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Suffolk Trading Standards is alerting Ipswich residents to a new scam involving fake parking fine text messages purporting to be from the local council. Officials are urging people not to click any links in these messages.
The big picture: Suffolk Trading Standards has received multiple reports of text messages claiming to be from the "local council" demanding payment for parking fines. These messages are fraudulent and lead to a convincing fake government website that attempts to steal personal data.
Why it matters: This scam could trick residents into sharing sensitive personal and financial information with criminals.
How it works:
The scam texts contain a link to a counterfeit government website
The fake site uses official logos, branding and fonts to appear legitimate
It requests personal details like name, address, and payment information
What to do: Officials advise residents to:
Never click links in unexpected text messages about fines
Forward suspicious texts to 7726 to report them (it's free)
Take screenshots and email them to report@phishing.gov.uk
The bottom line: If you receive an unexpected text about a parking fine, do not click any links or provide information. Report it to help protect others from falling victim to this scam.
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