Drivers warned about fake parking fine texts

The scam text warns that if no payment is received, then the receiver's car could be banned from the road

Drivers have been warned about scammers sending fake texts demanding the immediate payment of a parking penalty charge notice (PCN).

Leicester City Council has urged people not to respond to the texts, which have been reported by more than 30 people.

The scam texts include a link to supposedly follow to pay the charge and a warning the price will double if no money is received, the authority said.

City council highways director Martin Fletcher confirmed the authority never contacts drivers by text to recover payments and advised anyone who receives a similar text to block the sender and inform the authorities.

Mr Fletcher added: “Penalty charge notices for parked vehicles are placed on the vehicle concerned and instructions are given in the notice regarding payment.

"In the case of moving traffic, notices are sent by post.

“These texts ask people to input their car registration and name, and financial information, which we would never do.

"If you receive such a text you should block the sender and inform the national fraud and cyber-crime reporting centre, Action Fraud."

The city council also warned drivers in September to be wary of stickers on pay-and-display machines with fake QR codes on.