Did you get a text saying it’s from the City of Houston about an unpaid parking ticket? Be careful—it’s a scam! These messages look official and urgent, but they’re designed to trick you into giving away your personal and financial information. The text might say something like:
“This is a notice from the City of Houston. Your vehicle has an unpaid parking invoice of $435. To avoid a late fee of $35, please settle your balance promptly.”
It then gives a link to a website called Parkinghtx.com, asking you to pay the fine. But this website is fake and only exists to steal your sensitive information.
What Is Parkinghtx.com?
Parkinghtx.com is a fake website created by scammers to fool people. It looks like a real payment site, but its purpose is to steal your credit card info, address, and other details.
Scammers use fear and urgency to make you act quickly without double-checking if the message is real.
Many people fall for this scam because the amount, $435, doesn’t seem too big. They think it might be a mistake and pay quickly to avoid more fees. But this is exactly what the scammers want.
The truth is, the City of Houston doesn’t send parking ticket notices through text messages. They also don’t use third-party websites like Parkinghtx.com for payments.
Real notices from the City include official documents and only direct you to secure government websites.
Our Opinion
This scam shows how criminals use technology to trick people. The fake text messages look convincing and sound like real government notices.
Scammers have spread this scam to other cities, like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.
If you fall for it, the consequences can be serious. Scammers might steal your identity or drain your bank account.
Once you enter your credit card info on their website, they can make charges without your permission or sell your details online.
This scam works because it creates panic. The text says you’ll face more fees if you don’t pay fast, so people act without thinking.
It targets those who don’t know how parking tickets are handled by the government.
This scam also highlights how easy it is for criminals to set up fake websites and send mass texts.
While authorities are working to stop these scams, it’s up to individuals to recognize and avoid them.
Stay alert. If you get a text like this, delete it right away and report it to your local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Remember, real government agencies won’t ask for payment through text messages or unverified websites.
What Should You Do If You Get Scammed?
If you’ve already fallen for this scam, take action immediately to reduce the damage:
- Tell Your Bank: Contact your bank or credit card company and report the scam. They may help block your account or reverse any charges.
- Watch Your Accounts: Keep checking your bank accounts for strange activity. Scammers often test small transactions before taking out more money.
- File a Report: Let the FTC and your local police know about the scam. Your report can help them stop the criminals.
- Update Your Passwords: If you entered any passwords on the fake site, change them right away. Also, update any similar passwords on other accounts.
- Stay Informed: Learn about common scams and warn your friends and family so they don’t get tricked.
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