Drivers have been warned about parking scams circulating across London which could lead to hundreds of pounds being unlawfully spent on unsuspecting victims’ cards.
Kensington and Chelsea Council issued the warning, saying that scammers have been targeting victims with fake QR codes across the borough.
The council said it has been made aware of numerous incidents of drivers being affected by fake parking methods this month alone.
The authority has now urged drivers not to use any QR code method to pay for parking with at least six locations in the borough seeing fraudulent activity.
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At least six popular tourist spots have been impacted by fake QR codes
KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA COUNCIL
To help crack down on the scams, the council and street enforcement officers have been removing the fake QR stickers as soon as possible with the public encouraged to report any to the council.
The QR codes which often appear stuck on parking machines instruct drivers to pay through deceptive websites which mimic official council ones.
Last week, the council found fake stickers along Kensington High Street, Sloane Square and King’s Road including Campden Hill Road, Draycott Avenue, Coulson Street, Blacklands Terrace, Culford Gardens, Bray Place and Lincoln Street.
Councillor Cem Kemahli said: “This is an urgent warning to protect drivers in Kensington and Chelsea. If you use a QR code to pay for parking in Kensington and Chelsea, I guarantee that you are paying scammers instead of the Council.
“Our parking system does not use QR codes at all. Instead, you can pay in the PayByPhone app or over the phone.
“Our officers are removing these fake signs as quickly as we spot them but we want to make sure visitors and residents don’t fall foul of this cruel hoax which has been blighting other areas of London too.”
Following QR codes to pay for parking could lead drivers to unknowingly hand over their financial information to scammers. It could also lead to parking fines from the council as the motorists would not have correctly paid for parking.
The council strongly stated that it does not use any QR codes to link drivers to payment. Instead, drivers are advised to download and log in to the PayByPhone app or can pay by phone or text. If required to pay by cash, they can also visit a PayPoint.
A driver impacted by the scam shared his story on social media. The tourist, who had been visiting London, parked at Eton Square just off ings Road and the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
He claimed: “This QR Code was a scam. It went to a website where you had to enter your vehicle registration number plate. The 16-digit bank card number, expiry date and three-digit CVV Security code along with a mobile number to receive a text to confirm you had paid for an allowed time.
“Now the scam. This didn’t work the first time, so my friend tried it three times and by doing so inadvertently created three Google accounts which created three separate Monza cards. The cards that you load with pounds sterling to use overseas.”
The driver had money taken from his account but had taken a photo and location data of the sign, allowing to get the cash back from his bank.
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Drivers have been advised to not use QR codes to pay for parking
PA
“Keep your eyes peeled and don’t fall for scams involving spurious QR codes. It may save you a fortune,” he warned.
