DRIVERS have been warned to look out for a scam by fraudsters who are ticketing cars by posing as Southend council officials.

False parking tickets and emails have been issued threatening court action and fines of up to £5,000 for bogus Penalty Charge Notices (PCN).

The tickets are being placed on vehicles, followed by the driver receiving an email from a fraudster’s email account at southendenforcement@contractor.net.

Tony Cox, Southend Council’s cabinet member for transport, said it was not clear how many people have been affected by the scam.

He said: “We don’t know whether it is one individual or something more highly organised.

“I have heard of an incident in the car park at Shoebury library off Delaware Road where someone was going around in the dead of night putting tickets on cars.

“He was actually caught on CCTV doing it.

“I believe he was dressed in a high vis jacket. It came to light because several teachers at the school got tickets and decided to check the CCTV.

"When they checked it they saw the man doing it."

Some drivers have reported receiving an email states that the fine is from “Southend Enforcement Team based at the Civic Centre.”

It gives the impression that it is an official PCN and payment must be made.

The email also states that if unpaid, drivers will have to go to Basildon County Court and could face a penalty of £5,000 or imprisonment.

But the information is false and is not a council communication.

Mr Cox said all communications will be on the council letterhead or from a council email address and will include the relevant PCN number and the vehicle’s registration number.

He said: “If anyone has any concerns that it might not be a genuine parking ticket they should contact the council.

"If they have received a PCN it should be from the parking team and will have the Southend Council logo on it.

"Hopefully the perpetrators of this scam will be caught soon."

Anyone who has received any notification relating to a Penalty Charge Notice from us can check the validity by southendocm.apcoa.com/.

This will allow drivers to access the case and see photographs related to the parking contravention.

The council advises that if you have not been provided with a PCN number or are not able to find your case online, it is possible that the communication is a scam.