Cyber criminals have created fake copies of the National Car Testing Service (NCT) website and are scamming motorists out of hundreds of euros.
These fraudulent websites look almost identical to the real NCT site and have appeared in online search results. Many drivers have unknowingly booked what they believed were legitimate NCT appointments and paid fees ranging from €60 to €600. This money was lost to scammers.
When searching online for the NCT website, motorists may click on a fake or sponsored search result. This leads to a fraudulent website that mirrors the real NCT homepage. Victims enter their payment details, believing they are booking an official appointment.
In some cases, scammers later contact victims again, requesting additional payments under false pretenses.
One motorist reported paying an initial €60, only to be contacted later and asked for a further €600, which raised suspicion and revealed the scam.
The NCT has received multiple reports from motorists who believed these fake websites were legitimate. Unfortunately, the fraudulent sites have not yet been fully taken down. Gardaí are urging motorists to be extremely cautious when booking NCT appointments online.
Official NCT Website:
A spokesperson has confirmed that the only official and legitimate website for booking an NCT appointment is:
Any other website claiming to book NCT appointments, especially those charging extra fees, should be treated with caution.
Last year, a different NCT-related website appeared online, posing as an intermediary service. While the bookings were genuine, motorists were charged unnecessary additional fees. This highlights the importance of booking directly through the official website.
If you believe you may have fallen victim to this scam:
- Contact your bank immediately for advice on fraudulent transactions
- Monitor your account for any unusual activity
- Report the incident to An Garda Síochána
How to protect yourself:
- Type the website address manually: www.ncts.ie
- Be cautious of sponsored or paid search results
- Never pay third parties to “secure” an NCT appointment
If you come across any suspicious websites or services claiming to offer NCT bookings, report them to Gardaí to help protect other motorists.