THOUSANDS of drivers have been hit with another wave of parking fine scam text messages.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued a warning that scammers are sending text messages about fake parking penalty charges.
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The text messages notify people that they have a “parking penalty charge”.
If they do not pay on time, they might be banned from driving, have to pay more and be taken to court.
The text message reads: “Dvsa notice for you: You have a parking penalty charge due on 2024/9/30.
“If you do not pay your fine on time, Your car may be banned from driving, you might haeve to pay more, or you could be taken to court.
“Please enter your license plate in the link after reading the information, Check and pay parcking penatly charge.
“Thank you again for your copperation. Dvsa.”
The initial text message is then followed up with scam reminders.
One scam message says: “DVSAÂ Fixed Penalty Office last notification :
“You have not paid your ticket within the stipulated time. Today is the last time to notify you to pay.
“We will ban your car from driving on the road starting tomorrow and transfer your parking ticket to the court.
“Please wait until you receive the information. Process your ticket as soon as possible in the link.”
Another reads: “EWHC notice for you you: We are preparing to prosecute you for the materials handed over by DVSA.
“Because you have not pay your parking penalty charge for a long time. Today is the last day for payment.
“If you do not pay within today, we will prosecute you. Please read the information and enter your license plate to check your parking ticket.”
DVSA does not issue or deal with parking fines.
And a number of people have taken to social media complaining about how they’ve been receiving the texts.
One wrote: “Nice try! #PCN #Scam #Message #DVSA #Warning #Text”
Another commented: “It’s scary how realistic these texts look. Don’t fall for it people!”
A third said: “I just got one of the #scam penalty charge notice #PCN texts that are going around at the moment saying I owed a parking fine.
“It’s a well known scam but it could catch out the unaware. Be careful.”
What to do if you received a message
You can report scam text messages to the National Cyber Security Centre.
You do not need to contact DVSA if you have received the text message.
If you’ve responded to a scam text message
If you’ve been tricked into sharing personal information with a scammer, you can take immediate steps to protect yourself.
Find out what to do if you think you’ve shared personal information.
If you’ve lost money or have been hacked as a result of responding to a suspicious text message, report it:
- at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 (in England, Wales or Northern Ireland)
- to Police Scotland by calling 101 (in Scotland)
