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DVSA warns of scam parking fine text messages that threaten to ‘ban you from driving’

Be vigilant and don't get caught out.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 26th September 2024

Motorists are being warned of scam parking fine text messages that threaten to ban you from driving if you don’t pay.

Not long after it was revealed that Manchester has topped the list of UK places where motorists are most likely to get a parking fine, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is now warning of a fake text messages currently circulating nationwide that threaten recipients with a series of frightening measures if they don’t pay.

The scam messages in question warn people that they have a ‘parking penalty charge’, and that if they do not pay on time, they might have to pay more or be taken to court.

It even threatens to ban people from driving if they don’t fork out the fine money.

The initial text message sent out by the scammers pretending to be the DVSA reads: “Dvsa notice for you: You have a parking penalty charge due on 2024/9/30. If you do not pay your fine on time, your car may be banned from driving, you might haeve to pay more, or you could be taken to court.

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“Please enter your license plate in the link after reading the information, Check and pay parcking penatly charge. Thank you again for your copperation. Dvsa.”

Recipients of the texts have noted that there are several spelling mistakes included in the copy, including ‘haeve’, ‘parcking’, and ‘copperation’, all of which indicate that the message isn’t from a genuine Government source.

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The DVSA is warning of scam parking fine text messages that threaten to ‘ban you from driving’ / Credit: PublicDomainPictures | IPTC (Ronald Hudson)

Follow-up reminder scam messages have also been sent to some phones as well, which claim: “Today is the last day to pay your ticket due to your long term delinquency” and “if you do not pay your ticket on time, you may be required to pay more in the future and we reserve the right to prosecute you”.

Another follow-up message also threatens to “ban your car from driving on the road starting tomorrow” and fake notification that authorities will “transfer your parking ticket to the court”.

The DVSA wants motorists to know it does not issue or deal with parking fines.

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If you’ve received one of these scam text messages, you are encouraged to report it to the National Cyber Security Centre here, and if you think you’ve been tricked into sharing personal information with a scammer, don’t worry, as you can take immediate steps to protect yourself.

Find out what to do if you think you’ve been scammed here.

Featured Image – Samuel Regan-Asante (via Unsplash)

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Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi again this winter

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need again this winter.

After tens of thousands of local residents visited the “stigma-free safe spaces” to escape and take refuge from the cold back in both 2022 and 2023, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme again this year during the chillier months.

22 libraries across Manchester are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.

Designed to “provide support to people who need it” over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.

Manchester’s libraries are becoming ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi this winter / Credit: Flickr | Geograph

Free hot drinks, Wi-Fi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.

There will be age-friendly spaces to connect with others, story times once a week at 11am for children under five, and even weekly digital drop-ins too.

Manchester Central Library, Miles Platting Community Library, Hulme High Street Library, Beswick Library, Longsight Library, and Abraham Moss Library are just some of the libraries taking part this winter.

All 22 libraries will be free to enter, and the Council says people can stay in them “for as long as you like”.

“Heading towards winter, we are very much aware that the cost of living crisis still continues to affect many families across Manchester,” explained Councillor Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.

“This is why, more so than ever, we as a Council continue to do our utmost to support people who may be struggling.

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“Our participation in the Warm Welcome Spaces programme, combined with our Cost of Living support package shows we are committed entirely to helping any many people as possible during this difficult period.”

Find your local free ‘Warm Welcome Space’ in Manchester here.

Featured Image – RawPixel

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Manchester’s 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness returns with its biggest venue host yet for 2024

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Manchester 24 Hour Charity Run Against Homelessness 2024

November is well underway which means that not only have the likes of the annual Christmas Markets begun but Manchester is once again ramping up for the latest edition of The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness.

Although the holiday season is a jolly one for many, we’re always reminded that for lots of those less fortunate, the colder months signal an even more difficult time for lots of people all over Greater Manchester, with the region still suffering with the third highest rate of homelessness in the UK.

That being said, each year volunteers from founding organisation, Run Wild MCR (the University of Manchester’s long-standing running society), team up with the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to help put in the hard yards on their behalf and raise as much money as possible.

Marking the sixth year of the heartwarming and vital fundraising event, the 2024 edition of The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness is hoping to be the most impactful yet, landing even more support from local clubs and businesses than ever, as well as their biggest host venue yet.

For anyone still unaware of the event, the annual 24-hour relay run sees thousands of runners turn up from all over the 10 boroughs to participate in 5km laps around the city centre to witness the effects of homelessness first-hand.

Those lacing up their trainers – be they from local clubs like Manchester Road Runners, charitable organisation, Northern business or just a Manc who fancies doing their bit for a good cause – can do as little or as few laps as they like, as well as contribute to the fundraising with donations on the night.

Now with national vehicle marketplace AutoTrader named as the principal sponsor for this year’s run and the Together Co. social charity pledging to match public donations up to £20,000, The Manchester 24 Hour Homeless Run is hoping to achieve its biggest goal to date.

There have already been some serious records broken in past iterations, with multiple runners even going for upwards of 100k in total distance covered and staying overnight in sleeping bags to get their laps done over the 24 hours.

Having made upwards of £30,000 since it started, amassing more than £25,000 during its fifth anniversary in 2023, and raising over £1,400 with its first spin-off event in Birmingham earlier this month, this is set to be a hugely impactful year for the team and Manchester’s ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme.

The growth of the event speaks for itself, with Mayor Andy Burnham now a regular attendee on behalf of his namesake charity, an increase in clubs, influencers and national coverage, not to mention the event landing Freight Island as the 2024 host venue.

You can see a quick run-through of the city centre route here:

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Having sent a huge message to the previous government regarding comments about the homeless community and directly contributing to approximately 842 rough sleepers being given a bed in Manchester during last year’s run, they’ve done incredible work in just a few short years.

With the profile of the ever-important event bigger than ever, as it looks to continue expanding into different cities – especially following the success of its debut Brummy run – we’re expecting big things and even more wholesome vibes as the crowds gather at the now well-and-truly festive Freight Island.

Members of The Manc will also be taking part and putting in as many miles as we can, so come and say hello if you can or, even better, come join the countless other volunteers going for a jog from 12pm on Wednesday, 13 November until noon the next day.

More importantly, please give even a little bit to this crucial cause HERE if you can; the charity livestream will also be active on our Facebook page throughout the duration and QR codes for direct donations will be available at Freight Island on the night.

You can see a full list of the organisations taking part down below. This really is a time when Manchester shows its best face and we can all be very proud that we’re putting in the graft to combat a global crisis.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied

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