Drivers urged to avoid common car park mistake costing motorists hundreds

QR code parking scams have surged in recent months, prompting Action Fraud to issue an official warning about their rise. In this scam, criminals place fake "how to pay" posters in car parks, featuring QR codes that direct drivers to fraudulent payment websites or encourage them to download malicious apps to pay for parking.

However, the QR code is not an official payment method and instead directs victims to a fraudulent link that sends money straight to scammers. Drivers believe they are paying the parking company, but once the payment goes through, they are often charged more than expected, with funds taken directly from their bank account.

The scams have become so widespread that councils across the UK have issued alerts. The scheme is already common in other countries, where some drivers have lost as much as £768 in a single incident.

Ian Hajyzamanali, a car expert at Big Motoring World, has shared his advice on how drivers can avoid being scammed out of their money. The single most important thing is to check the website the QR code takes you to carefully.

He said: "Scammers may use URLs that look convincing but contain subtle typos or extra characters. For example, instead of 'www.parkingcompany.co.uk,' you might be directed to 'www.parking-compnay.co.uk' or something similar. Always verify the web address before proceeding.

"Some QR code scams will ask you to download an app. Rather than doing this, another safeguard is to use the parking provider's official app. If the car park is managed by a known company, download their app from a trusted source like the App Store or Google Play, and make payments through it rather than relying on the app you're directed to by the QR code."

You should also inspect the QR code's placement. "A legitimate QR code is unlikely to look hastily applied or out of place. If it's on a sticker that's peeling, misaligned, or placed over existing payment information, it's likely dodgy," he added.

Mr Hajyzamanali further advised drivers to look for a pay machine first rather than relying on their phone, saying this was a "smart" way to avoid scammers. He said that paying directly at the machine eliminates the need to scan a QR code and noted that many machines now accept contactless, chip and pin, or cash, adding that sometimes "old ways are the safest."

Another important step is not rushing when you pay and trusting your instinct if something doesn't feel right.

Hajyzamanali said: "Scammers often rely on you being in a hurry, so take a moment to assess the situation. Look around for clear, official signage that details the correct payment methods. Genuine payment instructions will typically be on professionally printed signs or ticket machines, not on random stickers slapped around the car park.

"On a basic level, if something feels 'not right', your instincts are often right. Report suspicious QR codes to the car park operator immediately. Taking a moment to double-check could save you from handing your money to scammers.

"By staying alert and cautious, you can ensure your parking payment goes to the right place - not into the hands of fraudsters."