BBB Scam Alert: How to spot a parking ticket scam

Watch out for this new twist on an old scam. Scammers are using new technology to create fake parking tickets that look surprisingly official. It could be a scam if you receive a parking ticket and are confident that you parked legally. Read more or listen to Better Business Bureau Regional Director Pamela Hernandez below:

How the scam works

You park in a legal parking zone or pay to park on the street or in a garage. While you are away from your car, scammers use high-tech, hand-held printers to make a fake ticket and leave it on your car's windshield. This phony citation usually asks you to pay online or via PayPal. One recent case used a QR code to direct victims to a fake payment website. If you follow the instructions, you'll end up paying a fine you don't owe. Also, your personal information will now be in the hands of scammers. One parker reported the following experience to BBB: "I paid $15 to park in a garage and received a receipt for it, which I displayed on my dashboard. However, I then received a violation notice for $56 for the parking receipt not being visible on the dashboard." In other versions of this scam, you receive an email claiming you have a pending parking ticket. Scammers typically include official-looking logos and argue there will be dire consequences if you don't pay. Don't fall for it! If you click on links in the email, you can download malware onto your computer.

See BBB's 10 tips to avoid scams.

How to avoid parking ticket scams

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For more information 

Check out more BBB scam tips. If you've been the victim of a parking ticket scam, whether you lost money or not, report it at BBB Scam Tracker. Your report can help others learn about common scam tactics and avoid them. Subscribe to BBB's weekly Scam Alert emails.