The city of St. John’s is warning the public of a phishing scam involving fake city parking tickets.

St. John’s officials say scammers, claiming to represent city hall, contact people via text, advising them that they must pay a parking fine.

The message, which includes a link to a website mimicking the city’s web page and has a Pay Now button, demands an unusually high payment amount.

The capital city says it does not text residents about parking tickets, nor does it accept payment for parking tickets directly.

All parking ticket payments must be made through the provincial government.

Anyone who receives a suspicious text or call regarding such a ticket is asked to contact the RNC.