Warning about unpaid parking fines scam text
Monday, September 16, 2024
Residents are being warned about a new scam text that is circulating about unpaid parking fines.
“It is really upsetting that people are being scammed into giving up their personal information.
“It’s important that everyone learns the signs of a scam text and copycat website. If you’re not sure, never click on the link.
“And to be clear, the Council will never send a text requesting payment for a parking fine.
“Please spread the message and help to keep us all safe.”
Cllr Matthew Morley
Cabinet Member for Planning and Highways
The text leads to a copycat government website where you are asked to provide personal and payment information.
The text from a random number tells you: ‘an unpaid parking fine was found on your vehicle,’ and that you need to ‘pay immediately.’
The Council will never send a text message requesting payment for a parking fine. Penalty Charge Notices are issued on the spot by our Civil Enforcement Officers or sent by post with details provided by the DVLA. If they are not paid or challenged within the prescribed timescales the Council would send correspondence via first class post, never by text message.
If you receive an unexpected text message, don't be tempted to click on any links or follow instructions to log into any accounts. Do not make any payment or provide your bank details. Please delete the text message.
If you need to pay a parking fine to the Council, you can only do so on our website, via telephone, post or in person at Wakefield One.
You can report scam websites to the National Cyber Security Centre and texts can be forwarded to 7726.
You can also report the scam to Action Fraud. If you lose money to a scam, contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card.
For more information about the scam, please visit https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/scam-alert-new-parking-fine-scam-text-aj5wx1j3trT1
If you are ever unsure if a message, email or letter from the Council is genuine, you can check by calling our contact centre on 0345 8 506 506.