Fake Parking Tickets in Florence: How to Recognize the Scam

A new scam has appeared in Florence, with counterfeit parking tickets being left on cars in different neighborhoods, including Campo di Marte. At first sight they seem authentic: they carry the lily symbol, bear the heading of the municipal police, and include a QR code for quick payment. In reality, the code leads to a PayPal transaction and the document has no legal value.

The City of Florence has warned that these notices were not issued by the Polizia Municipale but are part of a fraudulent attempt to extort money. There are several clues that reveal the deception. Unlike the genuine pre-notices, which always show the wording “Corpo polizia municipale Comune di Firenze”, the fakes rely only on the lily emblem. The fonts are inconsistent, with larger characters used for the license plate and ticket number. The language is schematic and the description of the violation does not correspond to the cited article of the law. Another clear difference is the deadline: the fake ticket claims a discounted payment can be made within fifteen days, while in reality the law allows only five. Even the signature gives it away, since a handwritten-style autograph is printed at the bottom, something that does not appear on authentic fines.

The biggest warning sign is the payment system. The counterfeit document contains only one QR code which opens a poorly designed website that imitates the official PagoPA portal. The page even contains a spelling mistake in the word “dispositivo”, written as “dispozitivo”, and offers two payment methods, PayPal and credit card. By contrast, the real notices are larger, carry two QR codes, and always redirect exclusively to PagoPA via the official IO app.

Authorities urge drivers not to pay if they receive one of these false tickets. Anyone who finds such a document should contact the Polizia Municipale directly or bring it to their offices for verification. The city stresses that all legitimate fines must be paid only through the PagoPA system and never through PayPal or third-party links.

For both residents and visitors, this scam serves as a reminder to be cautious. Tourists in particular, who may not know what a genuine Italian fine looks like, are encouraged to double-check any ticket before making a payment. Staying alert will help ensure that a simple parking violation does not turn into a costly fraud while enjoying Florence.

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