Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

MOTORISTS across the UK are receiving a series of worrying SMS TXT messages saying you have a speeding fine or a parking ticket.

An example of such a SMS TXT message we have obtained reads:- "Parking Charge Notice (PNC): the recorded shows that you have unpaid parking fines. the payment deadline is November 18, 2025. If you still haven't paid by then, you may be subject to additional fines and interest. Your driving license may be revoked, and this could also have a negative impact on your credit record. after reading this message, please enter your vehicle registration number in the following link to view and pay the parking fine (information inquiry is free). fines-pc02-top Please complete the payment immediately to avoid more legal disputes. thank you again for your cooperation."

This text is a fake and is being sent from mobile phone system firms like:- Hutchison 3G UK Ltd. and even O2 Mobile. Others use spoofing systems to send cloned or completely fake numbers out.

If you get any text messages or emails using the domain name:- "pc02.top" please note that this itself does not appear to be a legitimate domain, and sites like this often have characteristics associated with known scam sites. These fraudulent sites often appear credible and may be used in attempts to collect personal or financial information fraudulently.

In this case, the site looks like a real Gov.UK website, but the URL is not 1 that a UK Government body would use. Additionally, local authorities like Sefton Council do not send text messages out in regards to parking fines, nor do Plolice Forces in the UK, like Merseyside Police, send them out for paying speeding tickets. Genuine Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are typically issued as a physical ticket on your windscreen or sent by post. Local Councils have confirmed that they will never contact residents by text message about a PCN.

This type of phishing scam is increasingly common and with the rise of more computer systems and mobile networks, this is a very easy way for scammers to trick people into passing on personal information along with making money from these types of scams. The text messages often use high pressure tactics, such as the threat of suspending your driving licence, or Court action, to force victims to act quickly. Furthermore, a new version of the scam has been reported which uses the recipient's IP address to make the location listed for the fine appear more convincing. There have also been warnings about similar scam texts purporting to be from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) or the Department for Transport (DfT), neither of which deal with parking fines.

If you have encountered this website through an unsolicited email or message, it is strongly advised that you do not interact with it, click any links, or provide any personal information. If you are concerned you may have a genuine unpaid PCN, you should always check directly via the official Sefton Council website or app, and never use a link from an unsolicited message. You can find general guidance on identifying and avoiding scams from resources like Action Fraud in the UK. If you have clicked on a suspicious link, it is advised that you restart your device immediately as this can kill any remote connection, and if you have entered any bank details, you must contact your bank's fraud department at once.

To report a fake scam text message in the UK, forward the text to:- 7726 for free to report it to your mobile provider. Additionally, you can forward suspicious emails to:- Report@Phishing.Gov.UK. If you have lost money or provided personal information, you should also report it to Action Fraud or Police Scotland on:- 101 (in Scotland).

At a quick glance you will see that within this text you will spot that the date is in American Format. No registration number, and also it is not a .Gov website URL. Plus, you should note that the Council will not have your mobile number linked to your registration, and your name isn't on it.

The picture below is an example of the page you would get if you clicked on the link. This page is extreamly convincing and even has links to the .Gov website.

Please note:- We do not suggest you visit the susspected scam website we have listed on here, and we have put - instead of a . to stop people clicking on it by accident.