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.
⚠️We’re aware of people still receiving text messages on parking fine claiming to be from DVSA.
This is a scam. Find out what to do if you received this text message at 👇 https://t.co/mKShfEw5Oc
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)
News
Manchester United’s statement in full as Michael Carrick is sacked as manager
Emily Sergeant
Manchester United has now released a formal statement following the news that Michael Carrick has been sacked with immediate effect.
Carrick – who initially played for Manchester United as a midfielder between 2006 and 2018 – was first appointed as a caretaker manager in 2021, before he went on to become the interim manager and then men’s first team head coach earlier this year.
Unfortunately though, United have struggled to find form this season – with the team winning only three of their first 15 games across all competitions.
The club’s statement reads in full: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach.
“Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.
“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.
“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.
“The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.”
Featured Image – Sky Sports (via YouTube – screenshot)
News
‘First-of-its-kind’ reward offered to help find Salford man who went missing 10 years ago
Emily Sergeant
A first-of-its-kind reward is being offered for information on the whereabouts of a Salford man who went missing 10 years ago.
Michael Martin, from Salford – who was 25 when he disappeared – was first reported missing on Monday 8 August 2016 and was last seen at a petrol station on Bolton Road in Kearsley at 7:30am on Sunday 7 August 2016, but since then, there have been no further reported sightings him.
Following immediate enquiries, detectives launched a murder investigation the following week, and the investigation then became what is known as a ‘no-body murder’.
Over the past decade, detectives have been working to try and bring Michael’s body back to his family so they can lay him to rest.
But now, a first-of-its-kind reward of £50,000 is being offered for any information.
Micheal Martin went missing in 2016 / Credit: GMP (Family Handout)
“The not-knowing is gut wrenching every day,” Micheal’s father, Greg Martin, said as he appealed to the public. “We know he’s dead but it’s just not knowing where he was, where he is and what happened to him. It’d give the family some closure – a form of sort of peace.
“My message to the people is to do the right thing. Tell someone or indirectly let the police know what happened to Michael so we can get some peace of mind and closure.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, added: “We are appealing directly to help his family lay their loving son to rest. Michael’s family have not been able to bury their son to bring an element of closure to this heartbreaking tragedy.
“The reward we are offering has never been offered before and that is how much we want to bring Michael home. His family deserve to bring their boy home.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP’s Major Incident Team via the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal here, or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
26th September 2024 
