A WARNING has gone out to people in York and North Yorkshire about a scam doing the rounds.

The county’s police force say the scam involves bogus parking fines.

A force spokesman said: “Here at North Yorkshire Police we've received six reports in the last three days of residents getting a text telling them to pay a parking fine. The message includes a link to pay, and suggests the fine will increase if not paid within 28 days.

“The messages come from mobile numbers starting 07, and the link takes the user to a website that looks like an official Government one.

“One example included the words “you’re in trouble with your local council” – a turn of phrase which made the recipient suspect it wasn’t genuine. Another example referred to a location where the recipient definitely hadn’t been.

“The good news is none of the six people who reported it to us handed over any money. But others out there may not have been so vigilant.

“So please, share this warning with friends and family. If you receive an unexpected message with a link, be extremely cautious – think carefully before you do anything, and delete it if you’re not 100 per cent certain it’s legitimate.”