Don't be fooled by scam QR codes on parking machines

Fake QR codes used by scammers have been spotted on pay and display machines in Derbyshire, prompting a warning to motorists not to fall for the fake payment method.

A driver in one area of the county reported being stung by scammers after his bank warned him the payment he’d made using a QR code stuck onto a pay and display machine was suspicious.

An immediate investigation discovered several pay and display machines in his area had a rogue QR code sticker on them which have now been removed.

Derbyshire County Council doesn’t use QR codes for payments for on-street parking so if there are QR codes on the machines, they’re not legitimate. The council continually checks its machines across the county for fake QR codes.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for health and communities Councillor Carol Hart said: “I’d urge everyone to be aware that scammers are operating in Derbyshire, putting stickers with QR codes on pay and display machines.

“These are dishonest, underhand people who are looking to rip off residents and leave them out of pocket.

“All of our machines accept cash and a cashless alternative, either by using the Pay By Phone parking app, or calling the telephone number listed on the machine. If you see a sticker with a QR code on it on one of our machines, don’t click on it – it’s a scam.”

Anyone who thinks they may have used a scam QR code to pay for their on-street parking in Derbyshire, or sees a QR code on a machine, is asked to email parking @ derbyshire.gov.uk or calling 01629 538671.

Councillor Hart added: “Unscrupulous people are always trying to find ways to con people out of their hard-earned money and we must do what we can to fight back. The county council doesn’t accept payment for parking using QR codes and I urge people against scanning a code on any of our machines.”

For more help and advice on scams contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.