A warning has been issued to motorists in Southend after a fraudster placed fake QR code stickers on parking signs across the city. The scam, which emerged on the evening of 18th February, directs unsuspecting drivers to a fraudulent payment website designed to steal card details.
Southend City Council has confirmed that they are actively removing the fake stickers and reviewing CCTV footage in an attempt to identify those responsible. However, they are urging people to stay alert when using car parks in the area.
How the scam works
The fraudsters have stuck their own QR codes onto payment instruction signs at a large number of parking locations, mainly targeting the central seafront area.
When scanned, the QR codes lead to a bogus website that mimics a legitimate payment portal, tricking users into entering their payment details.
This type of scam, known as ‘quishing’ (QR code phishing), has been on the rise nationally, exploiting the increasing shift towards cashless transactions.
The council has emphasised that they do not use QR codes on any parking machines, signs, or pay-by-phone apps, except for legitimate adverts promoting the Southend Pass.
Public reaction: frustration over cashless payments
The incident has reignited debate among residents about the move away from cash payment options. Many people believe that a reliance on digital payment systems has made motorists more vulnerable to scams.
Patricia Martin, a concerned resident, said: “All parking machines should have a cash option. If I can’t pay with cash, I don’t use the car park—I’ve been scammed too many times!”
Paul Gibb echoed similar concerns, stating: “They put these cashless machines in at no financial savings to the user and gather our details, making us vulnerable to scammers. Go back to cash machines and we know where we stand.”
Mark Melling also criticised the shift away from traditional payment methods: “This is what happens when you take payment machines away! Southend Council should be held accountable for anyone losing money to this.”
Another parking scam to watch out for
In addition to the fake QR codes, Southend City Council has also warned residents about a second type of scam involving fraudulent text messages. Some motorists have reported receiving texts claiming they have a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), with a link provided to make a payment.
The council has made it clear that they never send text messages regarding PCNs. Any genuine penalty notice will be issued as a physical ticket on your vehicle or sent as a letter to the registered keeper’s address.
How to stay safe
Southend City Council is urging all residents and visitors to follow these safety tips:
- Do not scan QR codes on parking signs or machines.
- Only use official payment methods listed on council signage.
- Be cautious of text messages claiming to be from the council about PCNs.
- If in doubt, visit the official Southend City Council website for parking information.