Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Parking Penalty Charge Notice Scam Warning

20th September 2024

Photograph of Parking Penalty Charge Notice Scam Warning

The Highland Council Trading Standards service is urging motorists to be aware of a recent trend in scam texts aimed at tricking people into thinking they have to act quickly to pay a parking penalty charge notice (PCN).

The text asks you to pay the PCN which has been issued by "a local Council". It states you have 28 days to pay or you will be issued with a "Charge Certificate" which means you will have to pay the original PCN plus 50% more, and you only have 14 days to do this or you will be prosecuted, which will mean a larger fine and Court costs. The text then gives you a link to click on in order to pay.

Highland Council Trading Standards Team Leader, Mark McGinty, states: "The text is worded in such a way as to escalate pressure on the reader to pay quickly as things will only get worse if they don't. I'd urge anyone who receives such a text to just take a moment to think about it. Ask yourself about your vehicle, where you have parked, is there a link between your vehicle and your mobile phone number? Which Council is it? Of course, it's not just motorists as these texts are sent to any mobile telephone number.

"If you are suspicious at all, don't click on any links or give out any personal or bank details. Suspicious texts can be reported to mobile providers on 7726, this allows them to identify scam texts and block the numbers they use. Also make your friends and family aware, you will not be the only person to be sent this."

Shane Manning of Highland Council Traffic and Parking Services added: “We have seen a number of these texts sent to various people who have contacted our office. This is not how The Highland Council conducts business. We do not send texts and our advice is to ignore any texts of this type. The Highland Council will contact you regarding a PCN by post or email. If you have been issued a PCN by The Highland Council, you should visit our website for the required information."

Scam calls can be reported to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or by visiting www.consumeradvice.scot .

If you think you may have lost money in a scam, report it to Police Scotland on 101.

From Trading Standards
Several people have received a new scam text message saying that an unpaid parking fine has been found on their vehicle. They are asked to click on a link to pay the fine immediately.
The link leads to a spoof government website that uses government logos, fonts and branding and asks you to enter personal details and to pay a £25 fine.

How to Avoid
Don't click links in unexpected messages.

Be suspicious of any unexpected message which appears to be from a government agency or official organisation and tells you that you must provide your details or a payment within a certain time frame.

In Scotland, you could get a parking fine from different sources:
A police officer or traffic warden can fix a penalty notice to your car - the notice will tell you how and when to pay the fine
A parking attendant employed by the local council can give you a penalty charge notice. The attendant must give you the notice or fix it to your vehicle. Again, the notice will tell you how and when to pay, or you can phone the local council to find out more.
You could get a parking ticket on private land - this is called a Parking Charge Notice (PCN). You might get a ticket on your windscreen or in the post. This should state the name of the landowner or company that has issued the ticket.
If you are searching online for contact details or information about any government services, make sure that the address of the website you are visiting ends in GOV.UK

Find out more
Original article: www.which.co.uk/news/article/scam-alert-new-parking-fine-scam-text
Information from Citizens Advice Scotland on paying parking fines in Scotland: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/law-and-courts/parking-tickets
UK Government advice on avoiding and reporting phishing messages: www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

14/4/2025
Council's In-house Bus Service expands into CaithnessThumbnail for article : Council's In-house Bus Service expands into Caithness
The Highland Council is pleased to announce that from Monday 21 April it's in-house bus team will be delivering the 918 Wick to Berriedale service.   This is the first venture for the in-house bus company outside of the Inverness area since the successful introduction and launch of Highland Council Buses.  
14/4/2025
The closure of radio teleswitching explained
The Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) is due to end on Monday 30 June 2025.   If your electricity meter uses RTS, it must be replaced.  
9/4/2025
Convener thanks those who took part in Highland Visitor Levy Consultation and confirms next steps
Following the conclusion of the public consultation on the possible introduction of a visitor levy for the Highlands, the Council Convener has thanked everyone who submitted responses and confirmed the next steps to be taken.   The Council held a series of webinars, community drop-in events, face to face public sessions and business events as part of the consultation process.  
2/4/2025
Highland screen industry attracts over £3.5M growth in direct film spendThumbnail for article : Highland screen industry attracts over £3.5M growth in direct film spend
Continuing with the trend over the past few years, Highland has seen the highest ever direct spend recorded for filming in The Highland Council region.  In 2024, figures surpassed previous years to reach over £3.5million in direct spend.  
2/4/2025
Highland Council Charitable Trusts award over £100,000 to schools and community groups
At the recently held meeting of the Educational Trusts Sub Committee, the trustees made awards of over £105,000 to a wide variety of individuals and organisations from The Highland Council Charitable Trusts.   The awards ranged from a few hundred pounds to £10,000.  
31/3/2025
Highland council Increasing charges from 1 April
Highland Council is implementing several changes to service charges in 2025: Council Rent Charges: An 8% increase has been agreed for council homes to address rising costs and fund housing improvements.  The average weekly rent for council homes will rise to £82.84, which is still below the national average.  
28/3/2025
Highland Councillors Accept £490,00 pay increase - 22% Rise taking total to £2.3million
Highland Council have agreed to boost senior councillor pay by between £5-11k this year.   The move adds almost £500k to the councillor wage bill, bringing it to a new total of £2.3 million.  
24/3/2025
Councillors to consider Highland Investment Plan update
Highland Councillors will be asked to consider a new approach on the future of the Highland Investment Plan (HIP).   Approval is being sought for the allocation of funding for the first phase of proposed projects for 2024/25 to 2029/30 which will help improve local public facilities and sustain local communities and population.  
21/3/2025
Key appointments form core leadership team at Inverness Castle Experience
The Inverness Castle Experience is delighted to announce the appointment of three senior roles, adding to its leadership team ahead of its highly anticipated opening later this summer.   The Inverness Castle project is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.  
21/3/2025
Highland Coincillors approve ambitious Talent Strategy to foster growth and innovation
Members of today's Corporate Resources Committee (Thursday, 20 March) were presented with and approved the organisation’s Talent Strategy and Talent Action Plan These have been designed to support initiatives to grow and retain talent within the Council, ensuring a sustainable workforce for the future.   The Talent Action Plan includes initiatives such as developing apprenticeship programmes, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and promoting flexible work models.