How to Spot a Scam Parking Penalty Charge Text Message from the DVSA

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in the UK is responsible for the safety of vehicles and drivers. However, scammers often impersonate the DVSA to send out fake parking penalty charge text messages. Here’s how you can identify and avoid falling victim to these scam messages.

1. Know the Basics

First, understand that the DVSA is not responsible for issuing parking penalties. Parking penalties are usually issued by local councils or private parking companies. This basic knowledge can help you recognise that any parking ticket message claiming to be from the DVSA is likely a scam.

2. Look for Red Flags in the Message

Scam messages often contain several tell-tale signs:

• Urgency: The message may create a sense of urgency, pushing you to act quickly without thinking.
• Links: Suspicious links that ask you to click on them to pay a penalty.
• Spelling and Grammar: Poor spelling and grammar are common in scam messages.
• Unusual Sender: The sender may be a random mobile number or a suspicious looking email address.

Example of a Scam Message

Here is an example of what a scam text message might look like:

“This is the DVSA. You have an unpaid parking penalty charge. Click here to pay: http://fake-link.com”

3. Cross-Verify Information

If you receive such a message, it is crucial to cross-verify the information:

• Do not click on any links in the message.
• Check your vehicle’s records and any received mail for actual parking penalties.
• Contact the relevant parking authority directly to inquire about any outstanding penalties.

4. Report the Scam

If you identify a message as a scam, report it:

• Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) to report it to your mobile network provider.
• Report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime.

Important Contacts

• Action Fraud: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
• DVSA Contact: https://www.gov.uk/contact-dvsa

Quick Tips

• Trust your instincts; if a message seems off, it probably is.
• Always verify the source before taking any action.
• Keep your software and apps updated to protect against potential vulnerabilities.