We have recently seen a rise in the number of telephone calls and emails from local residents about email/text message scams regarding parking fines or universal credit accounts. Please see the information provided below about each, including what to do if you have been affected.

Parking Fine Scam

We’ve had a number of calls from people in the district to say they’ve received text messages or emails, asking for a payment of £20 for a parking fine via a link and threatening court action if unpaid. Rother District Council does not issue parking fines by text or email. Please ignore or delete these messages. More information is available on the Which article by clicking the button below

Universal Credit

We’ve been made aware by the Department for Work and Pensions that there is a fake Universal Credit App in circulation. The App asks for the claimant’s personal details. Please do not download and use this App  – customers should only ever use the official GOV.UK website to access their Universal Credit account. Residents are able to visit this by typing gov.uk in the address bar of their web browser or clicking the button below.

How to protect yourself

The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published some comprehensive guidance on how you can protect yourself from such scams, as well as how you can report these to your service providers. For further information, please visit their website by clicking the button below.

You can also report the scam to Action Fraud, the National Fraud & Cybercrime Reporting Centre by using the button below.

Published: 1st October 2024