Don’t Get Caught: How to Spot Fake Parking Fine Text Scams
Scammers are getting smarter — and one of their latest tricks involves sending fake text messages about unpaid parking fines. These scams often look official, sound urgent, and try to scare you into clicking a link or giving up personal details.
Here’s how to protect yourself and what to do if you receive one of these fake messages.
1. What Do These Parking Fine Scam Texts Look Like?
Scam texts may claim you’ve received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) or Penalty Charge for a parking offence. They often:
Include urgent language, e.g. “Final warning!” or “Your credit score will be affected.”
Contain a link to a fake payment page.
Pretend to come from an official source, like your local council or DVLA (they don't send fines by text).
Use company names that sound legitimate.
Example message:
“You have an unpaid parking fine. Failure to pay will result in legal action. Pay now: [link]”
2. How These Scams Try to Trick You
These scam messages play on fear and urgency — they want you to act before thinking.
Common tactics:
Threats of legal action or court involvement
Claims your credit score will be damaged
Fake deadlines, like “Pay within 24 hours or face further penalties”
Convincing-looking links (e.g.
gov.uk-parking-fine.com) to spoof legitimate sites
Once you click the link, you may be asked to:
Enter your name, address, vehicle registration, or card details
Download malware onto your phone
3. Who Can Legally Issue a Parking Fine?
Only specific organisations have the legal right to issue and enforce parking fines and access your data from the DVLA:
Local authorities (e.g. your council)
The police
Private parking companies that are members of an accredited trade association such as:
British Parking Association (BPA)
International Parking Community (IPC)
Note: These bodies do not send PCNs via text message. Most official parking fines arrive by post.
4. What to Do if You Receive a Scam Message
Do not click any links.
Do not reply to the message.
Do not share personal or payment details.
Instead:
Report the message by forwarding it to 7726 (a free spam reporting service from UK mobile providers).
Delete the message.
If you’re genuinely unsure whether a fine is real, contact the council or company directly using details on their official website — never the contact info in the message.
5. How to Report and Protect Others
If you’ve received a scam message or think you may have given personal information to a scammer:
Report it to Action Fraud – www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040
Contact your bank immediately if you entered card or banking details
Change your passwords if you entered login information
Run a virus scan on your device if you downloaded anything
Final Tips to Stay Safe
Treat all unexpected text messages with caution.
Scammers regularly spoof government agencies — always check their legitimacy.
Never click links in unsolicited texts.
Keep your phone and antivirus software up to date to reduce risk.
Scams evolve fast — but so can your awareness. Share this article to help others stay one step ahead.