Denver Issues Warning About Parking Invoice Text Scam Hitting Residents

What’s Happening in Denver?

Denver officials have issued a public warning after a surge in text message scams claiming that residents owe unpaid parking invoices. The messages typically include a fake link or urgent language, such as:

“City of Denver Parking: You have an outstanding invoice. Pay now to avoid penalties. [Click here].”

These texts are not from the city. They are phishing attempts designed to steal personal information, banking credentials, or even install malware on your phone.

This new scam wave is part of a larger trend where fraudsters impersonate trusted institutions—similar to how fake emails mimic legitimate unpaid invoice notices.

How the Scam Works

Scammers send a message pretending to be from the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) or a similar agency. These texts often:

• Include urgent language (“final notice,” “penalty,” “immediate action required”)

• Link to a fake website mimicking the city’s payment portal

• Ask for credit card info, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive data

• Use short links (e.g., bit.ly) to obscure their true destination

Victims who click and submit their details risk:

• Identity theft

• Unauthorized bank transactions

• Subscription to hidden charges

• Phone or browser malware

It’s much like phishing emails that spoof back office software or finance teams asking for urgent wire transfers.

Real Example of a Scam Text

Here’s a sample version reported by multiple residents:

“Unpaid Parking Invoice #DNP4421. Pay $75 now to avoid late fees: [Fake Link]”

The invoice number is made-up, and the link leads to a non-government website. Yet, the message appears convincing enough—especially for someone who’s parked downtown recently or received a ticket in the past.

This plays on recency bias and creates a false sense of urgency—two hallmarks of digital scams.

How to Tell If a Message Is a Scam

Use these quick checks:

• Look at the sender’s number: Scammers often use random 10-digit numbers or short codes.

• Inspect the link: Official Denver government links will use .gov or recognizable city domains.

• Check for misspellings or vague language: Legitimate agencies don’t use sloppy language or abbreviations.

• Call the city directly: Don’t click links—visit the official Denver parking site or call 311.

• Don’t panic: Real government agencies don’t threaten you by text without prior notice.

These checks are just like confirming client invoice details before issuing payment—due diligence goes a long way.

Denver’s Official Statement

According to city officials, no unpaid parking invoice notices are sent via text. The official communication methods include:

• Printed mail sent to your home address

• Online account notifications if you’ve opted in

• Email (only if registered through an official portal)

They have urged residents to report suspicious messages to the Denver Police Department’s non-emergency line and forward screenshots to 311 or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The warning is part of the city’s broader effort to combat cybercrime and protect personal data—just as companies aim to secure data in remote operations.

What to Do If You Received a Scam Text

If you’ve received one of these suspicious messages, don’t panic—but do take immediate action to protect your data.

1. Do Not Click the Link

Avoid tapping any link in the message. This protects you from phishing sites, malware, and auto-subscriptions. If you’ve already clicked, close the browser and clear your phone’s cache.

2. Don’t Share Personal Information

Never enter personal, financial, or account details from a text unless you’ve verified the source. Denver parking tickets never require immediate input via text.

3. Take a Screenshot

Document the message for reporting purposes. This can help local authorities track the scam and warn others. Be sure to capture the phone number and the message text.

4. Report It

File a report with one or more of the following:

• Denver 311 – via phone or app

• FTC Complaint Assistant: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov

• Your cell provider: Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM)

Much like flagging suspicious emails, reporting helps authorities take action and reduce spread.

How to Check If You Actually Owe a Parking Fine

If you're unsure whether the invoice is real, verify your status using official sources. In Denver:

• Visit the Denver Parking Management portal: https://www.denvergov.org/parking

• Call 311 or the DOTI customer support line

• Check mail correspondence for official notices

• Log into your registered account (if applicable)

Using verified government platforms is the safest way to manage payments—similar to how companies rely on secure platforms for billing.

Tips to Protect Yourself from Future Text Scams

Digital scammers are constantly evolving, and today’s parking invoice scam may shift tomorrow into delivery fraud, fake IRS alerts, or phony bank notices. Staying vigilant is the best defense.

Enable Spam Filters on Your Phone

Most mobile providers now offer call and message filtering services:

• AT&T: ActiveArmor

• Verizon: Call Filter

• T-Mobile: Scam Shield

These tools block known scam numbers and alert you to suspicious texts.

Review Recent Apps and Permissions

If you’ve accidentally clicked a scam link, check your phone’s:

• App list for unfamiliar or recent installs

• Permissions for apps with access to messages, contacts, or banking

• Browser history and cookies, and clear them

This is like running a security audit in remote team tools—a basic but important safety check.

Monitor Your Financial Accounts

Scammers who obtain your information may wait days or weeks to act. Keep an eye on:

• Bank and credit card activity

• Your credit report (via Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion)

• Unusual account logins or password change requests

If you see anything suspicious, report it to your bank and consider freezing your credit.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on critical accounts like:

• Email

• Bank portals

• Government accounts

• Business software

This adds a layer of protection, even if your password is compromised—just as 2FA protects virtual admin tools from external breaches.

How Denver Is Responding to Scam Activity

Denver city officials are working with:

• Local law enforcement

• Cybercrime units

• The FTC and Department of Homeland Security

• Telecom providers

Their goal is to identify patterns, block known scam numbers, and prevent similar attacks in the future. Public awareness campaigns are also being shared through local news, city alerts, and community meetings.

