Don’t fall for the fake parking ticket scam sweeping the North

Similar cases have been reported in cities across the U.S. and Canada, where scammers are using fake websites to steal sensitive information.

A clever new phishing scam is making its way around North American cities, using fake parking tickets to trick unsuspecting drivers into handing over their bank details. It’s a new tactic, even for sleazy characters.

These fake tickets are stuffed under the windshield wipers of parked vehicles and look shockingly realistic, making it easy for car owners to fall into the trap. One fake ticket was discovered in Calgary, Canada, and the city’s parking management department uploaded it to X to warn the public.

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The fake ticket features a Calgary parking logo, the date of the alleged parking violation and the amount of the fine. At first glance, the content seems convincing, but a closer look reveals the URL is “calgaryparkplus.com,” which is subtly but critically different from the official website “calgaryparking.com/tickets” and “parkingtickets.calgaryparking.com.”

By entering personal banking information on a fictitious website, drivers are unknowingly handing over their details to scammers who then steal their money. Calgary Parking urges customers to destroy fake tickets immediately and not follow the instructions on them.

According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, fake parking ticket scams have been reported across the United States. The national nonprofit admits that the tickets look so realistic that scammers buy ticket envelopes and handheld printers online. Some tickets even come with QR codes to make it harder for victims to spot the fraudulent URL.

Experts urge drivers to check the wording on the ticket carefully for signs of fraud, rather than relying on the website printed on the ticket. A better approach is to look up your license plate directly on the official website of your local parking authority. This ensures that any parking ticket you have is legitimate before you potentially share sensitive information online.