New text scam warning as millions of UK drivers could be targeted by fake message

Car driving past parked cars
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images/RooM RF)


Motorists across the UK are being alerted to a new scam that is 'very convincing' and therefore easy to fall for, even for those who consider themselves tech-savvy. Scammers are targeting individuals by sending out counterfeit texts that direct you to a bogus government website.

The message claims that you've been hit with a parking fine, and that it must be paid to avoid extra charges or legal action. Given the prevalence of parking fines, many are at risk of falling prey to this scam, according to experts at Which?, who have sounded the alarm and informed people about what they should be vigilant for.

The text, which will originate from an arbitrary number, tells you: 'an unpaid parking fine was found on your vehicle,' and that immediate payment is required. Included in the message is a fraudulent link hosted by 'qrco.de', a QR code generator. If clicked, you'll be directed to a very accurate replica of the actual government website, complete with matching logos, branding and font, reports the Mirror.

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You'll then be prompted to enter your vehicle registration number, before being told you must pay a parking fine of £25. Following this, you're asked for more personal and payment information including your name, email, phone number and home address in order to get it paid off.

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 ignore this text if they receive it, as a measure to prevent potential scamming. It's also recommended to avoid clicking on any embedded links, as these could be hiding harmful software capable of infecting your device.

Consumer experts at Which? have provided a four-step checklist to assist in identifying potentially hazardous websites and figuring out if they are legitimate or not.

  1. Check the URL - if it doesn't begin with 'https' or is different to what you're expecting, then don't visit it.

  2. 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.

  3. How did you find the website? If you were directed to it from a message or online advert, you should question it.

  4. Read the pages on the website - it may say that it’s not officially affiliated with the actual organisation.

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