In September 2024, scammers sent fake texts pretending to be from the EWHC and the DVSA. These messages claimed people had unpaid parking fines and faced legal action if they didn’t pay immediately. The messages aimed to trick people into clicking suspicious links and sharing personal information. Let’s learn about EWHC Notice Scam.
Description
Stay safe from fake parking fine texts and EWHC Notice Scam threatening driving bans and court action.
Key Facts
- The DVSA and fake EWHC parking fines scam text are easy to spot.
- It has grammar and spelling mistakes like “parcking” or “copperation.”
- It warns about unpaid parking fines and threatens court action.
- It also asks you to click on a suspicious link and enter your license plate, which a real agency would never do.
Uncovering EWHC Notice Scam
Key Details About EWHC and DVSA Notice Scam
In September 2024, a scam targeted people in the UK by sending fake text messages from both the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the England and Wales High Court (EWHC). The messages falsely claimed that recipients owed parking penalty charges and threatened legal action if they didn’t pay immediately. These texts directed people to enter their license plate number and pay through a link, which was fake.
Fake Parking Penalty Scam and Fear
The text messages used fear tactics, warning that if the fines weren’t paid by a certain date, the recipient might be banned from driving, forced to pay more, or taken to court. For instance, one of the messages stated, “You have a parking penalty charge due on 2024/9/30. If you do not pay on time, your car may be banned from driving, or you could be taken to court.” Another message, sent as a follow-up reminder, threatened the same consequences if payment wasn’t made.
Spot the EWHC scam messages Errors
Each scam text had noticeable spelling and grammar mistakes. Words like “parcking” instead of “parking” and “copperation” instead of “cooperation” were common errors. The scammers even sent multiple reminders, further pressuring victims. One message said, “Today is the last day to pay. If you don’t, we will ban your car from driving on the road and send your case to court.” Another fake notice, this time from the EWHC, falsely claimed that DVSA had forwarded the case to them for prosecution.
EWHC Doesn’t Send Parking Fines
These scam messages claimed to be from government agencies, but DVSA made it clear they do not issue or handle parking fines. Reporting EWHC scam to the National Cyber Security Centre helps prevent more people from falling victim. Anyone receiving such messages should not click the link or share their details.
Cybercriminal Tricks
This scam, published on 23 September 2024 and last updated on 27 September 2024, shows how cybercriminals are using fake texts to trick people into paying non-existent fines.
EWHC Notice Scam Final Verdict
You don’t need to contact DVSA(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dvsa-issues-warning-about-parking-fine-scam-text-messages#:~:text=Another%20scam%20message%20says%3A,charge%20for%20a%20long%20time.) if you received the scam text. However, if you shared personal information by mistake, act quickly to protect yourself. If you lost money or got hacked, report the EWHC fake notice to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) or contact Police Scotland by calling 101.
