Romanian cyber‑security agency warns of fake parking‑tax SMS scams
The National Cybersecurity Directorate (DNSC) has issued a nationwide warning about a wave of fraudulent SMS messages that claim the recipient’s parking account has unpaid fees. The messages state that a deadline of 28 July 2026 is approaching and threaten additional charges of at least 200 lei if the alleged debt is not settled. Each SMS contains a link to a fake website that asks for personal and banking data; providing that information can lead to account compromise and financial loss.
DNSC advises citizens not to click any links, to verify the sender’s identity through official channels, and to report suspicious messages to the 1911 hotline or the national incident‑reporting platform. The agency notes that the scams use emotional pressure and urgency to induce payment, and they impersonate parking authorities or municipal services.
Multiple Romanian media outlets have reproduced the warning, emphasizing the need for vigilance against this smishing trend.
Entities: Adrian Dragostin · Bihor Police · Brașov Local Police · Dej Police Department · Directoratul Național de Securitate Cibernetică (DNSC) · Dâmbovița County · Poliția Română · Romanian Parking Authorities · Romanian Police · Timisoara Police · Timișoara
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Brașov driver without a licence and with a blood‑alcohol level of 0.98 mg/L was arrested after hitting a light pole while reversing. (Brașov incident, 1 am 25 July 2026)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police in Bihor legitimated more than 1 752 people, performed 1 167 alcohol or drug tests on drivers, and issued 313 contraventional sanctions totaling 235 616 lei. (Bihor police operation, 24‑26 July 2026)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In Dej, police legitimated about 148 people, inspected 126 vehicles, seized 12 driver licences and two registration certificates, and imposed 55 fines totaling over 36 000 lei. (Police action in Dej, 24‑26 July 2026)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Brașov Local Police warned that SMS messages claiming to be traffic fines are fraudulent and that official fines are delivered only by written notice. (Brașov police alert, 2026)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In Dâmbovița, police stopped multiple drivers without licences, under the influence of alcohol, and in unregistered vehicles on 25 July 2026. (Dâmbovița traffic checks, 25 July 2026)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Three men were detained by Timișoara jandarm units with prohibited items including a green tear‑gas spray, a black box‑knife, and packages of suspicious plant material. (Timișoara jandarm operation, 24‑26 July 2026)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Timisoara police legitimated 258 persons, checked 120 vehicles, and applied 56 fines worth 44 720.50 lei, seizing two driver licences. (Timisoara police raid, 25‑26 July 2026)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Constanța police caught a 24‑year‑old driver whose licence was suspended after a police chase on Răscoalei 1907 street. (Constanța chase, 23:10 July 2026)
- [● 8 SOURCES] The fraudulent SMS messages set a payment deadline of 28 July 2026 and threaten extra charges of at least 200 lei if not paid. (DNSC)
- [● 8 SOURCES] DNSC advises citizens not to click the links, to verify the sender through official channels, and to report suspicious SMS to the 1911 hotline or the national incident‑reporting platform. (DNSC)
- [● 8 SOURCES] The parking‑tax SMS scams are part of a broader trend of smishing attacks in Romania. (DNSC)
- [● 8 SOURCES] Each fraudulent SMS includes a link to a fake website that asks for personal and banking data. (DNSC)