Have you checked your phone lately? You might find a text claiming you have an unpaid parking ticket. Don’t panic. It’s probably fake. These scam texts are hitting phones nationwide, from New York City to San Diego and everywhere in between.
The messages look official. They mention “PCN” codes and use urgent language. “Pay now or face consequences!” Yeah, right. These scammers aren’t exactly subtle. They’ve targeted Charlotte, Houston, Milwaukee, and Salt Lake City. Even smaller cities like Annapolis and Greenwich aren’t safe. Nobody’s immune.
These fraudsters are clever, though. They steal city logos and create official-looking websites. They threaten additional fines, court appearances, even legal action. All to scare you into clicking their sketchy links. Classic intimidation tactics.
The red flags are obvious if you know what to look for. Unexpected messages about violations you don’t remember. Super urgent deadlines. Links that don’t go to .gov websites. And that vague feeling something’s just… off. Trust your gut.
Cities are fighting back. Official warnings have been issued across the country. Law enforcement is investigating. Municipal websites now feature scam alerts. But the criminals adapt quickly, creating new fraudulent domains as fast as others get shut down.
This scam has been going strong since December 2024. What’s weird? They target everyone – even people who don’t own cars. Smart, in a devious way. Cast a wide net, catch more fish.
So what happens if you get one? Simple. Don’t click anything. Check directly with parking authorities if you’re worried. The City of San Diego recommends using their official website at sandiego.gov/parking/citations to verify any legitimate parking tickets. Remember that official citations never come through text messages. Their actual websites will have legitimate citation info. The real parking authorities don’t typically text you out of the blue demanding money.
The scammers want your personal information and your cash. They’ll take either. Or both. This isn’t just annoying – it’s potentially devastating for victims who fall for it. Financial theft, identity theft. Not how anyone plans to spend their week.
