People across Suffolk have received scam text messages demanding they pay a parking fine. 

Suffolk Trading Standards has issued a warning following multiple reports residents received messages claiming to be from the local council. 

The message claims the recipient has 28 days to pay the penalty or they will be issued a "charge certificate" and have a further two weeks to pay the fine, plus 50% interest. 

It also said those who do not pay will be prosecuted and may have to pay a bigger fine and court costs. 

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A link at the end of the scam message leads to a fake but convincing copy of the official government website including accurate logos, branding and font. 

The web page asks for personal and payment data such as name, email, phone number and home address to pay the fine. 

A spokesman for Suffolk Trading Standards said: "These are scam text messages. Do not click the link."

Anyone who received a scam message can report it by forwarding the message to 7726 or emailing a screenshot to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk.