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Council warn residents of 'scam messages' about parking fines circulating in area
The council said the texts ask motorists to pay fake penalty charge notices through fraudulent links or QR codes, with 42% of drivers vulnerable to scans, researchers found.
- Local councils and police have issued urgent warnings about parking fine scams involving fraudulent text messages and fake QR code stickers designed to steal personal and payment information from motorists.
- Motoring expert Alex Lee at Dick Lovett warned of 'quishing,' where scammers place fake QR code stickers over legitimate ones on parking signage to direct drivers to fraudulent websites mimicking genuine payment services.
- Data reveals 42% of motorists would scan a parking QR code without verifying authenticity, while 19% reported already being scammed while attempting to pay for parking.
- West Mercia Police clarified that local councils never send parking fine notifications via text; official Penalty Charge Notices are issued only through physical tickets on vehicles or Royal Mail to registered keepers.
- Cheshire West and Chester Council is installing new card-payment parking machines later this year and urges residents to avoid clicking links in unexpected messages as scams continue circulating locally.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left0Leaning Right1Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution93% Center
Bias Distribution
- 93% of the sources are Center
93% Center
C 93%
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