Drivers warned of QR code car park fraudsters

SCAMMERS are exploiting the rise of cashless car parks by duping drivers who pay using their mobile phones.

Motorists often now have to call a number on a machine or scan a barcode that takes them to a payment website.

But criminals have pounced on the technology to steal personal details and money. Anthony Cashel, of PayByPhone, a global mobile parking app, warned fraudsters had tried to impersonate its brand and website.

Mr Cashel said: “One scam that is more prevalent is the replacement of QR codes on parking machines.”

A QR (Quick Response) code is a type of square barcode scanned by a smartphone that contains information such as a web address or contact details.

Cases of scammers placing their own barcodes on parking machines to trick drivers into entering their card details into a fake payment website have been reported across the country.

Mr Cashel said PayByPhone was considering adding warnings about scammers on its parking machines.

But QR scams are not confined to car parks. Nationwide Building Society warned victims had been targeted in pubs, restaurants, and even when collecting cinema tickets.

A Nationwide spokesman said the best deterrent was for the public to be “extra vigilant” when making a payment using a QR code.

Katherine Hart, of Trading Standards, said the scam was “very much on the increase”.

She said: “It is another way to data harvest or phish for personal details and steal our money.”

She said anyone scanning a code should check it had not been stuck on top of another code or placed in an unusual location.

She added: “Only scan the code if you are sure and, if in doubt, use the telephone number that should be displayed in a prominent place. Ask yourself whether the company actually needs your personal details.”