Drivers warned after rise in parking scams

Drivers are being sent text messages asking them to pay parking fines, which then direct them to a fake government website

Drivers are being targeted by parking scams which trick people into paying money to fake websites, officials have warned.

One involves a text message demanding money, while another uses QR codes to direct users to fraudulent pages online.

The scams have taken place in 10 council areas across the North East, with Durham County Council warning drivers that fines would never be sent by text.

Det Supt Gary Miles, head of the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, said: "Make sure you pay in the safest way by either paying at the machine, via a phone number or through the official app provided by the parking organisation."

The text messages impersonate a council and ask the recipient to pay a penalty charge notice (PCN) within 28 days or face further fines and prosecution.

Durham County Council said PCNs are sent in the post or attached to car windscreens in yellow envelopes.

Elizabeth Scott, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said people should not click the payment link and should delete the message.

The text messages invite users to click on a link where they can pay their fine

The QR codes are placed at car parks and direct users to websites that imitate real legitimate companies such as PaybyPhone or RingGo. However, they use a different address, such as "pay--by--phone.com".

"We would never contact vehicle owners by text, and we only accept payment at our car parks via the payment machine, or through the official PaybyPhone app or website," Scott said.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said QR codes often go undetected by security software and people should exercise caution when scanning them in stations or car parks.

QR codes are being placed on parking meters which direct drivers to fraudulent websites

Det Supt Miles said: "If you scan a QR code and it takes you to website you feel doesn't look right, do not share any personal or financial information and leave the website immediately.

"You should never pay for parking via a bank transfer."