DVSA warns motorists over fake parking penalty text scam

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Fri, 04 Oct 2024

The DVSA is warning motorists about a new fake parking penalty text scam that has already caught out some drivers.

The SMS text message tells the driver that they need to pay a DVSA ‘parking penalty charge’. If they do not pay on time, it says the fine may increase, they could go to court, or could even be banned from driving.

However, the DVSA doesn’t have the power to issue parking penalties – and it is warning anyone who receives a text message to immediately report it to the National Cyber Security Centre.

This Is Money has seen a copy of the text message, which contains some obvious spelling and punctuation mistakes. It opens by saying ‘Dvsa notice for you’, instead of DVSA.

It continues: 'Please enter your license plate in the link after reading the information, Check and pay parcking [sic] penalty charge. Thank you again for your copperation [sic]. Dvsa.'

For anyone who has been caught out by the parking penalty text scam, the DVSA advises people immediately contact the police – and, if they have provided the details requested, contact their bank right away too.

It is the latest parking related scam, with motorists warned back in August to be wary of fake car park QR codes.

Scammers are sticking fake QR codes next to official ‘pay by phone’ stickers on parking machines. They take motorists to a fraudulent website that provides their banking information to criminals.

The practice is being dubbed ‘quishing’.

Ask HJ

Is the driver or vehicle owner responsible for parking fines?

A relative borrowed our car in 2019 to go to hospital but apparently never bought a parking ticket. We have had threats for a year then they stopped as the relatives said they had sorted it out. now a letter arrived (at the wrong address) stating they wanted £170 or they will pass the fine to a solicitor. The person who drove the car no longer lives in the UK. It seems strange that after all these years we suddenly start getting letters again and over the past month one every week demanding money. My question is as I am the owner of the car am I liable or is it for the person who parked the car at the hospital car park liable? They are unlikely to pay it as they live on the other side of world and won't be coming back. I have been away for a month so I haven't communicated with the company.

The person driving the vehicle at the time of the offence is liable for the parking ticket, in the same way that they would be liable if they committed a speeding offence. Unfortunately due to the amount of time that has elapsed you are unable to appeal the ticket, but you should still inform the company of the name and address of the person responsible. In the event that they pursue action against you and are successful, you would then be in a position to make a legal claim against the person driving the vehicle at the time.

Answered by David Ross

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