Experts have urged drivers to only purchase parking from legitimate sites as a rise in scams is expected to hit the UK in the coming months.
As the temperature continues to rise, drivers have been warned to remain vigilant of parking scams, especially those involving fake QR codes.
Counterfeit QR codes have been spotted in public areas like car parks and at electric vehicle chargers, with many drivers falling victim to them.
In response to the growing scams, experts have called on drivers to be more aware when looking to pay for their parking, especially as the scams become more common.
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Fake QR stickers are often placed on top of official ones to trick drivers
GETTYAny QR code is susceptible to tampering, but those placed in public areas such as car parks are particular hot spots, as they have a captive audience.
With payment being one of the prime purposes of QR codes, drivers should make sure any code they scan in public is untampered.
If scanning a publicly placed QR code, drivers can check to see if it's fake by seeing if a sticker is placed over the original code, with peeling likely to be present alongside the edges.
A QR code scam will direct a device to an “official-looking”, but phoney website, which can steal credit card information when entered.
Other tips drivers can follow to help them avoid being scammed include not using a QR code from unsolicited emails.
Email inboxes are often bombarded with links and attachments that may be malicious with drivers urged not to scan QR codes in emails altogether.
Meanwhile, mobile devices will display the URL to which a QR code is trying to send you and only take you there if permitted.
Drivers should check the website beforehand to make sure it's legitimate by looking out for extended domain names.
Multiple hyphens and symbols are common in falselinks, whileknown names may be included in the URL to trick drivers into thinking they are on a safe site.
Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, said: “QR codes are an incredibly useful invention, but their relative novelty means that scammers are only recently coming around to exploiting them for malicious intentions.”
“The incoming summer months are likely to flood car parks in tourist areas, and near to attractions, so this is something scammers may look to capitalize on.
“Finding parking can be stressful, but it’s more stressful being scammed for money, so be on the lookout and utilize these tips.”
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Most car parks will not force drivers to use a QR code app, with other options available
Drivers are also reminded that they do not need a QR code app, with most cameras being able to scan the links.
