S'pore woman, 66, without car received parking fines due to other motorist's error, apology made: HDB

Parking fines which were received by a 66-year-old Singaporean woman who neither owned nor drove a car were sent erroneously, the Housing & Development Board (HDB) said in response to Mothership's queries.

Another motorist had mistakenly entered her old vehicle registration number to pay for his motorcycle parking fees, resulting in under-declared fees and the notices being sent, HDB explained.

The husband of the woman, surnamed Wang, said that they have received at least 19 fines since September last year.

The fines totalled S$1,320.

While Wang had last driven a car bearing the license plate number "4155" in 2024, the fines were for a car with the license plate "7965Y".

Why the parking offence notices were issued

In its response, HDB said that it is aware of the case.

Explaining the discrepancy, HDB said that its checks found that the resident was the last registered owner of the vehicle, which was deregistered in October 2000.

However, starting from September 2025, the vehicle's registration number was used to pay motorcycle charges instead of car parking charges, thus resulting in under-declared parking charges.

Another motorist had keyed in the resident's former vehicle registration number instead of his own motorcycle registration number, according to HDB.

"As the resident was the last registered owner of the vehicle, parking offence notices were automatically issued to her," HDB explained.

Upon discovering the discrepancy, HDB said it immediately stopped issuing new parking offence notices to the resident.

However, some of the reminders for earlier offence notices continued to be automatically sent to her.

"We have since cancelled all outstanding notices of this vehicle registration number that may be sent to the resident, and informed her that she may disregard the notices and reminders received," HDB said.

"We have also apologised to the resident," HDB added.

'Honest mistake' by other motorist

HDB said it has since reached out to the motorist and assisted to correct the error.

"We have also ascertained that it was an honest mistake and he paid for his usual parking sessions based on motorcycle parking rates," HDB clarified.