Risk: Elevated

Parking fine via SMS? Criminals are after your credit card data!

Category: Banks · Published: 13/07/2026 · Last updated: 22/07/2026

Summary

What is this about? Current fraud case, reported by Watchlist Internet. See linked source for details.

Who is affected? Consumers in Germany.

How high is the risk? Elevated

Why is this warning issued?

This warning was included because it is based on a report from Watchlist Internet. It is intended to protect other users from this fraud scheme. The assessed risk is elevated.

How the scam works

You receive an SMS from the sender 'Parkstrafe' urging you to quickly pay an alleged fine and threatening late fees.
The link contained in it leads to a fake portal designed to appear legitimate through the name 'asfinag' in the link and the 'Best in Parking' logo.
On the first page, you are asked to enter your license plate number – accompanied by threats such as driver's license revocation or a court summons.
The check always returns a match, even for fictitious license plates, along with a reference number and the alleged incident.
A 50% discount is promised if payment is made within 48 hours – this is meant to create additional pressure.
The amount demanded is intentionally kept small (8.60 euros in the example) to lower the inhibition threshold for payment.
At the end, credit card data is requested – this is the actual target of the criminals.

How to recognise it

SMS sender is simply called 'Parkstrafe'
Link contains the word 'asfinag' – but ASFINAG is not responsible for collecting parking fines
Umlauts are missing on the fake page (e.g., 'ae' instead of 'ä', 'ue' instead of 'ü')
Links on the fake page do not work
The domain finamasht.com was only registered on 25 June
Credit card is offered as the only payment method
The fake page uses the 'Best in Parking' logo but has nothing to do with the company
Request for TAN/PIN/card data

How to protect yourself

If you have entered credit card data: Contact your credit card provider immediately and have the card blocked.
Monitor your credit card statements closely over the coming weeks and report any unusual transactions immediately.
File a report with the police.
Stay vigilant: Since the fraudsters already have data about you and your license plate, further fraud attempts may follow.
Contact your consumer advice centre if you have any questions.

What you should never do

Do not click on the link in the SMS.
Do not enter credit card data or other personal information on the fake page.
Do not pay just to 'get it over with'.
Do not reply to the SMS.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay the fine?

No. The claim is completely made up. According to Watchlist Internet, ASFINAG is not responsible for collecting parking fines, and the fake page has nothing to do with 'Best in Parking'.

What happens if I don't respond?

Nothing – because there is no real fine. The threats of driver's license revocation or a court summons are part of the scam.

Where did the fraudsters get my data?

This is not explained in the source. What is known is that the criminals intend to capture the license plate and credit card data via the fake page.

I have entered my credit card data – what now?

Contact your credit card provider immediately, have the card blocked, and monitor your statements. Also file a report with the police.

Why is the fine so low?

The small amount (e.g., 8.60 euros) is part of the scam. It is intended to lower the inhibition threshold so that you pay quickly – but the criminals are actually after your credit card data, not the money.

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Original source

Find more information in the original source.

Watchlist Internet ↗

Update history

22/07/2026Description updated
13/07/2026Warning added from an official source