MOTORISTS are being urged to be vigilant when using parking payment websites to avoid becoming a victim of a scam.

Nationally there have been reports of fake parking payment websites coming up on search engines and scammers placing fake stickers on or near pay and display machines giving false contact details.

In East Sussex, where parking payment is managed by RingGo, incidents of motorists accessing fake websites have been reported – although, fortunately, no money has been lost in these incidents.

Cllr Claire Dowling, the county council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “Whilst there have been very few reported incidents in East Sussex, we are urging anyone paying for parking online to double check that the information they have is genuine.

“Motorists can avoid becoming a victim of a scam by only using apps downloaded from an app store, or phone numbers on county council signage or pay and display machines.”

East Sussex County Council and RingGo are working to remove fake sites as soon as they are discovered, and enforcement teams are regularly checking signs and machines for false information.

More information about how motorists can avoid becoming a victim of a parking payment scam can be found at https://ringgo.co.uk/please-be-mindful-of-scams-involving-false-qr-codes/ 

Reports of suspected fraudulent websites or stickers near pay and display parking spots, should be reported to the parking enforcement team on 01273 335500, option 1.

Ends.