Scammers target Fife drivers

Example of the scam text which begins with 'Please pay a parking penalty charge notice issued by a local council'.

Fife Council is warning of a possible scam attempt involving text messages about unpaid parking tickets.

Andy Paterson, Lead Consultant for Car Parking Strategy & Operations said: "Fife Council and other local authorities do not send text messages about outstanding Penalty Charge Notices. I would urge the public to ignore any such messages and avoid clicking links contained in the message.

"If you have received a Penalty Charge Notice, details of how to pay or appeal the Penalty can be found on the back of the PCN. PCNs can also be paid or appealed by visiting the Parking Fines section on Fife Council's website."

Parking tickets issued by Fife Council cannot be paid through texts. If you have received such a message, do not click on the link or provide payment details.

Suspected fraud can be reported to Police Scotland by calling 101, and advice is available from Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or online at www.consumeradvice.scot