The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a warning to drivers about a growing scam involving fraudulent parking fine texts. In response to the alert, RAC spokesman Rod Dennis has commented on the dangers of this scam, which is the latest in a series of tricks targeting unsuspecting drivers.
Rod Dennis explained:
“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.”
The scam involves sending text messages to drivers claiming they owe a parking fine. Victims who follow the link in the message are often tricked into paying a fraudulent fee and risk having their personal and bank details stolen. Dennis emphasized the immediate financial impact of paying for an offence they didn’t commit, but noted that the long-term consequences can be even worse if scammers misuse victims’ bank or personal information elsewhere.
Dennis advised drivers to be cautious:
“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.”
He urged drivers to verify the legitimacy of any parking fine directly with the issuing authority before taking any action. “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.”
Dennis further advised that, if a fine is due, drivers should ask for official payment options and ensure that any online payments are made through secure, genuine websites.
This warning follows a rise in scam-related fraud targeting drivers, and motorists are encouraged to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
