Britain's QR parking con: Warning over cheats targeting tourists, shoppers and e-car users by using fake signs on street metres to scam victims - with gangs targeting Welsh beauty spots, London, Cheltenham and Derbyshire Have YOU been a victim of the QR code con? Email Meg.Byrom@Dailymail.co.
uk By Meg Byrom Published: 05:30 EDT, 6 August 2024 | Updated: 05:44 EDT, 6 August 2024 e-mail View comments A new QR code scam on charging and parking machines is targeting motorists across Britain. The scam, which asks people to scan a fake QR code on parking or charging meters , has been spotted in London , Portsmouth, Lancashire, Newcastle, Leicester, Colwyn Bay, North Wales, Derbyshire, as well as Barking and Dagenham. Shocking videos emerged showing that legitimate QR codes had been stickered over with the fake codes.
When scanned the fake QR codes lead unlucky victims, who believe they are paying a charging or parking provider, to a bogus site which can steal both their money and details. On first glance, the sign looks and appears to be legitimate which could easily trick unsuspecting customers Once the sticker showing the black QR code was removed, you can see the real green code underneath Those that fall for the scam are still liable to pay for their parking charge or may face shock fines as they believe their payment was successful but instead went to the scammers. And, some motorists claim to have been the target of large scale thefts- with one woman saying she had £1,500 ta.