Beware fake parking fine texts

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is warning that scammers are sending text messages about fake DVSA parking penalty charges. The text messages warn people that they have a ‘parking penalty charge’, and that if they do not pay on time, that they might:

• be banned from driving
• have to pay more
• be taken to court

The text message reads "Dvsa notice for you: You have a parking penalty charge due on 2024/9/30. If you do not pay your fine on time, Your car may be banned from driving, you might have to pay more, or you could be taken to court. Please enter your license plate in the link after reading the information, Check and pay parking penalty charge. Thank you again for your co-operation. Dvsa."

The initial text message has been followed up with scam reminders:

• DVSA Fixed Penalty Office:
• Today is the last day to pay your ticket due to your long term delinquency, if you do not pay your ticket on time you may be required to pay more in the future, and we reserve the right to prosecute you. Please be patient and open the link below to process your ticket.
• Thank you again for your co-operation.

Another scam reminder says:

• DVSA Fixed Penalty Office last notification:
• You have not paid your ticket within the stipulated time. Today is the last time to notify you to pay. We will ban your car from driving on the road starting tomorrow and transfer your parking ticket to the court. Please wait until you receive the information. Process your ticket as soon as possible in the link.

Another scam message says:

• EWHC notice for you:
• We are preparing to prosecute you for the materials handed over by DVSA. Because you have not paid your parking penalty charge for a long time. Today is the last day for payment.
• If you do not pay within today, we will prosecute you. Please read the information and enter your license plate to check your parking ticket.

DVSA advises that it does not issue or deal with parking fines.