Enterprising scammers are duping drivers into paying to cross a town's new multi-million pound bridge.
Just weeks after the historic opening of the £145m Gull Wing bridge heralded a new era in Lowestoft, numerous attempts have been made to con drivers into paying a fake toll to use the third crossing.
The Gull Wing bridge opens to the public in Lowestoft last month. Picture: Suffolk County Council) (Image: Suffolk County Council)
People are now being warned about the new scam amid reports that concerned locals have been trying to pay the toll after being contacted by bogus messages.
The warning being shared by Suffolk Trading Standards after scam messages were sent to people in Lowestoft. Picture: Suffolk Trading Standards (Image: Suffolk Trading Standards)
With scammers impersonating a council, "multiple reports" are said to have been received via texts, letters or phone calls.
Hundreds of people rushed to be among the first to cross Lowestoft's Gull Wing bridge. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
The messages claim to be from Lowestoft Council and say the recipient has not paid their toll charge for crossing the Gull Wing bridge - and they must follow a link to complete the payment.
It has led to Suffolk Trading Standards and Lowestoft Town Council issuing warnings that the messages are 'scams' - as they urge people not to pay any fees and to report any suspicious behaviour.
The Gull Wing bridge opens in Lowestoft next month. Picture: Suffolk County Council (Image: Suffolk County Council)
Trading Standards officials confirmed there is no toll to cross the bridge.
A town council spokesman said: "The concerns were first raised last week following around a dozen calls we'd received from concerned residents trying to pay their toll after being contacted.
A vintage bus was among the first vehicles to cross the Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "This was then reported to Suffolk County Council who passed it onto Trading Standards."
Cllr Nasima Begum, Mayor of Lowestoft, said: "Following the much-celebrated opening of the Gull Wing Bridge, it is a shame that a small minority of people are capitalising on its success and are scamming local residents.
"I ask that everyone is vigilant for any scams taking place in our community and that we all help raise awareness of the different scams taking place, especially amongst the most vulnerable in our community.
The Mayor of Lowestoft, Nasima Begum, presents the Freedom of the Town to The Royal Naval Patrol Service Association (RNPSA) for eminent services to Lowestoft earlier this month. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "If anyone has any suspicions about a scam, I encourage you to report it to the relevant authority."
After opening to the public on September 7, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, is due to officially unveil the new 345-metre bridge - which was built on behalf of Suffolk County Council by civil engineering contractor Farrans Construction - at a formal civic opening and naming ceremony on Tuesday, November 19.
Suspicious text messages should be reported to 7726.
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