Phishing scam alert

The Highland Council 's Trading Standards team have been made aware of a phishing scam that may be targeting highland residents.

The scam takes the form of a text or email and claims it is from the HM Courts and Tribunals Service. It states that a Penalty Charge Notice infringement has occurred and is asking for payment.

Mark McGinty, Trading Standards Team Leader said:  “This is what we believe to be a Phishing Scam, that is a scam designed to trick the recipient of the text or email to respond and give personal or financial information that will be used to copy their identity and fraudulently take money from the person.

“The Penalty Charge Notice doesn’t give any details of the vehicle involved and it is the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service that would be sending such a notice not HM Courts and Tribunals Service, and in any case the notices are not served in this way.

“I would urge any member of the public who receives such a notice to ignore it and delete it from the device that received it.”

Any member of the public wishing advice on scams can visit the Highland Council Trading Standards Scams website at https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20000/trading_standards/900/covid-19_scams_advice_and_guidance/2

Consumers can also contact the Scottish Government's Consumer Advice provider https://consumeradvice.scot/ or if you feel you are a victim of a scam please contact Police Scotland on 101.