'Quishing' car parking scam 2024: how to stay safe from fake QR codes

Rights, Scams and Politics

Updated on 16 August 2024 | 0 Comments

Motorists have been warned to look out for fake QR codes stuck on parking payment machines and car park signs that could allow scammers to steal their money and land them with a fine from the council.

Thinking of paying for your parking through a handy QR code on the payment machine? Proceed carefully.

Motorists are being duped by fake QR codes, which have been appearing on signs at car parks across the UK.

Breakdown service RAC has warned motorists that scam artists are placing stickers on official car parking signs at council-owned car parks directing customers to fake websites, which they then use to steal money from drivers’ bank accounts.

Customers have been conned out of cash at car parks in Barking and Dagenham in Greater London, Northampton, Pembrokeshire, Northumberland and South Tyneside.  

Similar ‘quishing’ scams have also been reported at electric car parking stations around the UK.

Fraudsters make it appear that customers are being directed to the PayByPhone app to pay for parking but instead steal their bank details.

Fake QR code could see you scammed AND hit with a parking fine

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 quishing 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.”

How to stay safe from quishing scams

Williams says motorists wanting to pay online for council-owned car parks should use the recommended official app or pay by card or cash.

“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 says.

“This advice should also be applied to any mode of transport where you can pay via a QR code, including electric vehicle charge points and private car parks.”

What to do if you’ve been affected

Contact your bank immediately if you think you may have been subject to a QR code scam or any other fraudulent scheme.

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