Fake penalty charge notice texts closely mimic GOV.UK to harvest card details from UK drivers

What is this scam?

A new wave of smishing texts impersonating UK local councils and the DVLA has appeared in early October 2026, mimicking GOV.UK's fonts, layout, and government branding so closely that many recipients believe the message is genuine. Texts claim the recipient has an unpaid parking penalty charge notice (PCN) that will double in value or escalate to bailiff action unless paid within a short window via the supplied link. The fraudulent sites replicate official government design and are used to harvest full payment card details. Genuine UK penalty charge notices are always issued by post with a printed PCN reference number — councils and the DVLA never issue PCNs by text message with a payment link.

Example scam message

Red flags to look out for

• The message creates urgency — threatening a fine, missed delivery, or account closure.
• Links lead to unofficial domains that don't match the real company's website.
• You weren't expecting this message and can't verify the event it references.
• It asks you to confirm payment details or personal information via a link.
• The sender's number or email address doesn't match the company's official contact.

What to do if you receive this

1. Do not click links or call numbers provided in the message.
2. Contact the organisation directly using details from their official GOV.UK page.
3. Forward the message to 7726 or email report@phishing.gov.uk.
4. Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.