Don’t Fall for Parking Scams: How to Stay Safe

With reports of parking scams on the rise across the UK this year, motorists are being urged to stay alert. Fraudsters are targeting drivers with fake fines, cloned websites and even tampered machines designed to steal card details.

Fraudsters are targeting drivers with fake fines, cloned websites and even tampered machines designed to steal card details.

Here’s how you can protect yourself from the most common tricks.

1. Genuine fines always follow a process

Real parking notices contain specific information:

• Your vehicle registration number

• The time the offence occurred

• The location where it happened

If a “fine” you’ve received is missing any of these, treat it with suspicion.

Legitimate notices will be either:

• Placed on your windscreen

• Handed to you directly

• Posted to your home address

Remember: councils and police issue official fines, but private companies issue invoices called “parking charge notices.” These aren’t always enforceable, so check the details before paying.

2. Be wary of texts and emails

One of the fastest-growing scams involves messages claiming you owe money for an unpaid ticket. They often:

• Use urgent language to scare you

• Include a link to “pay immediately”

• Pretend to be from government or police

Never click suspicious links. If you’re unsure, exit the site and contact your council or the company directly using official channels.

3. Act fast if you click by mistake

If you’ve clicked a dodgy link, don’t panic — but take immediate action:

• Restart your device — this can cut off any remote access.

• Change your passwords — especially for email, banking and shopping accounts.

• Contact your bank — let them know what happened so they can monitor unusual activity.

Installing antivirus software and running a scan can also give peace of mind.

4. Spot tampered payment machines

A newer scam involves physical skimming devices hidden on pay-and-display machines. These capture your card details before showing a “declined” message.

To protect yourself:

• Check for strange stickers or extra attachments around the reader

• Look for correct logos and consistent branding

• Trust your instincts — if it looks odd, don’t use it

If something feels wrong, pay in cash or use the official parking app instead.

Final tip: Stay alert

Scammers rely on panic and distraction. By double-checking details, avoiding suspicious links and keeping an eye out for tampered machines, you can reduce your risk.

If you think you’ve been targeted, report it to Action Fraud and contact your bank immediately.