Drivers warned over parking fine scam as crooks use fake tickets and logos

A CONVINCING NEW PARKING FINE SCAM IS CATCHING OUT DRIVERS ACROSS THE UK, WITH FRAUDSTERS USING FAKE TICKETS THAT INCLUDE REAL CAR DETAILS AND CLONED LOGOS TO STEAL MONEY ANDREW E QUINN and

NEIL SHAW 15:38, 03 Jun 2025 A legal expert has issued a warning about a sophisticated parking fine scam that's duping thousands of UK drivers, involving counterfeit tickets, cloned

logos and even accurate vehicle details to deceive individuals into giving away their bank information. Motorists are returning to their vehicles to discover what appears to be an official

penalty charge notice fixed to their windscreen. The bogus ticket displays the driver's registration, a credible logo from a real parking firm or council, and a QR code or website link

for paying the supposed fine. "Everything about these fake tickets looks authentic - the branding, the language, even the payment site," notes Paul Hampson, a fraud specialist at

CEL Solicitors. "It's an incredibly slick operation, and drivers are falling for it because it plays on panic and urgency. You just want to pay and move on." The scammers

typically place the ticket on the car's windscreen in a manner akin to a legitimate fine. Some even obtain vehicle details through public data sources or by jotting down registrations

in crowded car parks. "Victims assume it's a genuine penalty, especially if they've parked somewhere unfamiliar or didn't check the signs properly," Mr Hampson

elaborated. Article continues below "But when they scan the QR code or visit the website, they're taken to a convincing fake payment portal – and that's where they hand over

personal and banking information," reports Devon Live. The tricksters typically ask for a small fee – often around £60 or £70 – so as not to arouse suspicion, but the real harm is done

after payment when they use the pilfered card details for more significant fraudulent transactions. Mr Hampson highlighted several warning signs motorists should be on alert for.

"Always double-check the website on the ticket – does it match the official parking operator's address? "Are there any spelling mistakes or formatting errors? And if in doubt,

don't pay through a QR code or link – go directly to the company's official website and contact them to confirm." He further cautioned drivers against any ticket that

pressurises immediate payment to avoid legal consequences. "Legitimate parking fines usually allow an appeal process – scammers want you to act fast and skip that step." Mr Hampson

strongly advises those who suspect they may have fallen prey to such scams to get in touch with their bank without delay, enter their payment details, and also to inform Action Fraud about

the incident. "Stay calm, contact your bank, and freeze your card if necessary. And if you're unsure, take a photo of the ticket and contact the official parking company or your

local council for advice before paying." Article continues below Despite the staggering figure of approximately 41,000 parking tickets being issued daily in Britain, an industry leader

claimed last month that private parking companies "don't want to issue parking charges".