Local residents are being encouraged to be aware of scammers pretending to be issuing parking fines, following a recent surge in fraudulent text messages and phone calls.
The text messages appear to come from several different numbers and inform the recipient that they have an outstanding parking fine of £20. The messages include a link to a realistic-looking ‘Government’ website where they claim payment should be made.
There have been several reports of texts and phone calls, beginning Friday 6 September and continuing to grow in number, with some people very nearly falling victim.
Cllr Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member Roads and Regulatory Services, said: “We are aware of a number of fraudulent approaches that have targeted local people falsely claiming they owe money from a parking fine. The council will never notify people of a parking charge in this manner; the council will only send out headed official letters at legislative stages of a parking fine.
“We are working with the police to tackle this scam and prosecute those responsible. In the meantime I would urge people to be vigilant for any unusual text messages or phone calls and to report any suspicious activity to your local Policing Authority.”