Warning over scam parking fines email

Published Friday, 25th September 2020

A warning has been issued to local residents by Hartlepool Borough Council’s Trading Standards Team over a scam e-mail that is circulating regarding unpaid parking fines.

The e-mail, which appears to come from “HM Courts & Tribunals Service’, states that there is an outstanding Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and that if it isn’t paid soon the debt will increase.

Trading Standards & Licensing Manager Ian Harrison said “This e-mail is another scam and anyone receiving it should delete it immediately. Under no circumstances should they click the link that is contained within the message.

“Anyone who does have unpaid parking tickets will not receive a demand in this way. Although the e-mail carries the official ‘HM Courts’ logo, a close reading of the message will reveal spelling mistakes and that the e-mail has been sent from a non-governmental e-mail address.

“Bogus e-mails such as these are usually looking to either obtain money or to gain access to the recipient’s computer so that personal data and/or money can be stolen later. My advice is to delete any e-mails you receive from an unexpected source or that look, in any way, suspicious.”