In the UK there has been a rise in fake HMRC and DVLA calls (both major government agencies) as scammers deploy voice cloning, spoofed numbers and urgent payment tactics.
The telemarketing firm FLSC is warning UK households and businesses to stay alert as a new generation of telephone scams targets consumers.
According to FLSC, fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated voice cloning, highly polished scripts and spoofed phone numbers to impersonate trusted organisations such as HM Revenue & Customs and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, making scam calls harder than ever to detect.
“Traditional scam calls were easy to spot — robotic voices, poor audio quality and obvious pressure tactics,” said a spokesperson for Front Line Sales Consultancy. “In 2026, that’s no longer the case. We’re seeing calls that sound calm, professional and convincingly human, sometimes even mimicking official tones or familiar voices. That’s what makes these scams so dangerous.”
AI voice cloning is changing the scam playbook
FLSC warns that scammers now need only a short audio sample — often taken from social media videos, voicemail greetings or leaked data — to generate realistic voice clones. These calls may include natural pauses, emotional language and confident responses designed to disarm scepticism.
“In some cases, people are being told they owe tax, face licence suspension, or must act immediately to avoid penalties,” the statement continues. “The urgency is deliberate. Scammers rely on panic rather than logic.”
Common scam scenarios
The common scam scenarios to be mindful of include:
- Fake HMRC calls claiming unpaid tax, missed filings or legal action unless immediate payment is made
- Bogus DVLA calls or messages threatening fines, licence suspension or vehicle seizure
- Caller ID spoofing, where the number appears to match a legitimate government helpline
- Follow-up texts or emails sent after a call to add credibility and push victims to click links or share details
FLSC stresses that HMRC and the DVLA do not demand payment, personal data or banking details via unsolicited phone calls.
Warning signs of a scam call
Key warning signs that a call might be from a scammer include:
- Pressure to act immediately, especially around deadlines or penalties
- Requests for payment or personal information over the phone
- Threatening or fear-based language, including legal action or account suspension
- Resistance to verification, such as discouraging you from hanging up and calling back
- Over-polished or scripted responses that fail when challenged with unexpected questions
Protecting yourself
Advice on how to spot a scammer and to tread carefully include:
- Hang up and contact organisations directly using official numbers from trusted websites
- Never share bank details, passwords or one-time codes on unsolicited calls
- Be cautious of follow-up messages that reference a recent phone conversation
- Speak to friends, family or advisors before taking action if you’re unsure
Importantly, such scams evolve every year. In 2026, it could be that AI tips the balance in favour of scammers.
