Redbridge Council has warned Blue Badge holders – people with disabilities who are entitled to free parking – not to be conned by people demanding payment in Redbridge car parks.
In a statement Redbridge said:
The Council believes that individuals may be posing as Parking Enforcement Officers in some of the borough’s car parks. These impostors falsely claim to be council employees and convince Blue Badge holders to hand over money for parking.
It’s important to remember that Blue Badge holders do not need to pay to park in Redbridge Council operated car parks. Unfortunately, recently fraudsters have persuaded people to enter their bank cards into out of service parking machine, only to be told the machine had swallowed their card and the only way to retrieve it was to enter their PIN.
During one of the recent incidents, a man had £250 debited from his bank account.
People should be extra vigilant if approached by someone who claims to be a Parking Enforcement Officer and offers help with card payments. Council Parking Enforcement Officers will be happy to show photographic ID to prove they are genuine and will never ask you for your pin number.
Please report any incidents of this nature via the Met Police, Action Fraud and Redbridge Council’s Corporate Fraud Team on 0800 633 5267.
My parents-in-law were scammed in Grove Park last year – guy hanging around in the rain offered to “help” them with the ticket machine, palmed their card and withdrew £500 from high street ATM. Clearly a well-rehearsed little routine. Be extra vigilant and offer to help get friends/relatives setup on the app (assuming they’re able to use it!).