Southern California drivers are being targeted by new scams involving fake parking tickets and toll bills. The Alhambra Police Department has reported several cases of scammers issuing fake parking tickets and collecting fines by impersonating transportation department officials.
On July 30, the Alhambra Police Department warned about scammers using fake parking tickets that include QR codes. These tickets, which appear official with the name “City of Alhambra Parking Enforcement” and a ticket number, have been reported by multiple residents. One ticket, for instance, cited a $53 fine for a street-sweeping violation involving a Lexus.
The tickets direct recipients to pay the fine online or by scanning a QR code, which leads to fraudulent websites or downloads malware to steal personal information. Alhambra police advised, “Do not scan the QR code if you receive a similar ticket and report it to the Alhambra Police Department Traffic Division at 626-570-5119.”
These fake tickets are designed to look legitimate, detailing the type of vehicle, violation reason, and fine amount, easily tricking drivers into paying without questioning their authenticity. Financially stressed drivers, already pressured by confusing ticketing standards and hefty fines, are particularly vulnerable.
“I recently received a ticket for not paying for a paid parking spot in Pasadena,” said Jiyoung Kim, a Los Angeles resident. “I was surprised that the person in front of me didn’t get a ticket, but I didn’t want to pay the late fee, so I paid it right away.”
Parking fines in Los Angeles are substantial, which scammers exploit. For example, metered parking fines are $63, illegal parking in a permit zone is $65, parking near an emergency vehicle is $63, parking in a no-parking alley is $68, street sweeping violation fines are $73, red zone parking is $93, parking in a bus lane is $163, and handicap parking is $363. Receiving a fine higher than these amounts should raise suspicion.
Scammers use handheld printers to create realistic-looking tickets, which they print and place on vehicles. These printers can be purchased for less than $300, contributing to the spread of this crime. To verify a parking ticket’s authenticity, drivers should check the ticket number on their local DMV’s official website, which ends with “.gov.”
In addition to fake parking tickets, fraudulent toll bills are also on the rise, particularly in the Bay Area. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 2,000 complaints about fraudulent road tolling between early March and April 12.
A recent report by the San Francisco Chronicle highlighted one such scam involving fake toll bills labeled “California Tolls Services.” These bills urge recipients to “Settle your balance of $6.49 to avoid a $64.90 surcharge” and provide a link to pay the toll. Clicking on options such as “Pay Toll,” “Manage Account Balance,” or “File a Dispute” leads to fraudulent websites.
BY SUAH JANG, HOONSIK WOO [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
