GARDAI have issued a warning to drivers over fraudulent parking tickets after “convincing fakes” were placed on cars in a busy Irish seaside town.
The force has launched an investigation into the bogus slips – but would you be able to spot the difference if a fake was popped on your windscreen?
The fake ‘Fixed Charge Offence’ pictured is just one of many that was left on cars in Dún Laoghaire last week.
These tickets are very plausible copies of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council parking fines.
The QR code at the bottom also links to a “convincing mirror” of the local authority’s fines payment site.
It notes the date and time that the parking ticket was allegedly placed on the vehicle and gives the driver a number that they can call to pay the fee.
Both the phone number and the website listed on the ticket are fake.
The bogus ticket claims that the total amount the driver must pay for “illegal parking” is €40, but it warns that those who do not cough up the money within 28 days must pay a penalty fee of €60.
Dublin City Council confirmed that it has been made aware of the scam and it has reported the matter to gardai.
A DCC spokesperson said: “The fraudulent fine tickets have an incorrect phone number and website. They also have a QR code that launches to a fraudulent website.
“Dublin City Council is advising that motorists should under no circumstances attempt to pay for parking using QR codes in the Dublin City Council area.“
Gardai said “many cars” were targeted by the fake tickets and confirmed that an investigation has been launched to trace the payments to the fraudulent website.
A spokesperson said: “We are currently investigating the matter to identify who placed these fake tickets, and to trace the payments made to this fake fine payment site.
“If you have any doubts or suspicions about a ticket placed on your car, please contact us or the local authority to verify it.
“We ask that you contact us if you have any information that could assist with our investigation into these fake tickets: Dún Laoghaire Garda Station at (01) 666 5000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”
HOW DO I SPOT FAKE FINE?
If you are unsure whether the fine you have recieved is fake or real, you can contact Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Parking Services on 01 5425660 and press four to speak to an operator.
You should never use a QR code to pay for a Fixed Charge Notice.
A real notice will instead have the option to make a payment using the following information:
- By telephone – 01 5425660 and press 1.
- Pay online @ www.dlrps.ie
- By cheque or Postal Order – payable to: Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council PO Box 9965, Dublin 2.
Drivers can also spot a fake ticket by looking at the back of it.
The back of the fraudulent ticket that was placed on cars in Dún Laoghaire last week is blank.
However, genuine tickets have text on the terms and conditions on the back of the notice.
Dublin City Council said it will continue to issue genuine Fixed Charge Notices to offending vehicles through DLRPS Parking Wardens.
However, drivers have been urged to take note of the signs of the fake ticket and only pay the fine through the official channels above.
