Fake QR Code Stickers
29th of June, 2025
We want to alert you to a rising scam known as “quishing” (QR phishing), where criminals tamper with parking QR codes to trick people into entering payment and personal information on fake websites.
What’s happening:
- Fraudsters are placing fake QR code stickers over genuine ones at parking machines and signs.
- Scanning these leads to fraudulent websites designed to steal your card details or personal data.
- Over £3.5 million has already been lost to QR scams across the UK in the last year.
Protect yourself:
- Inspect the code before scanning – avoid if it looks like a sticker or has been tampered with.
- Use official apps or trusted websites to pay for parking.
- Check the link after scanning – ensure it’s secure (starts with https://) and from a legitimate site.
- Avoid entering personal or payment info unless you’re 100% sure the site is real.
- Report suspicious codes to the car park operator, local council, or Action Fraud.
If you believe you’ve been caught out:
- Contact your bank immediately.
- Report it to Action Fraud: www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Staying alert and informed is the best way to protect yourself and others from these evolving scams.