People across Gedling borough have been receiving scam text messages ordering them to pay a parking fine.
The county council has issued a warning after reports of the fraud started flooding in.
The text claims the recipient has incurred a parking fine and directs them to follow a link for more information.
The link leads to a fake but convincing copy of the government website which asks the user to enter their vehicle registration number.
It then explains the vehicle has been issued a fine and names a local car park.
Experts believe the scammers are using the IP address of the users’ devices to find a nearby car park.
The recipient is then asked to enter their personal and financial information to pay the fine, which is usually £25.
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Please be aware of an ongoing national scam relating to parking fines that is currently in circulation.
“Nottinghamshire County Council will never contact you via text message in relation to a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
“If you have received a scam text message please ensure you forward it to the National Cyber Security Service on 7726.”
