Parking fine text scam

A parking ticket scam is doing the rounds again in the Lincoln area motorists are being warned. 

Text messages fraudulently demanding money for parking fines should be ignored according to Lincolnshire County Council Parking Manager Matt Jones.

The texts read ‘Parking Penalty Charge Notice’ and claim an outstanding parking ticket is due to be paid, warning of an increase of 50% if the fine is not paid within 28 days and that the receiver will be prosecuted and may also face court costs.  

“And here we go again with criminals popping up on Lincolnshire mobile phones with this scam,” said Matt. 

“They are trying to get money out of anyone they can and it's entirely fake regardless of whether or not the person they text has had a PCN filed about their parking.

"This despicable scam is working on a fear of prosecution and payment and is entirely false. I would strongly advise everyone to ignore it. 

“Any genuine parking charge can either be paid, or contested, through the channels that are clearly laid out on the back of the parking notice itself. 

"There will never be any sort of text message issued about payment of a PCN charge in this way. 

“I would suggest that anyone who receives a text message like this takes a screen grab, including the phone number it is sent from, and sends it to Action Fraud as soon as possible.” 

To get in touch with Action Fraud go to: actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. 

It’s also possible to forward a scam text message to 7726. For more guidance go to: Report a scam text message - NCSC.GOV.UK