Warning after drivers hit with bogus parking tickets
PEOPLE are leaving bogus £70 parking tickets on vehicles in a South Wales town.
Council officials believe the realisticlooking tickets in Bridgend could have been left by someone trying to prevent motorists from parking outside or near their home.
The notices, which appear at first glance to be from the council, were placed on people’s cars at Green Street near the town centre, which isn’t a residents-only street for parking.
The notices have caused such a problem in the area that the council has begun an investigation over where they came from.
Initially the notices look realistic, on headed paper and purported to be from the council.
But on closer inspection the letters are littered with spelling errors.
“Often fake notices contain spelling mistakes and may not include information such as the specific charge for example,” a council statement reads.
“Whether the fake ticket has been created to prevent people from using a particular parking space or used as a practical joke it could still be construed as attempted fraud and could have very serious consequences.”
The council has asked anyone who receives a notice they think could be fake to contact them.
The fake notice states: “The warning serves as an official notice regarding the break of parking regulations. Please take immediate action to familiarize [sic] yourself with and adhere to the parking regulations within our community.”
The notice then claims immediate action is required, asking the motorist to “refrain from parking in residentonly areas without the appropriate authorization [sic]”.
It adds: “Failure to comply with parking regulations may result in fines up to £70 or further enforcement action.”
South Wales Police has been informed and has logged the reports and informed its neighbourhood policing team so they can monitor potential further incidents.
People concerned they have been targeted should contact fraud@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 643 376.