Drivers to remain on high alert as 'incredibly convincing' text scam hits UK
Drivers in the UK need to be on the lookout for a fake text scam that claims they need to pay a parking fine.
Drivers across the UK are being urged to remain on high alert this weekend as a new text scam is currently doing the rounds that could leave victims seriously out of pocket if they click the link.
This new scam suggests drivers have a parking fine they haven't paid yet and if they do not meet the deadline they could face additional penalties in the future.
The very convincing scam was spotted by the tech team at the Express and they are urging anyone who has received the fake Parking Charge Notice (PCN) to not click any links included in the message.
Scammers have made the warning as detailed and anxiety inducing as possible in order to con people into sharing their bank details. The text is said to include an urgent date for payment, as well as a warning that not paying the fine will result in further penalties and a strike against your credit rating.
The message reads: "Parking Charge Notice (PCN): The record shows that you have unpaid parking fines.
"The deadline for paying the fine is August 23, 2025. If you fail to pay the fine on time, you may be subject to additional fines and interest."
A link is also included in the message which will take smartphone users to a website to pay the bill. In order to keep your personal and financial details safe from cyber crooks, it is vital that you do not click the link.
Many UK councils are also sharing the same warning on social media to help protect people in their area. The Trafford Council posted on X: "Please don’t click the link or make any payment," while the Royal Borough of Greenwich added: "If you receive a text claiming to be a PCN, it’s likely a scam."
The team at the Express went as far as to visit the website and described it as looking "scarily real". They said that the many parts of the website appear identical to the official GOV.UK website, including the front and design looking "incredibly convincing".
The web page will ask those who have received the parking fine text to add a postcode of their local council and then their car's registration.
After this, the team was told they needed to pay a £20 fine through a "Pay Now" button that appeared under the penalty charge notice.
At this point the scam asks you to fill in your full address, name and banking details. If anyone fooled by the scam supplies this data they will be handing over full access to their accounts, making it extremely easy for crooks to steal their money.
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Therefore if you do receive a text that claims to be a PCN, it is crucial to stay on high alert and not click any links included in the message.
The GOV.UK website advises: "Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments or click on any links in emails if you’re not sure they’re genuine.
"Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 - it’s free. This will report the message to your mobile phone provider."
For those who think they have already fallen for a scam and have had money or personal details stolen, you must directly report the crime to Police Scotland by calling 101.