Car owners in the UK are being warned about a new scam that involves fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid parking fines. The deceptive texts threaten additional fines and interest if the supposed Parking Charge Notice (PCN) is not paid promptly.
The scam message instructs recipients to click on an embedded link, but authorities and councils are advising against doing so. Local councils, including Trafford Council and Royal Borough of Greenwich, have issued warnings, emphasizing that such texts are likely scams.
Upon clicking the link, individuals are directed to a website designed to resemble the official UK Government’s GOV.UK site. The fake site prompts users to enter their local council’s postcode and their vehicle’s registration details. Subsequently, users are asked to pay a fake fine, followed by requests for personal and banking information, which can lead to financial fraud.
To avoid falling victim to such scams, individuals are urged not to disclose private information, click on suspicious links, or download attachments from unverified sources. Vigilance is crucial as scammers employ various tactics to obtain personal data and commit fraud.