How to protect yourself from text message parking scams

Parking scams delivered through text messages are on the rise – and are targeting unsuspecting drivers with convincing fake alerts.

Often containing communications regarding unpaid fees, fines, or threats of towing your vehicle – these fraudulent messages often include official-looking links designed to trick people into giving over personal or payment information.

As scammers become more sophisticated, it is important to stay ahead of the issues facing drivers across the country.

In this know how guide, we’ll break down what to do if you get a scam text message.

DVSA parking scam messages

Earlier this year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued a warning to drivers that scammers are sending text messages about fake parking penalty charges.

Tens of thousands of text messages have been received by drivers across the UK, where the scammers claim to be from the DVSA.

The messages warn the receiver that they have a ‘parking penalty charge’, and that if they do not pay on time, that they might be banned from driving, issued with a large fine, or even be taken to court.

Following the first scam text, many have received a second message threatening them to respond with ‘today is the last day to pay your ticket’ – or something similar.

In response, the DVSA have reiterated that they do not issue parking fines to drivers in the UK.

They are urging those who receive a message – or similar communication – that they can report the scam text messages to the National Cyber Security Centre. The DVSA do not need to be contacted.

For drivers who have already provided personal information, the DVSA urges them to contact Action Fraud Police (0300 123 2040 – England, Wales, or Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland (call 999).

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How to protect yourself from text message parking scams

According to Government advice, you can report scam text messages to the National Cyber Security Centre.

Report a scam text message.

You do not need to contact DVSA if you have received the text message.

Here are the steps you need to take to protect yourself:

1. Check your message has details on your car registration, date of the offence, and the location where it allegedly happened.
2. Never click on links in text messages.
3. If you have clicked on the link – restart your device and change your passwords. If you are worried they have your bank details, call your bank’s fraud department immediately.

QR code parking scam

Following a spate of fake QR codes being stuck on payment machines over the last couple of years at car parks across the UK, the RAC is advising drivers to be ‘very vigilant’.

The best course of action is to only pay with cash, card, or official apps to avoid being scammed.

Criminals are catching out unsuspecting drivers by placing fake QR codes over council-owned parking machines.

Also known as ‘quishing’, it is the latest scam being used by criminals to try and catch out unsuspecting drivers.

The false codes are leading people to enter their card details into fraudulent websites set up to steal payment information.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “A car park is one of the last places where you’d expect to be caught out by online fraud. Unfortunately, the increasing popularity and ease of using QR codes appears to have made drivers more vulnerable to malicious scammers. For some, this sadly means a Quick Response code could in fact be a ‘quick route’ to losing money.

“As if this quishing scam isn’t nasty enough, it can also lead to drivers being caught out twice if they don’t realise, they haven’t paid for parking and end up getting a hefty fine from the council.

“The safest course of action when paying for parking at a council-owned car park is to avoid using QR codes altogether. Most of these councils don’t even operate a QR code payment system, so if you’re in any doubt, steer well clear and only pay with cash, card or via an official app downloaded from your smartphone’s app store.

“This advice should also be applied to any mode of transport where you can pay via a QR code, including electric vehicle charge points and private car parks.”

To avoid being caught out by car park scammers, the RAC advises drivers to only pay via a QR code if they have no other payment option.

It is better to pay by cash, card or via the car park’s official app on your phone.

You could also call the parking provider’s phone number and follow the instructions, but you still need to be careful this is a genuine number.

The RAC advises that if you decide to use the QR code, you should follow these steps:

• Check to see if it has been stuck onto the parking payment machine. Tell-tale signs are the code looking too big or if it partially obscures official information underneath
• Make sure the payment website’s URL is secure and is the official site for the company you want to pay. Look out for a padlock symbol and an address that begins with https://
• If you’re concerned you’ve used a false code, check your bank statement and banking app for any suspicious transactions
• If someone calls you claiming to work for your bank, ask for a reference number, then phone your bank’s actual number from a letter they have sent or from their official website. Never ring the number the caller gives you over the phone or via email