In downtown Fort Lauderdale, visitors said they have used private parking lot meters designed to look like public ones to trick customers.

“It looks like they’re legitimately city or county tickets, and people are then threatened if they don’t pay that it’s going to go on to their credit,” Broward County Commissioner Mark Bogen said. “They should not be given out citations that look like they’re from law enforcement.”

Once in violation, the individual will receive a fake ticket from seemingly law enforcement demanding payment else your credit score will be effected.

To anyone who has received these message, “I tell them not to pay,” Bogen said.

Double check the legitimacy of your parking meter!