UK drivers are receiving an urgent text message | Tech News

If you all of a sudden get a text this bank vacation weekend suggesting you’ve a parking positive, be warned. A really convincing rip-off is presently doing the rounds and getting caught out will depart you critically out of pocket. Spotted by the tech crew at Express.co.uk, the assault begins with a easy message that means a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) has been issued, however the positive has but to be paid.

An urgent date can also be included, and a warning is added that not paying the positive will lead to further penalties and even a strike in opposition to your credit score. 

“Parking Charge Notice (PCN): The record shows that you have unpaid parking fines,” the message seen by Express.co.uk reads.

“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 hyperlink is then included to pay the invoice. We are urging anybody who will get the text NOT click on on it. It’s not simply us issuing that warning with quite a few UK councils posting messages on X saying the identical factor. Trafford Council stated in a post online, “Please don’t click the link or make any payment,” and Royal Borough of Greenwich added, “If you receive a text claiming to be a PCN, it’s likely a scam.”

Express.co.uk has visited the location, and it appears to be like scarily actual. In truth, issues seem equivalent to the UK Government’s official GOV.UK web site, with the font and design all showing extremely convincing.

Once on the web web page, you are requested so as to add a postcode in your native council after which your car’s registration.

To see what occurs subsequent, we added faux particulars and had been nonetheless instructed we needed to pay a £20 positive with a “Pay Now” button showing beneath the penalty charge discover.

It’s right here that issues get scary. Anyone fooled will then be requested to provide their full tackle, identify, and banking particulars. Once that is executed, the scammers can have full entry to account knowledge, which may then be used to steal money.

If you get a text that claims you’ve a PCN be on high alert and do not click on on any hyperlinks from a message.

“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,” the GOV.UK website explains.

“Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 – it’s free. This will report the message to your mobile phone provider.”

If you assume you’ve already been conned, misplaced money or been hacked as a result of of an online rip-off or fraud, and also you’re in England or Wales, you could message Action Fraud as quickly as potential and likewise inform your bank.

Stay alert as scammers proceed to attempt a swathe of tips to get your knowledge.