Drivers warned over new parking ticket scam spreading across the UK as expert reveals what to do if you scan the QR code

Police and councils in different parts of the country have recently issued warnings after discovering scams targeting drivers at parking bays and residential streets. In many cases, criminals are placing fraudulent notices on vehicles or attaching QR codes to parking machines that redirect unsuspecting motorists to fake payment websites.

Authorities in Aberdeen recently warned motorists about QR code stickers placed on legitimate parking bays that direct drivers to a fraudulent payment page. According to reports from The Scotsman, victims initially pay a small parking fee before finding much larger amounts withdrawn from their accounts later in the day.

Meanwhile, in Brighton, police have warned residents about fake parking tickets being left on cars, with fraudulent notices demanding payments of around £150. The scam was reported in several parts of the city and authorities confirmed the tickets were not issued by legitimate enforcement companies.

A similar warning was also issued in Edinburgh, where fraudulent QR codes were discovered on parking machines. City officials confirmed that their parking systems do not use QR codes for payment and urged drivers to report any suspicious stickers attached to ticket machines.

Consumer organisations say these types of scams are becoming increasingly common. Citizens Advice estimates that around 2.5 million people in the UK have encountered QR code scams, often involving stickers placed over legitimate codes that redirect users to fake payment sites designed to harvest financial information.

Experts say these scams are spreading because they exploit a simple human habit: scanning first and thinking later.

Why parking QR scams are spreading

Tech expert Raphael Yu from LeadsNav says parking scams are evolving quickly because they take advantage of everyday routines.

“When people park their car, they are usually in a hurry. They want to pay quickly, get to a meeting, or avoid a parking fine. Criminals know this, and they design scams that rely on speed rather than technical sophistication.”

Yu explains that QR codes have become an attractive tool for fraudsters because they bypass the usual warning signals people associate with suspicious links.

“When you receive a strange email link, you might hesitate. But when you see a QR code printed on a parking machine or a ticket on your windscreen, your brain assumes it must be legitimate. It feels physical and official.”

According to Yu, scammers exploit that trust. “They place stickers over genuine QR codes or create fake parking notices that encourage drivers to scan a code to pay a fine or parking charge. Once scanned, the code sends the driver to a fake website that looks almost identical to a real payment portal.”

He says the goal is simple.

“The moment someone enters their payment details on that fake site, the criminals capture the information. Sometimes the victim only loses a small amount initially, but the real danger is that the attackers now have their card details.”

The warning signs drivers should look for

Yu says drivers should treat any QR code related to parking with caution.

“The first thing to remember is that legitimate parking systems rarely rely on random QR codes placed on machines or stickers on signs. Most councils use dedicated apps or well known payment platforms.”

He explains that unusual placement is often the first clue.

“If the QR code looks like a sticker placed on top of another sticker, or if it appears loosely attached to a machine, that is a red flag. Fraudsters often simply stick their code over the real one.”

Yu also warns drivers to be wary of urgency.

“Fake parking tickets often try to create panic. They may say you must scan a QR code immediately to pay a penalty or avoid further fines. That urgency is deliberate. It stops people from verifying whether the notice is genuine.”

“If you want to pay for parking, use the official parking app or the website listed by the council. Never rely solely on a QR code that you find on a machine or a ticket.”

What to do if you have already scanned the QR code

Yu says people who have already scanned a suspicious QR code should act quickly to protect themselves.

“The first thing you should do is stop interacting with the page immediately. Do not enter any further information and close the website.”

He advises checking bank activity right away.

“Open your banking app and review recent transactions. If you notice any payment that you do not recognise, contact your bank straight away and report it as potential fraud.”

Yu also recommends cancelling cards. “If you entered card details on a suspicious website, ask your bank to freeze or replace the card. That prevents criminals from using the information later.”

He says reporting the scam is equally important.

“Notify your local council or the police if you encounter fake parking notices or QR codes. Reporting it helps authorities remove the scam quickly and prevents other drivers from being caught out.”

Yu adds that drivers should also report suspicious websites to the National Cyber Security Centre.

“That helps security teams shut down phishing pages before more people are affected.”