**Parking Fine Scam Messages**
Council is aware of current scam text messaging alerting people to pay PCNs within 28 days or face rising costs, court or prosecution. If you think you have received one of these messages, here’s what to do:
How can I tell a scam from a genuine text message?
- Don’t panic!
- It’s natural to think you have to reply straightaway, but think about it first
- Take some time to look at the message closely
Be suspicious and look for signs this may be a scam:
- Unknown numbers
- Requests for payment or payment details
- ‘Urgent’ requests
- Carefully examine website links & check for any characters out of place
- Spelling or grammatical errors
Because of this legitimate companies are now not including links in their messages to their customers and fraudsters are finding a way around this.
- ‘Spoofing’ is where fraudsters use identity masking technology to change the name or number that is displayed as the sender. This can make it look like the text has come from your bank’s number or from a legitimate organisation in this case ‘GOV UK’
- If in doubt, contact the company or organisation you think sent the text and ask if it’s genuine. Look online for a number for them – don’t try to call the number the text came from.
- Some organisations and companies have information on their website about how they will contact customers or users.
What do I do if you have received this scam message?
- Do not reply. It informs the scammers your number is active and you could be bombarded with more scam messages.
- Do not click on any links, even if they look genuine. Clicking a link could result in malware being downloaded onto your phone that compromises your data.
- Do not share personal or banking information.
If you have replied to the text already, here’s what to do:
- If you’ve shared your banking details, you should contact your bank immediately.
- If you’ve shared your password, change the passwords on any of your accounts which use the same password.
- If you’ve lost money, tell your bank and report it as a crime to Action Fraud Website / 0300 123 2040
From 1st April 2024 NSL (Marston Holdings Ltd) will be responsible for processing PCN payments and challenges.
Payment Methods
For PCNs issued on or after 1st April 2024
- By Internet: Credit/Debit card payments may be made here
- By Telephone: Credit/Debit card payments may be made by calling - 03330 068 351. (if calling from outside UK, use +44 3330 068 351)
**By Post to:
Northen Ireland Consortium
PO Box 378
Sheffield
S98 1YU
** Enclose a crossed cheque or postal order (PO) made payable to NI Consortium. Write the notice number and Vehicle Registration No. on the back of the cheque or PO.
** The payment slip on the PCN notice needs to be completed and returned with payment.
DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE POST
Please see the back of your PCN ticket for full details.
HOW TO SUBMIT A CHALLENGE
- By Internet (Recommended): A challenge may be made against the issue of this notice here
- In Writing: A challenge may be made against the issue of a PCN notice to the address above.
Payment Methods
For PCNs issued on or before 31st March 2024
- By Internet: Credit/Debit card payments may be made here.
- By Telephone:
- Payments using a credit or debit card 0300 200 7895
- Enquiries within Northern Ireland 0300 200 7895
- If dialling from outside Northern Ireland, use 0300 200 7895
- By Email: [email protected]
- By post to:
Parking Enforcement Processing Unit
PO Box 134
Coleraine
BT52 9AF
United Kingdom
HOW TO SUBMIT A CHALLENGE
To challenge a PCN you have received on or before 31st March 2024 click here.