July 10, 2024
Thom Carroll/For PhillyVoice
Scammers claiming to be from the Philadelphia Parking Authority are texting people and asking them to pay unpaid tickets, the PPA warns. Outstanding tickets can be verified on the PPA's website.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority has issued a warning about a phishing scam that asks people to pay unpaid parking tickets.
Scammers claiming to be from the PPA have been sending people text messages suggesting they owe money for outstanding parking tickets, the PPA said. The scammers provide a link to make payments, but it takes people to a website that is not connected to the PPA.
The PPA advised people not to click on the link and to avoid responding to the messages. The PPA said it does not know how many people have received messages or whether any information has been stolen.
People who want to check if they have an outstanding ticket can go to the PPA's website and put in a ticket or license plate number. They also can call (888) 591-3636. Unpaid tickets can be paid online, through the mail, over the phone or in person at the PPA's office at 913 Filbert St.
#ConsumerFraudAlert: Malicious text messages falsely claim recipients owe outstanding parking tickets. Click below for more info.
— The PPA (@PhilaParking) July 9, 2024
➡️ https://t.co/Zhg1OUwM7Z pic.twitter.com/uKYReGA058
Since May, the PPA has been cracking down on illegal parking on sidewalks and in front of curb cuts, reportedly writing an additional 10,000 tickets compared to the same time period last year.
Earlier this week, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed legislation requiring the PPA to take photos of parking infractions before towing vehicles.
