Recently, there has been an increase in scam text messages targeting drivers in the UK, falsely claiming they owe payments for Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
In this post, we will review how the scam works and ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
About Parking Penalty Charge Notice Scam Text
This scam involves fake texts about unpaid parking fines, directing users to a bogus site that mimics an official council payment page. Using logos and urgent language, the messages pressure recipients to pay quickly without verifying their authenticity.
How The Text Looks Like:
Local councils, including Erewash, Sheffield, Sefton, and Wandsworth, have issued warnings about these scams. Erewash Borough Council emphasized that they never send payment requests for PCNs via text.
Parking Penalty Charge Notice: Please pay a parking penalty charge notice (PCN) issued by a local council. If you do not pay a PCN within 28 days, you’ll get a ‘charge certificate’ and you’ll have 14 days to pay the original fine plus 50% more.
How Does Parking Penalty Charge Notice Text Scam Works?
The scam sends fake texts posing as local councils, claiming an unpaid parking fine and threatening extra charges or legal action if not paid immediately.
The message includes a link to a fake payment site where victims are asked for personal details like credit card info and vehicle registration. Scammers use this data for identity theft or unauthorized transactions, creating urgency to trick victims into acting without verifying the message.
How to Protect Yourself From These Scams?
To stay safe from parking fine scams, always verify the source by contacting your local council directly.
Report suspicious texts by forwarding them to 7726, helping mobile providers block such messages.
Only make payments through official council websites, never through links in texts or emails.
Regularly check your bank statements for any unauthorized activity, and if scammed, contact your bank immediately.
Lastly, report any scam attempts to Action Fraud for further assistance. Stay cautious and always double-check before acting on unsolicited messages.
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Juliet