Fake parking fine texts: how to spot the scam before you pay
Quick answer
A text saying you owe an unpaid parking fine, with a link to pay, is a scam. UK councils say they don't text fines. Don't click. Delete it, forward it to 7726, and contact your council directly if you think a fine is real.
- Comes by
- Text
- Pretends to be
- DVLA
- Last updated
How it works
UK councils have warned about texts that claim you owe a parking fine and give a short deadline. Herefordshire Council reported in January 2026 that the messages falsely claim to come from the DVLA.
The link goes to a fake government-style site that asks for your vehicle registration. It then shows a fine of around £20, and some versions threaten more fines, losing your licence or prosecution if you don't pay. You are asked for card details, and the money and the card details go to scammers. Herefordshire Council said one victim who paid the fake fine later had an attempt made to take £400 from their account.
Councils say real penalty notices arrive as a ticket on your car, handed to the driver by an enforcement officer, or by post.
Red flags
- A text about a parking fine you didn't get a ticket for
- A link to pay, and a short deadline
- A generic message that doesn't use your name
- A sender number you don't know, sometimes from outside the UK
- A threat of extra fines, losing your licence or prosecution
- A payment page that asks for card details
Example message
DVLA notice: our records show an unpaid parking fine on your vehicle. Pay within 24 hours to avoid extra charges and further action: [link]
What to do
- 1
Don't click or pay
Delete the text. Councils also suggest deleting it from your phone's bin afterwards.
- 2
Forward it to 7726
Forwarding a scam text to 7726 is free in the UK and is the route councils point to.
- 3
Check a fine through the council or company
If you think you may really have a fine, find the council or parking company's contact details yourself and ask them. Don't use details from the text.
- 4
If you entered card details, call your bank
Use the number on your card, say it was fraud, and ask for the card to be frozen and replaced.
- 5
Report it
Report the scam to Action Fraud (or Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland), especially if you lost money.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers need a way to reach you, and names, phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses are easy to find on people-search sites and data broker listings or in old data breaches. The fewer places your details are listed, the fewer scammers can reach you with a message that looks personal. Serus finds the sites that list you and removes your data, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach.
Frequently asked
Do councils send parking fines by text?
Councils say they don't. Penalty notices come as a ticket on your car, handed to the driver, or by post.
Is a text from the DVLA about a parking fine real?
Herefordshire Council says the messages falsely claim to be from the DVLA. If you're unsure, contact the agency using details you find yourself.
I paid the fake fine. What now?
Call your bank straight away and ask them to freeze your card, then report it to Action Fraud. Herefordshire Council reported a later attempt to take £400 from a victim's account.
How do I report a scam text in the UK?
Forward it for free to 7726 and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
Sources
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