Parking fines: How to protect yourself from common scams

Parking fines: How to protect yourself from common scams

Recent alerts have been issued by various law enforcement agencies and local governments nationwide following an increase in parking scams during the summer months. These scams range from deceptive text messages regarding unpaid fines to altered parking machines that discreetly capture your card details. Scammers are employing more sophisticated tactics to trick unsuspecting victims.

According to BBC scams expert Nick Stapleton, there are simple steps you can take to safeguard yourself and avoid falling prey to some of the most prevalent ploys. Stapleton advised viewers on Morning Live about the importance of being vigilant and aware of these fraudulent activities in order to protect yourself from potential harm.

One crucial tip is to verify that any parking fine you receive contains certain key details, such as the vehicle registration, time of the offense, and location where it occurred. Stapleton emphasized that legitimate fines are typically delivered in writing and left on your vehicle’s windshield, handed to you in person, or sent through the mail. Different types of fines include penalty charge notices issued by the council, fixed penalty notices typically issued by the police for offenses like speeding, and parking charge notices from private companies, which are essentially invoices for parking violations.

Additionally, if you receive unexpected messages claiming you owe money for an unpaid parking ticket, be cautious about clicking on any links provided. These fraudulent texts or emails may use threatening language to prompt you to pay immediately. It is important to remain calm and avoid falling for these tactics. If you suspect a website is not legitimate, try clicking on other links on the page to see if they are functional, as fake sites often have dead links

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More