Urgent warning as scammer posts FAKE £80 parking fine on couple’s car as they went for walk – but big clue gives it away
A COUPLE out on a walk in Berkshire returned to their car to find an £80 parking fine - but all isn't quite as it seems.
The pair, who parked their Mercedes at beauty spot Shepherd Meadows in Sandhurst, discovered a note from 'Apcoa' demanding cash on Thursday.
The fine marked the time the car had been seen and a badge number for the attendant who made the spot.
However, the couple simply photographed the document and ignored it - because it's a scam.
Despite its official-looking details, which include a website to make payment, the note had been handwritten in pen.
A photo of the baffling con was posted online to Facebook group I Love Sandhurst.
The poster said: "Be careful parking at Shepherd Meadows.
"My folks went for a walk and came back to this on their car.
"Clearly a scam, but don't get taken in by these d***s."
STEER CLEAR
The cheeky would-be fraudster had written that the car was parked in a "controlled entrance", adding: "You are therefore required to pay £80 within 28 days of this issue date."
Social media users urged the original poster to go to the police.
One said: "They're trying to defraud you."
Mocking the note, another said: "U owe us £80 4 parkin ere. Here ma bank deets. Fanks."
And a third said: "Now if they invested in a printer..."
One woman suggested the note could "well be valid."
However, the poster replied that the couple had parked in a bay - and said the web address isn't a secure site, a dead giveaway of a con.
WHAT THE PARK
Very specific rules and regulations exist to govern parking fines - and the Government is bringing in more for private car parks, which are notorious for their hefty demands.
Officials are poised to reduce the current cap on parking fines of £100 to £50.
It was revealed earlier this month that parking firms issued an astonishing 22,000 tickets a day - 15 every minute - in the first six months of the financial year alone.
That means they raked in £400million in just 26 weeks.
Ministers have pledged a crackdown on "cowboy firms".
They aim to introduce a code of practice for the private parking industry, which will include a single appeals service and a system of charges and penalties in line with council fines.
PAY & DISMAY
It could have a huge impact on some of the ruthless firms responsible for thousands of car parks at hospitals, shopping centres and train stations.
A Sun investigation last year found motorists could save thousands by simply appealing unfair parking fines - as around half of all claims are successful.
A driver handed a fine should check the company is accredited by the British Parking Association or the International Parking Community by checking the member lists on their websites.
If they're not, they won't be able to get your name and address from the DVLA.
Another tip is to write to whoever owns the site where you were fined - for example, a shopping centre or hospital - to state you're a genuine customer.
Many ParkingEye contracts include a "genuine customer exemption", which means the ticket could be cancelled.
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Then you should write to the parking company to appeal, including any evidence you have that it was wrongly issued.
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According to Citizens Advice, the notice to the vehicle's owner must be delivered within 14 days after the last day of parking. If it isn’t delivered to you in time, tell the parking company you don’t have to pay the charge.
Anyone unhappy with the response can appeal to independent arbitrators.
