Parking fine scams are catching drivers out across the UK. From dodgy texts to rigged ticket machines, here’s how to spot a fake and keep your cash safe.
Drivers are being warned about a surge in fake parking fines and clever scams designed to steal your cash.
Scammers are getting crafty. Across the UK, fraudsters are using everything from dodgy texts to tampered ticket machines to catch people out.
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1. Got a fine? Check for 3 things
Once you’re over the panic of seeing a yellow square on your windscreen or opening that letter when you’re in from work, there are three things you must look out for to see if the fine is legit.
Genuine parking notices always include:
- Your vehicle registration number
- The time of the offence
- The exact location it happened
If any of these are missing, it’s almost certainly a scam.
And for the record, real fines don’t come via text or email. You’ll either find them on your windscreen, be handed one directly, or get it through the post.
There are three types of notices you might get:
- Penalty Charge Notice – from councils
- Fixed Penalty Notice – usually from the police, often linked to speeding or traffic offences
- Parking Charge Notice – from private firms for breaching parking rules
Private parking charge notices aren’t the same as council fines. They’re actually invoices for breaking a company’s parking rules, and you don’t always have to pay them. Before handing over any cash, double-check your rights (see Euro Car Parks fine – can I ignore it?)
2. Texts and emails? Bin them
One of the most common tricks right now is a fake text or email saying you’ve got an “unpaid parking fine” and must pay immediately. These messages are designed to make you panic.
They usually:
- Include a dodgy link to a fake payment page
- Pretend to be from an official organisation
- Threaten that your licence could be revoked if you don’t pay
Newsflash: that’s not how it works.
Skint Dad says…
Scammers are banking on you panicking. Genuine fines won’t ever arrive by text or email, so take a breath, double-check, and don’t click on anything suspicious.
3. Clicked a dodgy link? Here’s what to do
If you’ve already clicked, don’t beat yourself up — you’re not the first and you won’t be the last. But act fast:
- Restart your device – it can cut off any remote access
- Change your passwords – especially for accounts linked to your bank
- Call your bank – explain what happened so they can monitor for fraud
It’s also a good idea to run an antivirus scan to check for any hidden malware.
4. Check parking machines before paying
According to Action Fraud, scammers are now attaching “skimming” devices to parking machines to steal card details. These swipe your card details the second you tap to pay.
Before you tap your card, check:
- There aren’t any suspicious stickers or items around the payment area
- The logos and branding look genuine
- The reader doesn’t look bolted on or mismatched
If anything feels off, pay with cash or use a parking app instead.
Scammers are clever, but you can be cleverer. Take a breath before paying anything, double-check the details, and if something feels wrong, it probably is.
Skint Dad says…
A quick pause to double-check could save you hundreds of pounds and a lot of stress. When it comes to parking fines, if something doesn’t feel right, don’t pay.
