Authorities advise the public to avoid clicking texted links and instead contact local parking entities. Scammers are using a new tactic to trick unsuspecting victims into paying money.
Criminals send text messages requesting payment for fake parking tickets that don’t exist. This scam isn’t unlike other ones we’ve seen with physical parking tickets that are also fake.
Scammers are nothing if not innovative. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, they come up with new ways to part you from your cash. They’ve gone from working in person to using sophisticated digital methods, and now, they’ve decided to mix the old tricks with new technology.
Authorities are warning drivers that scammers are sending texts about unpaid tolls or parking tickets. If you receive one of these messages, here’s how to avoid getting scammed.
At first glance, these scams don’t look too sinister. You receive a message claiming you have an unpaid bill. In some cases, it focuses on a parking ticket. In others, it references an unpaid toll or other municipal fine or fee. The scammer might even include the amount you supposedly owe, which often seems small – just a few bucks here and there. It’s a tactic designed to make you think “This isn’t worth fighting over”. And that’s exactly what they’re hoping for.
The Simple Steps to Avoid Getting Scammed
Thankfully, the solution here is the same regardless of what sort of message one might get. First, don’t respond at all. Don’t send any messages back at all. Next, block the number, and finally, delete the text. If you want to take things a step further, you can report the message and phone number to the FTC to help prevent future scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
