Imagine getting a text out of the blue from ParkHouston, claiming you owe money for unpaid parking tickets and threatening late fees.
Sounds alarming, right? That’s exactly what the city says is happening to unsuspecting Houstonians, as a new scam targeting parking payments makes its rounds. Officials say these fraudulent texts link to fake websites or vendors that are in no way affiliated with the City of Houston.
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What you need to know
The City’s official parking authority, ParkHouston, does not send texts regarding unpaid parking invoices or fines. If you receive a text claiming to be from ParkHouston demanding payment, city officials say it’s a scam. The City advises you to delete the message immediately and block the sender.
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Delinquent collections: What’s legit?
ParkHouston does work with a collections vendor that may send text messages to customers with overdue citations. However, legitimate messages will clearly state that they are from a third-party vendor on behalf of the City of Houston. They will also offer an option to opt out of future texts or emails.
Stay alert and protect yourself
Officials advise Houstonians who receive suspicious texts to not click any links, and avoid providing any personal information. Report any fraudulent messages to the authorities and take steps to protect your information.
Stay vigilant and spread the word to help others avoid falling victim to this scam!