People across Swindon are being urged to stay alert following a rise in scam text messages claiming to be from local councils or parking enforcement services. These fraudulent messages typically allege the recipient has an outstanding parking fine and direct them to click on a link to make payment.
Designed to instil panic, the texts often include threatening language or create a sense of urgency, hoping recipients will act quickly without questioning the source. But make no mistake – these are scams.
The public is being reminded that legitimate parking fines are never issued via text message containing payment links. Any such message should be treated with suspicion and deleted immediately.
Mobile networks have a simple way for people to report these scams – by forwarding the text to 7726. This free service enables the networks to investigate and block the numbers involved. More than 31,000 scams have already been tackled in this way.
Residents are also encouraged to report such messages to Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. The information helps authorities trace patterns and potentially identify those behind the scams.
In the meantime, the advice is clear:
❌ Do not click any links.
❌ Do not reply.
Forward the message to 7726.
Delete it from your phone.
This latest phishing attempt is one of many circulating in the UK, as scammers continue to prey on busy individuals who may mistake the messages as genuine.
Please spread the word among family, friends, and neighbours – particularly those who may be more vulnerable to such tactics.
