Milwaukee residents are receiving text messages claiming they owe a parking ticket and must pay immediately via a link. These messages look official, use city language, and sometimes include your neighborhood or a plate-style reference — but they are scams. The goal is to make you click a fraudulent link and submit payment or personal information.
Common Red Flags in the Scam Texts
- Urgent language — “Final Notice,” “Immediate tow,” “Pay now to avoid penalties.”
- Suspicious links — shortened URLs or domains that are not official city sites.
- Requests for card or bank details directly in the text flow.
- Typos, odd capitalization, or inconsistent formatting.
- Generic plate/vehicle info that doesn’t match your car.
What the City Actually Does
Milwaukee parking citations are issued by authorized personnel and can be verified and paid through official channels only. Typical communications are:
- Printed citation on your vehicle or mailed notice.
- Online lookup and payment via the city’s official payment portal.
- No direct-text payment requests with off-site links.
Tip: If you’re unsure, navigate to the city’s parking portal from the official City website manually—never via a link in a text.
What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Text
1) Do not click the link
Delete the text. Do not reply, and don’t share any personal or payment information.
2) Verify independently
Use the official City site to check for citations, or call the parking enforcement office directly.
3) Report the scam
Forward the text to your mobile carrier’s spam line (often 7726) and report via state/federal consumer protection portals.
4) Monitor accounts
If you clicked a link or entered info, contact your bank/card issuer immediately and consider a fraud alert.
How To Pay a Real Parking Ticket
If you think you legitimately received a citation, use these safe steps:
- Go to the official City of Milwaukee website, navigate to Parking/Violations, and use the payment portal linked there.
- Pay in person at an official location listed on the city’s site.
- Call the published city number to confirm any balance before paying.
Never pay through a link sent by text unless you have independently confirmed it’s the official city domain.
FAQ
Does the City ever text for parking tickets?
Official practice is to use printed citations, mailed notices, or the online portal accessed from the City’s website. Random payment texts are a red flag.
My text includes my street or ZIP—doesn’t that mean it’s legit?
No. Scammers can use publicly available info or broad targeting. Always verify independently.
I paid through a link in a text. What now?
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately, report the fraud, and file a complaint with consumer protection authorities.
Related Resources
- Milwaukee Weekly Scanner Recap
- Milwaukee Police & EMS Live Feed
- Wisconsin Scanner Legality Guide
- Community Safety Resources
For official payment portals and phone numbers, use links directly from the City of Milwaukee website only.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not represent an official statement from the City of Milwaukee. Procedures and policies can change; always confirm through official city channels.