Scammers Are Sending Fake Parking Tickets—Here’s What to Watch For

If you drive in North Carolina, be extra cautious the next time you get a text or email about a parking violation. State officials have issued a warning about a new, convincing scam designed to trick drivers into paying fines that don’t exist.

According to a recent consumer alert from the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ), scammers are sending fraudulent parking violation notices. These messages are crafted to look legitimate, often creating a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. While the alert focuses on North Carolina, the tactics used are common and could easily appear elsewhere.

How the Scam Works

The scam typically starts with a text message or an email that appears to be from a city parking authority, a municipal department, or even a collections agency. The message will claim you have an unpaid parking ticket or a new violation. It will include details to make it seem real, such as:

  • A specific vehicle make, model, or partial license plate number (information that is often publicly available or purchased in data bundles by scammers).
  • A date, time, and location for the alleged violation.
  • A threatening tone, warning that the fine will increase significantly if not paid immediately.
  • A link or phone number to “resolve” the payment.

The ultimate goal is to get you to click that link. It may lead to a sophisticated phishing website designed to steal your credit card information, banking details, or other personal data. In other cases, the message might instruct you to call a number where a live scammer will try to pressure you into making a payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency—all hallmarks of fraudulent activity.

Key Red Flags to Spot the Fraud

Genuine government agencies have strict rules about communication and payment. Here are the warning signs that a parking ticket notice is a scam:

  1. Unsolicited Texts or Emails About Fines: Most government entities, especially for parking tickets, will first send a physical notice in the mail. An initial contact solely via text or email is highly unusual and should be treated with skepticism.
  2. Pressure to Pay Immediately: Scammers rely on panic. Legitimate notices provide clear instructions and reasonable deadlines for payment or appeal. Threats of immediate arrest, vehicle booting, or doubled fines if you don’t pay within hours are major red flags.
  3. Unusual Payment Demands: No legitimate government agency will demand payment via gift cards (like Google Play or Apple cards), wire transfers (via Western Union or MoneyGram), or cryptocurrency. These are irreversible payment methods favored by criminals.
  4. Grammar and Spelling Errors: While some scams are sophisticated, many contain subtle language mistakes, awkward phrasing, or incorrect department names.
  5. Suspicious Links and Addresses: Hover your mouse over any link (without clicking) to see the actual web address. If the URL looks strange, uses a public domain like “.com” or “.net” instead of “.gov,” or is misspelled, it’s a scam.

What You Should Do If You’re Targeted

If you receive a suspicious parking violation notice, do not click any links, call any provided numbers, or make any payments.

  1. Verify Independently. If you’re concerned you might have a real ticket, contact the official source directly. Look up the phone number or website for your local city parking authority or clerk of court’s office yourself—do not use the contact information from the suspicious message.
  2. Do Not Engage. Ignore and delete the message. If you answer a call, hang up immediately. Any engagement tells scammers your number is active.
  3. Report the Scam. Help authorities track and combat these frauds by reporting them.
    • In North Carolina, file a report with the NCDOJ’s Consumer Protection Division at ncdoj.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
    • You can also report phishing texts to your mobile carrier by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
    • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

This parking ticket scam is part of a broader trend of impersonation fraud. As noted in a related 2025 alert from the NCDOJ, scammers also frequently pose as the DMV or other trusted agencies. The best defense is a healthy dose of caution and knowing how these agencies truly operate. When in doubt, always go straight to the verified source. Your vigilance is the most effective tool to stop these scams from succeeding.