Drivers warned of QR code parking scams plaguing major region impacting older motorists
Drivers have been warned about fraudulent QR codes appearing on parking payment machines across a major area in the West Midlands.
Shropshire Council has issued an urgent alert after discovering fake QR code stickers attached to several pay and display machines throughout the town.
The fraudulent codes instruct drivers to pay for parking at deceptive websites designed to steal bank details with many elderly drivers falling victim to the trap.
Since being made aware of the growing number of scams, the council is now urging residents who spot these suspicious stickers to carefully remove them if possible and report the incident immediately.
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“Please do not scan the code. If you do – or have done – please don’t supply your bank details,” the council warned in its public notice.
Officials confirmed the scam was discovered on parking machines along Claremont Street, with photographic evidence shared on the council’s Facebook page.
The local authority stated that it does not use QR codes on any of their pay and display machines across the region with any being found a clear scam.
The warning comes as part of a broader effort to protect motorists from sophisticated payment scams targeting parking facilities.
“These codes link to a fraudulent website,” the council stated, reinforcing their message for residents to avoid scanning any QR codes they encounter on parking machines.
One victim from Oswestry has already fallen prey to the scam, highlighting the sophisticated nature of these fraudulent operations.
“I got caught out in Oswestry (Smithfield) in February,” the resident reported. “Scanned the QR code which took me to a site that looked like the MiPermit parking platform.”
The scammers initially charged £1 as a test transaction before attempting to set up a monthly subscription of £79.99. Fortunately, the victim’s bank identified the suspicious activity and blocked further payments.
The bank reportedly informed the victim that this type of scam has become increasingly common. Similar scams have been reported across the West Midlands region, indicating a widespread criminal operation.
In Telford, authorities have identified comparable fraudulent activities targeting local motorists. The situation has escalated beyond physical QR codes, with Telford and Wrekin Council reporting that residents have received fraudulent text messages.
One concerned resident highlighted how these scams are part of a broader issue, stating: “Parking scams and private parking companies fining people is a major business all over UK.”
The same resident warned about various tactics used, including “tricks and ploys with signage and cameras to catch you out with no discretion used for the older or vulnerable who may not be as technical.”
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The resident further detailed how scammers exploit technical challenges faced by vulnerable users. “One digit wrong, taking too long to enter reg or failing altogether to understand machine so getting done as they give up and leave,” the resident explained.
Tactics include deliberately placing payment machines far from parking spaces to create confusion. The resident noted that even when there’s supposed to be “10 minutes discretion allowed,” this is often ignored by operators.
“Spread awareness as its criminal how they operate,” the resident warned, urging others to be vigilant.