QR codes are everywhere! Signs, menus, and yes, parking. But, think twice before scanning one. There have been numerous reports about a scam involving fraudulent QR Codes in parking lots.
How the scam works
You pull into a parking lot and see that there is a sign to pay. At first glance, nothing looks wrong with the sign. There is a QR code, hours of operation, and even a zone number. You scan the code and pay. Normally, you would receive an immediate text or email alerting you that your payment was processed and how much time you have left before the lot or meter expires. But, you get nothing. Or maybe you did see one credit card charge, but no other confirmation. The same day, the next day, or even a week later you start seeing other charges that have nothing to do with parking. Turns out, the QR code was a fake. And now your information is in the hands of a scammer.
TIPS TO AVOID FALLING INTO THIS TRAP:
1. Make sure the QR code or website is real. Just because a website has a logo doesn’t mean it is legitimate.
2. Pay for parking directly through your app or directly through the meter.
3. Check the spelling of the site. Look for spelling and grammatical errors. Instead of a website saying “paybyphone,” it might say “poybyphone.” Just one letter off. The scammers are trying to steal your data and make you think you’re on a real website.
4. Fake QR codes can be placed on anything. In some instances, they were glued on top of real parking meters. So, check for signs of tampering.