Drivers warned over scam parking fine texts

Knowsley Council has warned people not to reply to scam messages

Drivers in Merseyside have been targeted by scam text messages requesting online payments for parking fines, a council has said.

Knowsley Council issued a warning to motorists across the borough after being made aware of the fraudulent messages, saying the authority would never contact people by text message in relation to a parking fine.

The council warned anyone who received the messages not to respond or click on any of the links within them.

It said: "Contact the organisation directly – go online and use the details on their official website and report the suspicious email to Action Fraud."

The DVLA in April revealed almost 20,000 customers had called their contact centre in 2024 to report fraudulent activity, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The driving agency said it had "never been more important for motorists to be vigilant and aware" of how to recognise fraudulent emails, texts, websites and calls.