Just as businesses implement data protocols for remote teams, municipalities are investing in digital security training and outreach.

How Small Businesses and Freelancers Can Protect Against Invoice Scams

While this article focuses on Denver’s warning about fake text messages involving parking fines, the broader issue of invoice-related scams affects businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a local entrepreneur, freelancer, or small agency, being targeted by fake invoice schemes is a real and growing risk.

Here’s how to safeguard your operations, reputation, and revenue using smart invoicing practices—much like the city is educating residents to spot scam texts.

Understand How Invoice Scams Work in Business

Just like Denver residents receive scam texts about parking tickets, businesses often get emails, calls, or even paper mail pretending to be:

• Utility bills

• Office supply invoices

• Vendor service renewals

• Domain registration notices

• Government license payments

These fake invoices look professional. They might include logos, mock account numbers, and “due immediately” messages. And if your team doesn’t double-check, you could pay for something you never ordered.

Use Verified Vendor Lists and Internal Approvals

For growing teams, create a list of approved vendors and recurring expenses. Train your admin or finance assistant to confirm:

• Vendor name matches past invoices

• Services were actually delivered

• The billing contact is familiar

• Amounts and terms are consistent

If anything seems off, pause the payment and investigate—just like you’d confirm the authenticity of a parking fine before paying it online.

Train Your Team to Spot Red Flags

Invoice scams work when employees are overwhelmed, distracted, or untrained. Share these common red flags:

• Sudden invoice from an unfamiliar vendor

• Changes in payment instructions or bank details

• High urgency (e.g., “Due today to avoid cancellation”)

• Poor grammar or formatting

• Suspicious email domains (e.g., .info or .biz)

This is part of standard remote operations training where awareness is your best defense.

Use Invoice Verification Tools

If you use platforms like QuickBooks, Zoho, or Xero, take advantage of:

• Automated invoice matching

• Flagging duplicate or unusual invoices

• Role-based approval flows

• Alerts for changes in banking details

These tools function like scam filters for your inbox—keeping fake requests from getting paid.

Implement Two-Person Approval for Payments

A simple but powerful tactic is the “four-eyes principle”—requiring two people to approve payments above a certain amount. For example:

• Admin enters the invoice

• Finance lead reviews and approves

• Payment proceeds only if both agree

This stops scammers from reaching a single overworked employee with payment authority.

Keep Payment Communications Centralized

Avoid receiving or acting on invoice instructions over text, social media, or personal email. All billing should flow through a centralized email or platform (e.g., admin@yourcompany.com).

Centralization helps:

• Track communication history

• Spot phishing messages

• Ensure all invoices are stored and reviewed consistently

It’s the business version of using official portals for parking violations instead of clicking random links.

Verify Changes in Banking Info via Phone

If a vendor suddenly asks you to change their bank details or wire transfer instructions, do not rely on email confirmation alone. Call them directly using a known phone number and verify the request verbally.

This “call-and-confirm” step has saved countless businesses from major invoice fraud—just as Denver is asking residents to call 311 to confirm parking notices.

Regularly Audit Your Accounts Payable

Even if everything looks fine on the surface, it’s smart to review your vendor payments quarterly. Look for:

• Duplicate payments

• Fake or fraudulent entries

• Services paid for but not delivered

• Unusual vendors added without notice

This process is similar to conducting field service audits to ensure every transaction is tied to real activity.

Leverage Virtual Assistants for Invoicing Support

Many businesses are now turning to virtual admin teams to help with invoicing and payment tracking. With the right training, a virtual assistant can:

• Organize invoice files

• Cross-check delivery against payments

• Follow up with clients

• Flag anything unusual before it hits your books

They act like your first line of defense—reviewing paperwork so you can focus on strategy.

Consider Cyber Insurance for Financial Protection

If your business handles large payments or sensitive data, cyber liability insurance can help recover losses from:

• Invoice scams

• Phishing attacks

• Ransomware or data breaches

This is especially important if you’ve been targeted in the past or operate in industries with high-value transactions.

Final Thought: Prevention Pays Off

Denver’s warning is more than a public safety alert—it’s a lesson for businesses too. Whether it’s a fake parking invoice or a phony domain renewal, scammers rely on speed, fear, and confusion.

By setting up clear processes, training your team, and using smart software, you can keep your business safe—just like Denver residents are learning to stay alert on their phones.

Final Thoughts

The rise of parking invoice scams in Denver is part of a larger pattern of digital fraud targeting ordinary citizens. Whether it's a fake city fine or a spoofed invoice, the message is clear: always verify before you click.

By staying informed, reviewing your digital habits, and using secure payment portals, you can keep your personal information and bank accounts safe.

Treat digital security the same way you manage business payments—with clarity, caution, and good documentation.

About OpsArmy

OpsArmy is building AI-native back office operations as a service (OaaS). We help businesses run their day-to-day operations with AI-augmented teams, delivering outcomes across sales, admin, finance, and hiring. Visit operationsarmy.com to learn more.

Sources

• City of Denver: https://www.denvergov.org/parking

• Federal Trade Commission: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov

• Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com

• FTC Text Scam Warning: https://consumer.ftc.gov