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

8/10/2024
Sudden Withdrawal Of Bus Services In Caithness
Aarons of Wick Ltd informed The Highland Council at lunchtime on Friday 4 October that with immediate effect they were unable to continue to operate any school or public service journeys which require a full-size bus.   The Council has sourced replacement services from Dunnetts Transport for the Reay - Thurso and Bower – Castletown – Thurso services.  
7/10/2024
Supporting Island Communities
New funding for critical infrastructure projects that will help boost employment, empower communities and ensure a sustainable future for Scotland's island communities has been announced by First Minister John Swinney.   Ten projects have been awarded a share of the Scottish Government's £3 million 2024/25 Islands Programme Fund.  
3/10/2024
Councils Withdraw Support For National Care Service Proposals
Council Leaders have (27th September 2024) withdrawn support for the Scottish Government's revised National Care Service Bill.   The Bill is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.  
2/10/2024
New Contract For Highland's Mixed Plastic And Metal Containers Recycling ServicesThumbnail for article : New Contract For Highland's Mixed Plastic And Metal Containers Recycling Services
A new contract has been awarded to Perthshire's Wyllie Recycling Ltd for the provision of mixed plastic and metal container recycling services and haulage in Highland.  This includes plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, metals tins, drink cans, aerosols and food and drink cartons which are collected in the new green recycling bins.  
23/9/2024
Council Raises Awareness Of Market Operator's Licences For Any Businesses, Companies Or Organisations
The Highland Council is asking any businesses, companies or organisations who are planning to hold any type of market, including Christmas or festive type markets, to contact the Licensing Service to check if they require a market operator's licence.   If a licence is required, organisers will have to have applied for, and had this granted, prior to the market taking place.  
20/9/2024
Councillors Agree Revised Community Wealth Building StrategyThumbnail for article : Councillors Agree Revised Community Wealth Building Strategy
Members at meeting of The Highland Council 919 Septmber2024) agreed a refined strategy and action plan for the Council's approach to Community Wealth Building.   The Community Wealth Building Strategy 2024 - 2027 provides an alternative approach to economic development and a practical response that aims to keep wealth within a local area.  
14/9/2024
Change of Direction For Future Of Thor House In ThursoThumbnail for article : Change of Direction For Future Of Thor House In Thurso
Following a process of review, including extensive stakeholder engagement, The Highland Council has completed an options appraisal on the future of Thor House in Thurso.   The Council can now confirm that it intends to reinstate the property as a short break house for children with disability.  
13/9/2024
Highland Council Education Committee Supports Recommendation For Youth Work And Adult Learning Transfer And The Financial Position Of Highlife Highland
At the Education Committee today (Thursday 12 September 2024) Members agreed to the recommendation to transfer Youth Work and Adult Learning to the Council from High Life Highland.  The final contract review report will come to the Committee in November 2024 for consideration.  
12/9/2024
Community Learning And Development Plan 2024-2027
The Education Committee met today (Thursday 12 September 2024) and agreed the Community Learning and Development Plan 2024-2027.   Community Learning and Development (CLD) plays an important role in ensuring individuals, families and communities reach their potential, through lifelong learning, mutual self-help and community organisation, ensuring support and opportunities are community-led and built around people's individual and collective aspirations.  
10/9/2024
Boosting Scotland's Planning System
Specialist expertise will be utilised to help boost development and green energy opportunities in Scotland.   The Planning Hub will support planning authorities to improve their resourcing, skills and capacity to deliver planning determinations promptly.