It’s emerged scammers are replacing QR codes on parking machines in order to get people to part with credit card details on fake websites to scam money out of them.

The Telegraph reports that criminals have pounced on the technology to steal personal details and money from victims.

It quotes Anthony Cashel of global mobile parking app PayByPhone, who’s warned fraudsters had tried to impersonate its brand and website to target drivers, saying “One such scam that is becoming more prevalent is the replacement of QR codes on parking machines.”

The report says cases of scammers placing their own barcodes on parking machines to trick drivers into entering their card details into a fake payment website have been reported across the country.

Last week the Isle of Wight council warned of the scam after a motorist had money stolen from her bank account after trying to pay for parking using a fake QR code stuck to the machine. The council said it was now checking other payment machines for the bogus stickers.

The Telegraph says Mr Cashel said PayByPhone was considering adding warnings about scammers targeting drivers on its parking machines. 

He added: “We take any scamming activity seriously and the safety of our customers is paramount to us.”

(Picture – Yay Images)