Scam texts and emails relating to fines continue to circulate. We do not send payment links in our texts or emails. If you get a message about a fine and are unsure whether it is genuine, please contact our call centre on 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) before clicking links or making any payment. Read more about identifying scams.
Automated calls, emails and text messages about fines – watch for scams
Automated calls, emails and text messages about fines – watch for scams
We sometimes use automated phone calls, emails and text messages to contact people about fines or with information about how to pay. Find out how to tell if a call, email or text message is genuine.
Automated phone calls may be made on Saturdays between 9.00am and 3.30pm, from 19 September to 3 October. If you receive a call and are unsure whether it is genuine, please check the information on this page or call 0800 434 637.
If you receive an automated call, email or text message without the information we always include (listed below), it is not from the Ministry of Justice.
Automated phone calls
Automated emails
Automated text messages
Our automated calls will always:
show our caller ID: 0800 434 637
give you an option to speak to one of our staff
leave a voicemail if the call isn't answered, asking you to call us on 0800 434 637.
Our automated emails will always include:
your name, or your business name
our 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) phone number
a 10-digit reference number (called a PPN)
a PDF attachment.
Our automated text messages will always include:
your first name
our 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) phone number
a 10-digit reference number (called a PPN).
Our automated calls will never:
include information about you
ask for your personal or banking information
automatically transfer you to speak to a person unless you request it.
Our automated emails will never:
include any payment links
include any website links (URL) to copy and paste into your web browser
ask you to share your internet banking password or PIN
ask you to pay using itunes cards or cryptocurrency
ask you to install software to "help you" make a payment.
Our text messages will never:
include any payment links*
include any website links (URL) to copy and paste into your web browser
ask you to share your internet banking password or PIN
ask you to pay using itunes cards or cryptocurrency
ask you to install software to "help you" make a payment.
* Automated text messages received before 31 March 2026 may have included payment links.
If you are unsure about an automated call or text message you have received or would like to check whether you have an overdue fine, please call 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637), Monday to Friday, 8:00am–7:00pm. We will be happy to help you.