Providence Police Warn of Unpaid Ticket Scam

Authorities say scammers are posing as the city and demanding payment via text message.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:48am

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The Providence Police Department is alerting the public about a text message scam where the sender is posing as the city and demanding money for an alleged parking violation. The department has posted an image of the attachment recipients are receiving and is urging people to not respond, as this is a scam. The police have stated they will never request payment via text message or phone.

Why it matters

This scam targets unsuspecting residents and aims to steal their money through deception. It highlights the need for public awareness about common scams and the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any payment requests, especially those received via unsolicited text messages.

The details

According to the police, the scammers are sending text messages to residents claiming they owe money for a parking violation. The messages include an attachment that recipients are urged not to click, as it is part of the scam. The Providence Police Department has made it clear they will never request payment through text messages or phone calls.

  • The Providence Police Department posted the warning about the scam on social media on March 16, 2026.

The players

Providence Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Providence, Rhode Island that is warning residents about the unpaid ticket scam.

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What they’re saying

“This is a scam. PPD will never request payment via text message or phone. Delete the message and do not click any links.”

— Providence Police Department

The takeaway

This scam serves as a reminder for residents to be vigilant when receiving unsolicited payment requests, especially via text message. It's important to verify the legitimacy of any such requests directly with the appropriate authorities before providing any personal or financial information.