Drivers alerted of scam text messages about parking fines
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a stark warning to drivers that scammers are sending text messages about fake parking penalty charges.
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.
The DVSA have reiterated that they do not issue parking fines to drivers in the UK.
They are urging those who receive a message 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 (England, Wales, or Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland.
- Is your vehicle too long for public car parks?
- Parking guide – where you can and can’t park
- Yellow lines and parking – what are the rules?
Following the announcement from the DVSA, RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “This new text message trick is the latest in a series of nasty scams where criminals are catching drivers out by imitating online payment methods.
“In the short-term, the cost is unnecessary and expensive as drivers end up paying a fine for an offence they didn’t commit.
“The long-term implications can be even worse if scammers use their bank or personal details elsewhere.
“It’s incredibly unusual to receive a text about a parking fine if there wasn’t a ticket on your car in the first place – and the ticket normally includes information on how to pay.
“To be safe rather than sorry, we’d advise any recipients of the text to first check if they need to pay a fine with the authority rather than following the URL in the SMS.
“If a fine is due, ask for the payment options and, if you choose to pay it online, make sure the website is the genuine one and that any details you enter are sent securely.”
Cheaper than AA Price Promise^
- Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
- We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
- Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^T&Cs apply.
You might also like
Airport parking fees in the UK
New RAC analysis shows that seven of the top 20 by passenger numbers have further increased their prices for airport drop-off parking since last summer.
Drivers in Wales warned over ‘fake’ car parking QR codes
According to a new report, one driver in Pembrokeshire in Wales was caught out paying for parking using a ‘fake’ QR code. Learn more from the RAC today.
How to guide - bay parking for your driving test
Daunted by the prospect of a busy car park or squeezing in next to other cars? Here’s our ultimate guide to forward and reverse bay parking. Read more here.
Parking guide: where you can and can't park
To avoid a parking nightmare and the fines that go along with it, read our simple guide to where you can and can't park.
Parking on the pavement - is it illegal? The definitive answer
Parking on the pavement is not illegal outside of London and Scotland. You can, however, still get a fine for doing so in some instances. Learn more here.
Popular in News
1
Car buyers to save thousands as EV grant returns
2
Private parking companies issue a record 14.4m tickets to drivers in a single year
3
Drivers fined £1m from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024
4
Road deaths on the rise in Great Britain
5
Private parking industry urged to publish ‘full and transparent’ complaints and appeals data
6
Drivers now able to search for new home that comes with EV chargers
7
Leicester’s Sean Kimberlin named as RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year
8
Number of drivers caught using unroadworthy vehicles jumps by 52% in a year
9
Warning to drivers across the UK over fake parking apps
10