Drivers are being warned of fraudulent QR codes which could steal their financial details when paying for parking at machines, after a spate of incidents in Milton Keynes.
The local council in the area issued a warning after numerous reports of drivers paying for parking using fake QR codes was flagged.
Fake QR stickers were placed on several parking payment machines across the centre of the city, with the council urging drivers to not fall for the scheme.
Taking to social media, Milton Keynes Council urged drivers to be aware that QR code stickers were being stuck on parking machines, advertising it as a way to pay.
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Drivers should report any fake QR codes to the council
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The post continued, saying: “We DO NOT use any QR code stickers on our payment machines. If you do see any QR code stickers on a machine please report to our parking team MKParking@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
“If you have already scanned one of these QR codes, report to the police on 101.”
Drivers who have unfortunately fallen for the parking scam wrote about their experience on Facebook to help deter others from making the same mistake.
One user said: “We got scammed yesterday in the car park by John Lewis. The ground level outdoor one where John Lewis has a few free spaces for click and collect customers.
“Please be careful. We were lucky and our bank intercepted it, but still have the hassle of bank cards cancelled and awaiting replacements. Did report it to John Lewis, it’s not their car park but wanted them to be aware.”
While locals have been made aware, some are blaming the council for having parking charges in practice, stating that there would be no crime if the costs were wiped out.
Someone said on Facebook: “You know what would stop this kind of scam? Abolishing parking charges and adding a very, very small amount to council tax for everyone.
“That way we could all pay towards it and all park up the city centre whenever and at the same time, bring more money into the local economy. Just a thought.”
As for parking machine operators, RingGo, which has several parking points in the area said it has been made aware of fraudsters placing fake QR codes on parking signage.
The company explained that recent scams have involved fake QR codes on pay-and-display machines that lead users to fraudulent websites to steal their details.
Popular parking app RingGo said it does not use QR codes in any capacity to help drivers pay for parking.
Instead, drivers are encouraged to use the RingGo mobile app which lets drivers park and pay via a secure, encrypted service.
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Fake QR stickers were places on several parking payment machines across central Milton Keynes
GETTY
Drivers should also be aware of fake engineered websites designed to look like the RingGo pages and should be careful when registering card details outside of the app.
If a driver suspects they’ve found a sham QR code or fake website, they should register it to the council operating in the area so it can be flagged and removed.