CORNWALL Council has issued a warning to residents about a ‘fake parking ticket’ scam currently being issued via text message.

Residents in Cornwall have reported receiving a text falsely claiming to be from the council stating that they are being issued with a ‘parking penalty charge notice’. The text states that this has to be paid within 28 days, or risk being fined twice the amount.

It contains a link which sends the unsuspecting user to a fake website designed to imitate a government web page which directs them to pay their ‘parking charge notice’. If they are duped and pay the ‘fine’ the money is transferred straight to the scammers.

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: “Beware of a fake text message claiming you need to pay a parking ticket via a link. Cornwall Council never sends texts about penalty charge notices. Never supply your bank details and avoid sharing personal information with unknown sources.

“We never send text messages regarding penalty charge notices. Official communications regarding parking tickets will always be delivered by post. Never click on suspicious links or provide personal or financial details through unknown sources.

“If you receive a similar message, report it to the police and do not click on the provided link. You can also report the scam to the National Cyber Security Centre on their website at https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/

“Remember, if you have received a genuine parking ticket, you can pay it through the official Cornwall Council website.”