Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Parking Violation Scam Texts

Any text message claiming you have an unpaid parking violation is almost certainly a scam. Government agencies and local councils do not notify residents of parking fines via text or social media; official notices are exclusively issued as physical tickets on vehicles or sent through the postal service.

Red Flags

  • Urgent Threats: The messages often use high-pressure language, threatening immediate license suspension, credit score damage, or increased late fees (often a specific amount like $35 or £20) if you don't pay within hours.
  • Suspicious Links: They include links to fraudulent websites designed to mimic official government portals to steal your payment and personal information.
  • Vague Details: Real tickets include a specific PCN number, the vehicle's registration, and the exact time/location of the offense. Scams are typically generic and lack these specific identifiers.
  • Grammar & Spelling Errors: Look for awkward phrasing or typos, such as misspelling "vehicle" or using unofficial domain extensions like .vip or .date instead of .gov.
  • Activation Prompts: Some scams ask you to reply "Y" to "activate" a link. This is a tactic to bypass your phone's spam filters.

Received a Text

  1. Do Not Click: Never click on links or QR codes provided in an unsolicited text.
  2. Do Not Reply: Responding, even to "stop," confirms your number is active and may lead to more spam.
  3. Verify Independently: If you are genuinely concerned, visit your local government's official website directly (by typing it into your browser) or call their official customer service line to check for outstanding fines.
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