Yahoo News Motorists warned about new parking fine scam that's 'very convincing'
Motorists across the UK are being warned about a new scam that's 'very convincing' and therefore easy to fall for, even for those who consider themselves tech-savvy.
Fraudsters are targeting individuals by sending out phony texts that direct you to a fake government website. The message claims that you've received a parking fine, and that it must be paid to avoid extra charges or potential legal action.
According to the consumer experts at Which?, it can be really helpful to know some of the warning signs to look out for when reading your texts, since this one in particular is so difficult to suss out - especially given how common parking fines are.
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The text, originating from an unknown number, informs you that 'an unpaid parking fine was found on your vehicle,' and that immediate payment is required. The message contains a fraudulent link hosted by 'qrco.de', a QR code generator. If clicked, you'll be directed to a very accurate imitation of the actual government website, complete with matching logos, branding and font, reports the Mirror.
You're then prompted to enter your vehicle registration number, before being informed you must pay a £25 parking fine. Following this, you're asked for more personal and payment information including your name, email, phone number and home address to settle the fine.
According to Which?, the 'only sign' that this was a fake website was the URL - as all official pages begin with gov.uk.
Motorists are being strongly advised to disregard this text if they receive it, as a measure to prevent falling victim to potential scams. It's also crucial to refrain from clicking on any embedded links, as these could harbour harmful software capable of infecting your device.
The consumer specialists at Which? have provided a four-step checklist to assist in identifying potentially hazardous websites and discerning their authenticity.
Check the URL - if it doesn't begin with 'https' or is different to what you're expecting, then don't visit it.
Check for slight changes in the website address - scammers will often mimic an official website address, hoping you won't spot a small typo or slight change to the address.
How did you find the website? If you were directed to it from a message or online advert, you should question it.
Read the pages on the website - it may say that it’s not officially affiliated with the actual organisation.
