Fake parking fine texts targeting Lincolnshire drivers
Residents urged to ignore messages claiming unpaid parking penalties as criminals attempt to exploit fear of fines and prosecution.
Drivers across Lincolnshire are being warned about a fake parking fine text scam that has started circulating again.
Lincolnshire County Council says several residents have recently reported receiving messages claiming they owe money for a “Parking Penalty Charge Notice” (PCN). The texts warn the fine will increase by 50% if it isn’t paid within 28 days, and threaten prosecution and court costs.
But officials say the messages are completely fraudulent.
Lincolnshire County Council parking manager Matt Jones says the scam is designed to pressure people into paying money they don’t actually owe.
“And here we go again with criminals popping up on Lincolnshire mobile phones with this scam,” he said.
“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.”
The texts aim to create panic by suggesting urgent action is needed, but the council says genuine parking penalties are never handled via text message.
Instead, any real PCN will come with clear instructions explaining how to pay or challenge the charge, normally printed on the back of the physical notice or through official council channels.
“This despicable scam is working on a fear of prosecution and payment and is entirely false,” Mr Jones added.
“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.”
Residents who receive one of the texts are advised to ignore it and not click any links or make any payments.
Instead, people should take a screenshot of the message – including the phone number it came from – and report it to the UK’s fraud reporting service.
Scam texts can also be forwarded to 7726, a free service used by mobile networks to investigate suspicious messages.
Anyone wanting to report the scam directly can contact Report Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040.
Authorities say reporting the messages helps investigators track the criminals behind them and prevent others from being targeted.