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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

SMS-Based Parking Ticket Scams Are Targeting US Residents

SMS-Based Parking Ticket Scams Are Targeting US Residents
Anka Markovic Borak First published on 12th March 2025 Writer and Quality Assessor

A growing phishing scam is tricking US residents into paying fake parking fines. Since December 2024, scammers have been sending text messages stating that recipients have unpaid parking violations and face a $35 daily penalty unless they settle immediately.

The scam is widespread, with officials from cities like Boston, San Francisco, Detroit, Houston, and Denver issuing warnings. Victims receive a message impersonating the local parking violations department, urging them to click a link to pay the supposed fine.

In an effort to combat phishing scams, Apple launched a security feature in 2024 designed to disable links in text messages from unknown senders and suspicious domains. However, scammers exploit a loophole in this safeguard by using an open redirect on Google.com, a trusted domain, allowing their deceptive links to appear legitimate and avoid detection.

Clicking the link directs users to a fraudulent website crafted to mimic an official city parking authority. In New York, for instance, the fake site appears as "NYC Department of Finance: Parking and Camera Violations."

On the phishing site, victims are prompted to enter their name and zip code. No matter what information is provided, the site claims an outstanding balance and instructs users to proceed with payment. The amount varies, but scammers frequently demand small sums like $4.60 to make the request seem believable.

A common giveaway that the user is dealing with a scam is the incorrect placement of the dollar sign (e.g., “4.60$”), a formatting error uncommon in the US. This suggests the scam originates from outside the country.

Clicking "Proceed Now" leads to a page where users must enter personal information, including their full name, address, phone number, email, and credit card details. Scammers then use this data for identity theft, financial fraud, and further phishing attempts. Stolen information is often sold to other cybercriminals, exposing victims to additional scams.

Authorities urge residents to be cautious of unsolicited messages claiming unpaid fines. If you receive a suspicious text from an unknown sender demanding payment, do not click any links. Instead, block and report the number. To verify a parking violation, visit the official city website instead of clicking on unsolicited messages.

About the Author

Anka Markovic-Borak is a writer and quality assessor at vpnMentor, who leverages her expertise to write insightful articles on cybersecurity, driven by her passion for protecting online privacy. She also ensures articles written by others are reaching vpnMentor's high standards.

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