Motorists in Southend and other areas across the UK are being warned about QR code scams that are tricking drivers into paying fraudsters instead of official parking operators.
The scam involves fraudsters placing fake QR codes on pay-and-display machines and signs, directing unsuspecting drivers to fraudulent payment websites.
The bogus QR codes have been spotted at seafront car parks in Southend, including the car park next to Sea Life Adventure. Drivers attempting to pay via these codes have unknowingly handed their payment details to scammers, leading to financial loss and fraud risks.
A spokesperson for Southend-on-Sea City Council confirmed that these QR codes are not legitimate, stating: “This is a scam. Southend-on-Sea City Council does not use QR codes on any parking machines, parking signs, or for any Pay by Phone Apps, aside from on adverts for the Southend Pass, which do include a QR code linking to the Southend Pass homepage on our website.”
A growing problem across the UK
The issue is not limited to Southend. QR code scams have been rising across the UK, with fraudsters targeting car parks across Essex, London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Lee James, a victim of the scam, recounted his costly experience at a car park in Maldon: “I got scammed at Maldon in the small car park near the bus gate. I only usually use card or cash, but the machine was broken, and I didn’t know if the camera near the entrance was for the car park or the bus gate, so I didn’t want to just drive off. Instead, I used the info on the sign to reluctantly set up payment in good faith. That led to six companies taking money from my account, a day off work to go to the bank, and a lengthy fraud phone call to sort it out.”
Scammers are exploiting the growing use of QR codes for payments, particularly in locations where drivers may feel pressured to pay quickly to avoid fines. Once scanned, these fraudulent codes redirect victims to fake websites that look identical to real parking payment pages but steal card details instead.
How to protect yourself from QR code scams
Fraud experts are urging motorists to take precautions when using car park payment services:
- Check for official signage – If a parking machine has a QR code, verify it through the council or parking provider’s website before scanning.
- Use official apps – Debbie Nicholas, a Southend driver, said: “I have downloaded RingGo, the Southend Parking App, to my phone so I never need to scan the code, but I always make sure the parking number on the notice matches the one on my phone.”
- Manually enter web addresses – Instead of scanning QR codes, type the official website address of the parking operator into your browser.
- Look for tampering – Fake QR codes are often stickers placed over legitimate signs. If something looks misaligned, bubbled, or off-centre, report it.
With scammers always becoming more sophisticated, staying vigilant is the best defence. If you suspect a fake QR code in a car park, report it to the local council and the parking operator immediately.