Drivers across the United Kingdom are being warned about a sharp rise in fraudulent QR codes being placed on car park payment machines, with new research indicating that incidents have increased by more than 1,300% over the past three years.
QR codes, read by a smartphone camera, are designed to direct users to a website quickly and conveniently. Criminals are exploiting this by placing counterfeit stickers over legitimate codes on parking machines, redirecting drivers to fake payment websites that capture their bank card details for fraudulent use.
The scale of the problem
The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by Alisa Reliability Solutions, suggests that drivers have lost at least £56,000 to fake QR code scams since 2022. However, experts believe the true figure is likely to be considerably higher, as many victims do not report the fraud to police or their local council, often because the individual sums taken are relatively small.
The risk of being caught out twice
There is an additional consequence that many drivers may not initially consider. If a fraudulent QR code redirects a driver to a fake payment site, their parking fee will not actually have been paid. This means they may subsequently receive a penalty charge notice from the council, compounding the financial harm already suffered.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, commented: “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. The safest course of action when paying for parking at a council-owned car park is to avoid using QR codes altogether.”
How to protect yourself
The RAC advises that where possible, drivers should pay for parking using cash or card at the machine directly, or through an official parking app. A QR code should only be used where no other payment option is available.
If you do need to use a QR code, the following steps can help reduce your risk:
- Before scanning, check whether the QR code sticker appears to have been placed over the original. Signs include the code appearing unusually large or partially covering official text or markings.
- Once directed to a payment page, check that the website address begins with https:// and displays a padlock symbol, and confirm it is the official site for the parking operator.
- If you are concerned that you may have used a fraudulent code, review your bank statements and banking app promptly for any unfamiliar transactions.
- If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank, ask for a reference number and then call your bank back using the number printed on the reverse of your bank card or from their official website. Never use a number provided by the caller.
About Freeman & Co.
Freeman & Co. are a specialist firm of road traffic and criminal defence solicitors based in Manchester but with nationwide coverage.
Freeman & Co. specialise in a wide variety of road traffic cases, ranging from drink driving, speeding and mobile phone offences, to name but a few.
The firm was created by Nick Freeman, who has been dubbed “Mr Loophole” by the press for his technical legal ability and robustly challenging the prosecution.
Nick is well regarded as an expert road traffic lawyer and has successfully represented many high profile clients for a variety of motoring offences as well as criminal offences.
The firm of Freeman & Co. embodies the way Nick works, with minute attention to detail and challenging the prosecution at every turn.
If you are facing a road traffic matter or criminal offence and need the services of Freeman & Co. please call on 0161 236 7007.
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Our Details
Freeman & Co Solicitors
8 Oxford Court
Manchester
M2 3WQ
Tel. 0161 236 7007
