Fake RingGo Texts Are Tricking Drivers Into Handing Over Bank Details
Scammers are sending fraudulent parking-fee demands that impersonate the RingGo app, banking on the fact that most drivers genuinely can't remember every parking session they've paid for.
Key points
- Criminals are sending fake text messages that impersonate RingGo, a real and widely used UK parking payment app.
- The texts claim the recipient owes unpaid parking fees and press them to click a link to a bogus website.
- The fake site is designed to steal bank card details or personal information.
- Experts warn that the scam works because parking app use is frequent, patchy, and easy to lose track of.
- No government enforcement body sends parking-fee demands by text message with a payment link.
A text arrives on your phone. It says you owe parking fees to RingGo, and there is a link to sort it out. RingGo is a genuine, widely used app that lets drivers pay for parking by phone. The message looks plausible. The problem: it was sent by criminals.
The Guardian first flagged warnings from fraud experts about this scam, which uses a tactic called smishing, where criminals send fake text messages designed to trick people into clicking links or handing over personal details. The name combines "SMS" (the technical term for a standard text message) and "phishing" (the broader practice of impersonating a trustworthy organisation to steal information).
Why does this scam work so well?
It works because parking apps genuinely are confusing. Many drivers use several different apps, depending on the car park. Sessions happen quickly, payments don't always go through cleanly, and keeping a mental record is hard. When a fee demand arrives, the natural reaction is doubt, not certainty.
The criminals are counting on that doubt. If even a fraction of recipients think "maybe I did forget to pay," the scam pays off.
The fake link leads to a website built to look like an official payment page. Entering your card details there hands them directly to the scammers. Some versions of the page may also ask for your name, address, or phone number, which can be used in follow-up fraud.
What should you do if you get one of these texts?
Delete it without clicking the link. Legitimate parking companies do not chase unpaid fees by sending a payment link in a text message. Neither does any council or enforcement authority.
If you want to check whether you genuinely owe anything, open the RingGo app directly on your phone or visit the real RingGo website by typing the address yourself. Do not copy or tap the address in the suspicious text.
Report the message to the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) by forwarding it to 7726, which spells "SPAM" on a phone keypad. This is a free service that helps authorities track and block fraudulent numbers.
If you already clicked the link and entered any details, contact your bank immediately. Most UK banks have a 24-hour fraud line. The faster you call, the better your chances of stopping any unauthorised payment.
Common questions
Can I tell a fake text from a real one just by looking at it?
Not always. Scammers can make a sender name appear as "RingGo" in your message thread. Look for urgency, a payment link, and a request for card details; real companies do not send those combinations by text.
Is my phone at risk just from opening the text?
Opening the text itself is generally safe. The risk comes from tapping the link. If you tapped the link but entered no information, change any passwords stored in your browser as a precaution and monitor your bank account for unusual activity.
