Motorists across Kent are being targeted by suspected parking scams which try to trick people into paying money to bogus websites.
Scammers have been sticking fake QR codes in car parks and on parking payment machines to direct users to fraudulent pages online.
In recent weeks warnings have been issued by Thanet, Ashford, Medway and Dover councils. Councils are advising that if you see a QR code, do not scan it and do not click on any links.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) said there had been an increase in reports across the country.
The CTSI’s scams lead officer Katherine Hart said they have been aware of more reports of parking fraud, with fraudulent apps, bogus penalty notices and fake QR codes all being used.
She said “We know the criminals are exploiting this technology and using their own QR codes to get our personal information, or our bank account information, the aim is to defraud us. It may be you are downloading the QR code and it takes you to a payment platform. But sometimes the criminals will ring you in a couple of days claiming to be from your bank’s fraud department, and will say we believe you’ve been a victim of a parking scam and they’ll try to defraud you again.”
Medway Council said it did not use QR codes for the payment of parking fees, either on machines or for RingGo.
Ashford Borough Council said its parking team had been routinely checking all machines and removing any QR code stickers that they found when on duty.
Thanet District Council said it had also been made aware of stickers being placed on council parking meters and their teams were on the lookout and would remove them.
Dover District Council said it was aware of one case in February and one in October and took action to remove stickers as a matter of urgency.
