Rise in reports of parking scams duping drivers

Motorists in a number of areas of Kent are being targeted by suspected parking scams which try to trick people into paying money to bogus websites.

Scammers have been sticking fake QR codes in car parks and on parking payment machines to direct users to fraudulent pages online.

In recent weeks warnings have been issued by Thanet, Ashford, Medway and Dover councils.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) said there had been an increase in reports across the country.

The CTSI's scams lead officer Katherine Hart said they have been aware of more reports of parking fraud, with fraudulent apps, bogus penalty notices and fake QR codes all being used.

"We know the criminals are exploiting this technology and using their own QR codes to get our personal information, or our bank account information, the aim is to defraud us," she said.

"It may be you are downloading the QR code and it takes you to a payment platform.

"But sometimes the criminals will ring you in a couple of days claiming to be from your bank's fraud department, and will say we believe you've been a victim of a parking scam and they'll try to defraud you again."

Matt, from Kent, told BBC Radio Kent he was duped last summer when he parked in Sussex.

"There was an official looking QR code, which took me through to a website, I added my card details and paid for the parking," he said.

"The next morning I checked my bank account and found I had been stung for just over £700 in south-east London."

Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, told BBC South East that last year it received 3,143 reports nationally that mentioned the word "parking" - double its recorded figures from 2022.

Medway Council said it did not use QR codes for the payment of parking fees, either on machines or for RingGo.

Council bosses said if you see one do not scan it and do not click on any links.

Ashford Borough Council said its parking team had been routinely checking all machines and removing any QR code stickers that they found when on duty.

Thanet District Council told the BBC it had also been made aware of stickers being placed on council parking meters and their teams were on the lookout and would remove them.

Dover District Council said it was aware of one case in February and one in October and took action to remove stickers as a matter of urgency.

Last October Canterbury City Council also went public with its concerns and said machines across the district were being checked and any QR codes would be removed.

QR stands for "quick response". The black and white squares work like a two dimensional barcode and can be scanned by a phone or tablet.

Businesses often use them to direct people to things such as app downloads, payment platforms, social media accounts, menus and events listings.

Banking trade association UK Finance said:

• If you're not sure if the website a QR code takes you to is genuine, search for it in your browser instead

• QR code scams can trick people into downloading malware - so ensure phone security is up to date

• If you think you have fallen for a scam, contact your bank and Action Fraud

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.