UK Drivers Warned Over Parking QR Code Scams

Parking Machine Warning as Fake QR Codes Target UK Drivers

UK Drivers Warned Over Parking QR Code Scams as Fake Stickers Target Machines Drivers across the UK are being warned to take extra care when paying for parking after scammers placed fake QR codes on parking machines and signs. The codes can send motorists to fraudulent websites designed to collect payment or banking information, with several councils now issuing specific warnings to drivers. How the parking QR code scam works The scam involves placing a fake QR code over or near legitimate parking information, making it appear that motorists can scan it to pay for their parking. The British Parking Association warns that fraudulent QR codes can lead users to websites designed to steal payment information. Havering Council, for example, says it does not use QR codes for paid parking and has warned motorists about bogus QR-code signs being placed on parking machines. Luton Borough Council has issued a similar warning, saying fake QR codes have been found on its pay-and-display machines and pay-by-phone signs. Drivers should check before scanning Motorists should look carefully at any QR code before using it to make a parking payment. The British Parking Association advises drivers to check for signs of tampering and to look at the website address after scanning before entering any personal or payment information. The safer option is to use the official parking operator's app or website, downloaded or accessed independently rather than through an unfamiliar QR code. Edinburgh Council also advises drivers to download RingGo directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store rather than following links obtained through QR codes. Some councils do not use QR payments at all One important point for motorists is that QR-code payment arrangements differ between parking authorities. Havering, Luton and Edinburgh are among councils that explicitly warn drivers that they do not use QR codes for their parking payments. That means drivers should not assume that a QR code attached to a parking machine is genuine simply because it appears alongside official-looking information. The British Parking Association recommends checking the official payment method and reporting suspected fraudulent QR codes to the parking operator or local authority. Fake parking texts are another risk QR codes are not the only parking-related scam being reported. Some councils are also warning about fraudulent text messages claiming that a driver has an unpaid Penalty Charge Notice and directing them towards a payment link. Havering Council says it does not send SMS messages providing a payment link for unpaid PCNs, while Luton says its parking notifications are sent by post. For drivers, the safest approach is to avoid clicking unexpected payment links and instead check the relevant council or parking operator's official website. What should drivers do if they see a suspicious QR code? Motorists who notice a QR code that appears to have been stuck over a parking machine or sign should avoid scanning it. Drivers can instead use the payment method listed on the official parking signage, such as the physical machine, official parking app or published telephone number. If a driver believes they have fallen victim to a parking payment scam, councils including Luton advise reporting the incident and contacting their bank. With more parking payments moving online, checking exactly where a payment is being made has become an important part of parking safely. For drivers visiting unfamiliar areas, planning where to park and checking the legitimate payment options before arriving can also reduce the pressure to scan an unfamiliar code at the roadside. EveryonesParking can help motorists plan their parking before a journey, giving drivers another reason to check their parking arrangements in advance rather than making a rushed decision when they arrive.