Bexhill residents warning over parking penalty ‘scam’

Kay Beckley said many residents in the town were receiving emails about parking fines in the Bexhill area.

She added that she received two separate emails earlier this week, telling her to pay a fine after parking a ‘vehicle on a road in the charging area which a charging scheme applies without payment of the appropriate charge.”

One asked her to pay £13.24 and the other demanding a payment of £23.24.

Both emails had a Home Office logo on them, as well as an 0343 number which claims is ‘temporarily unavailable’.

Kay said she contacted the county council, which advised her it was a scam.

A county council spokesman said: “East Sussex County Council took over responsibility for parking enforcement at the end of September.

“A fixed penalty notice would be attached to the windscreen of any vehicle contravening restrictions and any further communication not relating to appeals would be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle using information kept by the DVLA.

“Residents receiving suspicious emails about penalty charges should report them directly to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service by calling 0808 223 1133.

“Anyone with concerns can contact the parking team by emailing [email protected].

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.