Drivers are being warned about a new wave of fake text messages that appear to be from the parking payment app RingGo, demanding payment for alleged outstanding parking charges. The scam texts claim that a "routine review" or "billing review" has identified an unpaid amount, threatening further financial charges or administrative action if the recipient does not settle promptly. However, these messages are fraudulent, and clicking the provided link can lead to financial loss and identity theft.
How the scam works
The fraudulent texts, which have been seen by the Guardian, are designed to look like legitimate RingGo notifications. They include a link that appears to lead to the RingGo website but actually directs users to a counterfeit page that closely mimics the real site. According to Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, the fake site is so convincing that victims may unknowingly enter their username, password, or card details, which are then captured by criminals. "The link is key because it sends you to a counterfeit page that almost mirrors the real RingGo site. If you then put in your username, password or card details, it goes directly to the criminal gangs, who can drain accounts or sell on your personal information," Conway said.
At least two versions of the scam text are circulating, both with nearly identical language. One warns that a "billing review" has found a parking charge owed, while another mentions a "routine review" identifying an outstanding amount. The recipient is instructed to visit a link that starts with "ringgo" but is followed by a string of unrelated words. To activate the link, users are asked to reply "Y" to the text, or to copy and paste the link into a browser if it does not work.
Red flags and expert analysis
Security experts point out several red flags that mark these messages as scams. Some of the texts are signed off as "RingGo Customer Servicess," with a spelling error that is a common indicator of fraud. The web address also bears no resemblance to the real RingGo site, and the fact that the link may not work is another warning sign. Serpil Hall, a security expert from Datos Insights, explained that the scam is particularly targeted at iPhone users, as Apple's iMessage service disables links from unknown senders. "The moment someone replies, even with a single letter, iMessage reclassifies the sender as known, and the link becomes active. The scammers are not guessing at this – they know the mechanics and are engineering around it deliberately," she said.
Hall also noted that the choice of RingGo as the impersonated brand is not random. "Parking payment services are a well-worn target because the notification is plausible to almost any driver, the amounts involved are small enough not to trigger immediate scepticism, and there is a genuine sense of consequence attached to ignoring it," she added. The country code on the texts seen by the Guardian is Morocco, though Hall believes the criminals are likely not based there, as they often route messages through low-cost channels to avoid detection. Both messages also included a "report spam" button, indicating that Apple had already flagged them as possible fraud.
What to do if you receive such a text
A spokesperson for RingGo advised that anyone receiving such a message should not click on the link under any circumstances and should delete the message immediately. Customers can verify their parking history through the official RingGo app or website. If you receive one of these texts, you can report it to the National Cyber Security Centre by forwarding it to 7726. If you have already clicked on a link and entered financial details, contact your bank immediately and change your passwords, starting with your banking ones.
The scam is part of a broader trend of phishing attacks targeting users of popular services. Criminals rely on panic and fear of enforcement to trick people into acting hastily. By staying alert and verifying any unexpected payment requests through official channels, drivers can protect themselves from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
