Glasgow City Council has issued a serious warning to residents after a new parking fine scam began circulating. This scam comes just days after the council experienced a major cyber attack that affected several of its services. The scam involves fake text messages that appear to be from the council, asking people to pay a parking fine.
The scam messages include a link that takes users to a fake payment page. These texts are designed to look official, but they are completely fraudulent. People are being tricked into thinking they owe money for a parking violation they never actually received.
The council has made it clear that it does not contact people through text messages, emails, or phone calls to request payments or bank details. The only way to pay an actual parking fine is by using the number printed on an official Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), which is usually left on your vehicle.
This warning follows a cyber incident that took place on June 19, when the council’s ICT provider had to shut down several key systems to investigate the attack and protect against further damage. As a result, some online services, including parking payment portals and planning applications, were taken offline.
Although the council confirmed that no financial systems were compromised in the cyber attack, the disruption opened up an opportunity for scammers to take advantage of the situation. The timing of this scam suggests that the criminals may be trying to exploit the confusion caused by the cyber incident.
Residents who receive any suspicious message about a parking fine are being urged not to click on any links and not to enter any personal or banking details. If you’re unsure about whether a fine is real, you should check the original PCN or visit the official council website for accurate information.
Glasgow City Council is also asking residents to spread the word about this scam to help protect others, especially older people or those who may not be familiar with online fraud. They’ve advised everyone to be extra cautious while the investigation and system recovery are still ongoing.
The council is working closely with cybersecurity experts and government agencies to fully understand the attack and bring systems safely back online. Updates are being shared with the public as more information becomes available.
Police Scotland has also stepped in, urging anyone who receives one of these scam messages to report it immediately. People can contact Police Scotland by dialling 101 or call the national Cyber Incident Helpline at 0800 1670 623.
This situation is a reminder of how quickly scammers can act when there’s a security issue. Even when financial data hasn’t been stolen, the fear and uncertainty around an event like a cyber attack can create the perfect environment for fraudsters to strike.
The most important message from the council is to stay alert and never trust unexpected messages that ask you to pay money or give out personal information. Always verify directly with the proper sources, and avoid clicking on links that you didn’t expect to receive.
Glasgow City Council has promised to continue updating the public and has reminded residents that they will never request payment or bank information by text, call, or email. If something feels suspicious, it probably is.
Stay alert, and keep your security measures updated!
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