Penalty Charge Notice Scams

Be aware of fraudulent QR codes and fake PCN text messages

There are things you can do to avoid being a victim of parking payment fraud and scams. Much of this advice is applicable in other situations too.

Recent scams involve fake QR codes and fraudulent Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) text messages. Here’s what you need to know to stay protected.

Fraudulent QR codes

Please Note: In the Royal Borough of Kingston you DO NOT pay for parking by RingGo using a QR code. If you see a QR code on signs placed adjacent to parking bays do not scan it. You should open the RingGo App on your phone.  We are aware that scammers are targeting smartphone parking payments in other London boroughs. Scammers are displaying fake QR codes on parking signage that link to a fake Pay by Phone website. If you see a QR code displayed on a parking machine or sign please let us know by calling APCOA, our parking service team, on 07974 296852 (Monday to Saturday: 7am-10pm, Sunday: 10.30am-10pm). Outside of these hours please call 101 and report the incident. 

Fake PCN text messages

Members of the public are being warned to be on their guard against a scam text message relating to the payment of an outstanding parking penalty charge notice (PCN).
If you receive a text message and are unsure of its origin, do not make any payment or provide your bank details. You can call parking services to check if you have any outstanding PCNs on 020 8547 5995 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

Here’s how you can identify these scams:

• Check the sender: official messages from a parking provider or local authority will come from verified sources. Be wary of texts from unknown telephone numbers.
• Look for unusual URLs: fraudulent links often use suspicious or shortened URLs. Always double-check before clicking on any link.
• Verify directly: if you receive a text that looks suspicious, do not click on any links. Instead, log into the parking app account you may have, or contact the local authority directly to verify the claim.
• Forward scam texts: to the number 7726

Real PCNs are on physical paper and always include instructions on how to pay or appeal it.

Real examples of fake PCN texts:

What to do if you suspect fraud

1. DO NOT CLICK ON SUSPICIOUS LINKS
2. REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY - If you encounter a fraudulent QR code or receive a suspicious text message, report it to the local authority.
3. STAY INFORMED - Always keep your app updated, and follow the official channels for parking payments.

Our sector is working together to stay one step ahead of scammers. Your safety and security matters to us. 

You can also report scams to:

• emails: Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate it.
• If you believe you've received a fraudulent text message, you can report it to Action Fraud, especially if you think you've lost money or been hacked. You should also forward suspicious texts to 7726, which helps your mobile provider investigate and potentially block the sender

Think you’ve been a victim of an online scam or fraud?

Contact Action Fraud in England, Wales and N Ireland:

• report online - either sign up for an account or continue as a ‘guest’
• call 0300 123 2040