Scam NCT booking sites defraud motorists out of hundreds of euros

Ken Foxe

Scam websites impersonating the NCT booking system were in operation for several months and evolved from charging drivers extra fees to outright fraud.

Internal records detail how multiple fake websites were operating, with a new version appearing not long after the Road Safety Authority (RSA) issued a public warning.

In one case, a person got stung for more than €600 while several other people paid fees of between €60 and €89 for non-existent appointments.

After the scam was publicised in national media, an internal email said the RSA had successfully managed to get one site shut down based on a “suite of complaints.”

A second site remained in operation, although the safety authority was able to block them from scraping vehicle information to “legitimise their site.”

A message said: “This will significantly inhibit their website booking flow.”

The email added: “We had no further reports today from customers who may have been duped.”

Copies of complaints reveal how multiple motorists were defrauded, including one hit for €660 in two transactions.

One member of the public wrote: “Is this legit as I was charged €89. Should it not be €60? I’m concerned I have been the victim of fraud.”

Another wrote of having two separate sums taken from their account.

They said: “I followed the steps as per usual to book an NCT test for my car … I did the authentication, but it did not appear to go through, so I did it again. €60.00 was taken.

“Then I checked my account to check my balances and to my dismay €60 was taken and also a second amount of €600.00 was taken by a scam site … I can ill afford it.”

The victim said they felt the RSA needed to be doing more to alert people to the possibility of fraud.

“Surely, NCT should be emailing all customers who are required to do a NCT test on their cars in 2026 to make them aware of potential scams.”

Another said the site was a perfect mimic of the proper web page. “You would not have noticed anything was amiss,” they said.

“Can I ask please that this information is made public to people so no one else is scammed as things are costly enough in the current climate?”

One motorist even turned up at an NCT centre with a copy of their payment form – only to find their appointment didn’t exist.

A few days later, a third website – described as “new and more advanced” – popped up, offering bogus bookings.

In emails, the Road Safety Authority said they were examining options around a “takedown” request to have that page closed down.

Asked about the records, a spokesman said: “The Road Safety Authority is urging all motorists to remain vigilant when booking services on-line, as fraudulent websites are increasingly targeting unsuspecting drivers.

“There is potential for highly convincing NCT clone sites to take payments for appointments that simply do not exist.”

The spokesman warned the public to be cautious of sponsored search results or third parties offering ‘secure’ spots.

“Taking a moment to double-check the website address could prevent significant financial loss,” he added.