A security expert has warned drivers to be on high alert for quick response (QR) code scams in car parks that have left multiple victims out of pocket.
Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, has told Digital Journal that scammers are placing fake QR code stickers over legitimate parking payment signs to trick drivers into sending money directly to criminals.
“Drivers need to check parking payment signs carefully for any stickers that look suspicious,” Porcar reveals. “These fraudsters place their own QR codes on top of official payment information, which can be incredibly convincing.”
The warning comes as reports reveal these scams have spread to multiple UK cities, with Newcastle City Council recently reporting three QR code scams to police in just two weeks.
Porcar said many drivers do not realise they have been scammed until later. He states: “Most victims scan these codes thinking they’re paying for legitimate parking. The fake payment pages look almost identical to official ones, but money gets sent directly to criminals rather than parking authorities.”
After victims scan the fraudulent codes to pay for parking, payments of approximately £60 are taken from individual accounts. This money goes straight to scammers while leaving drivers liable for actual parking fines.
Scam cases
According to Action Fraud data, reports of QR code scams across the UK have grown dramatically in recent years. Their statistics show an increase from just 112 cases in 2020 to more than 400 in the first nine months of 2023 alone.
“These QR code scams aren’t limited to just taking your parking payment,” Porcar finds. “Some malicious codes download tracking software onto your phone, potentially giving criminals access to your personal data and banking information.”
One victim from Teesside faced losing more than £13,000 after fraudsters covered a genuine code with their own at Thornaby station car park. The experience left her “struggling to trust anyone” and suffering “sleepless nights,” according to BBC reports.
The scam has hit multiple locations across the UK, with Kensington and Chelsea Council reporting fake QR codes discovered at six locations in one month in 2025 alone, including areas around Kensington High Street, Sloane Square and King’s Road.
Actions to take
“Never scan a QR code sticker that appears placed over existing parking payment information,” Porcar warns. “Legitimate parking operators typically wouldn’t use sticker QR codes attached to signs. Their payment information is either printed directly on signs or included in permanent fixtures.”
Porcar also recommends drivers familiarize themselves with official payment methods before traveling. “Most legitimate parking operators use dedicated apps like RingGo, PayByPhone, or their own official applications. Download these before your journey and pay through them directly rather than scanning codes you find on-site.”
The security expert also advised looking carefully at the URL after scanning any QR code: “Official payment pages will have secure URLs starting with ‘https://’ and will match the official domain of the parking operator. If anything looks suspicious or unusual, don’t proceed with payment.”
