Scam alert as Exeter driver receives fake parking penalty message

People are being urged to stay alert after a motorist was targeted by a parking scam linked to an Exeter City Council car park.

The driver had parked at Topsham Quay Car Park last week when, shortly before the ticket was due to expire, his wife received a text message claiming they were at risk of losing their “license” and that this would affect their credit score. The message included a link demanding payment.

The motorist quickly realised it was a scam, spotting American spelling in the message and noting that the scammer would not have been able to see that the ticket was expiring as the windscreen was frozen over.

Exeter City Council has confirmed that it does not issue penalties by text or email. Any penalty notices are issued physically and placed on the vehicle’s windscreen if a stay is overstayed.

It is thought to be coincidence that the scam message arrived around the same time the motorist was parking in Topsham.

Drivers are being reminded to never click payment links in unsolicited messages and to only trust official correspondence. Further guidance on parking scam texts and how to report them is available via the Government website.