promise guaranteed test slots within weeks, a claim that proves highly attractive to learners facing nearly six months of waiting.
Lloyds is starting a new wave of branch closures from next week | PA To make their scams more convincing, these criminals use professional-looking profiles. Fake logos, staged testimonials and fake “success stories” all help create a false sense of trust.
Their process typically begins with credibility-building.
Scammers reply to learner driver posts, sympathise with their situation, and introduce their so-called special access to test slots.
In the second stage, they cultivate trust.
Direct messages are often used to reassure learners, with the fraudsters portraying themselves as understanding and reliable.
The final stage involves securing money.
Victims are asked to make payments via bank transfers or unofficial channels, supposedly to guarantee discretion.
Some scammers offer “packages” including fast-track tests, guaranteed passes or access to cancellation lists.
By pricing these offers just below the £62 official DVSA test fee, they appear plausible enough to fool anxious learners.
Lloyds said these scams highlight not only financial risk but also the increasing sophistication of fraud networks.
By scanning social media and directly targeting posts, criminals are finding new ways to identify and exploit victims.
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Learner drivers are at risk.
| PAThe bank has urged learners and parents to remain vigilant.
It emphasised that official test bookings can only ever be made through the DVSA website, not through social media channels.
The bank is also reminding learners to be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true.
It stressed that if someone offers guaranteed slots via social media, it is almost certainly a scam.
The DVSA has echoed the warning, advising learners not to risk losing money by handing over details to unofficial operators.
Only the government website can provide genuine test bookings, and no instructor or third party has the power to shorten the wait.