Chris
2/18/2025 10:04:09 AM
3 mins read
North East Lincolnshire residents are being urged to remain vigilant when parking following a spike in fraudulent QR codes and parking fines.
A number of car parks across the borough are installed with pay by phone parking where drivers scan a QR code and pay through an online portal.
However, recent reports from the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN) suggest an increase in fake QR code stickers being placed over legitimate ones.
These fake codes are being used by fraudsters to direct payees to a website where they are led to believe they are paying for their parking. Examples of the fake links include:
Previously, NAFN reported several phone numbers sending messages claiming to be from the relevant local authority stating that the recipient must pay a parking fine by clicking a supplied link.
However, these links are in fact fake with the message stating that the supposed fine requires immediate payment.
These messages included wording similar to: “Please Pay a parking penalty charge notice (PCN) issued by a local council. If you do not pay a PCN within 28 days, you’ll get a ‘charge certificate’ and you’ll have 14 days to pay the original fine plus 50% more.
“If you do not pay you’ll be prosecuted - you may have to pay a bigger fine as well as court costs. Please pay your fine at the link after reading the information”
“If you do not pay a PCN within 28 days, you’ll get a ‘charge certificate’ and you’ll have 14 days to pay the original fine plus 50% more.”
Residents are reminded that they should remain vigilant and ensure to check any messages or websites they use in relation to parking cars across the borough.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “These fraudsters are becoming increasingly clever with their tactics to extort money from our honest residents.
“We are committed to working with bodies like NAFN to stamp out any fraudulent activity across our car parks. I urge people to be certain that any links, text messages or QR codes are legitimate when making payments for things like parking and fines.”
