Is the Parking Ticket Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a phishing scam.

What should I do if I received the Parking Ticket Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Parking Ticket Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Parking Ticket Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Parking Ticket Scam: Is It a Scam?

Medium Prevalence Type: Phishing

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Scammers place fake parking tickets on windshields or send text messages about supposed parking violations, directing victims to pay fines through QR codes or links that lead to phishing payment pages.

How This Scam Works

A fake parking ticket is placed on your windshield that looks convincingly official, complete with a city logo, violation number, and a QR code to pay online. When you scan the QR code, you are taken to a fake payment site that collects your credit card information. Text-based versions send a message claiming you have an unpaid parking fine and provide a link to pay. The amounts are small enough ($25 to $75) that people pay without questioning. Real parking authorities send official notices by mail and accept payment through their verified portals.

Red Flags to Watch For

QR code on a parking ticket (many cities do not use QR codes)
Payment site URL does not match your city's official domain
Ticket looks slightly different from real parking violations
Text messages about parking violations from unknown numbers
No matching record when you check the citation number on your city's official site

Example Scam Messages

Fake ticket on windshield: 'CITY PARKING VIOLATION - Citation #PV-2026-48291 - Fine: $65.00 - Scan QR code to pay online or mail payment to [fake address]. If not paid within 10 days, fine increases to $125.00.' --- Text: 'City Parking Authority: You have an unpaid parking citation #CT-8291. Pay $45.00 now to avoid additional penalties: cityparking-pay.com/fine' --- Text: 'NOTICE: Parking violation recorded for your vehicle. Amount due: $55. Pay within 5 days: parking-citations-pay.com/resolve'

What to Do If You Received This

Do not scan QR codes on parking tickets
Look up your city's parking authority website directly
Search the citation number on the official city website
Call your city's parking authority to verify the ticket
Compare the ticket to known real violations from your city

What to Do If You Fell For It

Contact your bank to report the compromised card
Request a replacement card
Monitor your statements for unauthorized charges
Report the fake ticket to your city's parking authority

How to Report This Scam

Report to your city's parking authority
Report to local police (physical fake tickets)
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)

Last updated: February 10, 2026