A legal expert has warned that a convincing parking fine scam is catching out thousands of UK drivers – using fake tickets, cloned logos and even real car details to trick people into handing over their bank details. Victims return to their cars to find what looks like an official penalty charge notice stuck to their windscreen. The fake ticket includes the driver’s registration, a convincing logo from a legitimate parking company or council and a QR code or website to pay the fine.
“Everything about these fake tickets looks authentic – the branding, the language, even the payment site,” says Paul Hampson, a fraud expert 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 fraudsters typically leave the ticket on the windscreen, just like a real fine. Some even use car details they’ve gathered through public data sources or by noting down registrations in busy 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 explained. “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.”
The scammers often request a modest fee – typically £60 or £70 – to avoid arousing suspicion. But the real damage comes after payment, when the criminals use the stolen card details for larger fraudulent transactions.
Mr Hampson says there are key red flags drivers should look out 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 also warns drivers to be wary of any ticket that demands immediate payment to avoid legal action. “Legitimate parking fines usually allow an appeal process – scammers want you to act fast and skip that step.”
Mr Hampson urges victims to contact their bank immediately if they’ve entered payment details, and to report the scam to Action Fraud. “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.”
