Parking machine warning issued to all drivers over new QR code scam
One woman on Facebook said she used the ticket machine at the St Annes beach car park and had £1,500 stolen from her bank account.
A UK council has warned of a new scam involving fake QR codes being stuck onto parking ticket machines in order to take money from people's accounts.
If people scan the bogus code instead of entering cash or card or paying via an app, they will put their bank details in to send money to the scammers rather than actually buying a parking ticket.
One woman even had £1,500 taken from her account and Flyde Council in Lancashire has sent out a warning after the stickers appeared on multiple machines at Dicconson Terrace car park, St Paul’s Avenue, and Stanner Bank.
The council said it removed fake stickers but more appeared on pay and display machines and tariff boards in Lytham St Annes.
They advised anyone who scanned the fake codes to contact Lancashire Police and their bank.
Fylde Council said: "We've investigated and found stickers with a large QR code have been placed on some of our car park pay and display machines and tariff boards.
"If you see these QR codes please do not use them, they have been placed by scammers! If you have used them, please contact the police and your bank."
The followed up with an update: "These stickers have been removed as far as we know. Please do not scan any, we are currently working to solve this issue. The safest way to use these machines is with cash or by downloading the MiPermit App."
Some people have already fallen victim to the scam and have had money taken out of their bank accounts. One woman on Facebook said she used the ticket machine at the St Annes beach car park and had £1,500 stolen from her.
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Vanessa Heathcote wrote: "I was done only yesterday because of this. I paid for parking, or so I thought, at the St Anne’s Beach car park using this (QR code) as I had no cash.
"Then £1,500 has gone out of my bank! They said just five minutes after I 'paid' someone tried adding my card to their Google Pay. Hopefully I will get it back as police, Action Fraud and the company he’s ordered things from with my card have been informed.
"Apparently he’s used my card to buy car parts in Hinckley (Leicestershire). My son paid same way on same day and they tried his yesterday too."
