Drivers warned over QR code parking scams

Drivers are being urged to avoid scanning QR codes to pay for parking following a spate of scams.

The RAC advised motorists to make payments only with cash, cards or official apps.

In recent weeks there have been incidents of fraudsters placing stickers featuring QR codes on parking signs in locations such as Barking and Dagenham, Northumberland, Northamptonshire, South Tyneside and Pembrokeshire.

Drivers who scan the codes with their phone are shown fraudulent websites asking them to enter their card details, which criminals use to spend money from their accounts.

A QR code, which is an abbreviation of quick response code, is a barcode which enables people to get rapid access to a website or download link by scanning it with their phone camera.

Online fraud

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “A car park is one of the last places where you’d expect to be caught out by online fraud.

“Unfortunately, the increasing popularity and ease of using QR codes appears to have made drivers more vulnerable to malicious scammers.

“For some, this sadly means a quick response code could in fact be a quick route to losing money.

“As if this scam isn’t nasty enough, it can also lead to drivers being caught out twice if they don’t realise they haven’t paid for parking and end up getting a hefty fine from the council.

“The safest course of action when paying for parking at a council-owned car park is to avoid using QR codes altogether.

“Most of these councils don’t even operate a QR code payment system, so if you’re in any doubt, steer well clear and only pay with cash, card or via an official app downloaded from your smartphone’s app store.”

He added that this “new wave of criminal activity” demonstrates why the UK is in “dire need” for a system which allows people to pay for parking with a single app.