The QR code trap: Parking scams explode by 1300%
Thu, 14 May 2026
Car parking scams where a fake QR code is used to steal payment details have increased 1300% since 2022.
That's according to data gained from a Freedom of Information request by Ailsa Reliability Solutions. The data revealed that in 2022, just nine cases of the fake QR code car parking scam were reported, costing a combined £322.
However, by 2025 this had increased to 133 reports of the scam, with motorists out of pocket by £29,682.
The true scale of the scams could be much higher, with many motorists choosing not to report being scammed, especially when just small amounts are lost. However, not all motorists are so lucky.
In 2025, the BBC reported a 71-year-old woman had £13,000 taken from her account after using a scam QR code placed at Thornaby train station in north-east England.
Earlier this year, Kensington and Chelsea put out a warning to drivers urging drivers not to fall foul of the scam, following a large number of reports of fake QR codes in the borough.
How the scam works
Increasing numbers of carparks now rely on cashless payment, with motorists guided to download the appropriate app via a QR - short for quick response - code.
However, the scam involves replacing or covering the legitimate code with a fake, which takes an unsuspecting user to a website where their details can be recorded and used illegally.
The scam can also lead to a double financial hit, as the scam website leads to theft from the user's bank account, while they're also hit with a penalty charge for not actually paying to park in the first place.
Avoiding the trap
The QR code scam has been effective as it can be tricky to spot when a sign has been tampered with or even replaced. The British Parking Association recommends the following steps:
- Check for tampering: always inspect QR codes for signs of interference. If it looks like it’s been stuck over the original code, do not scan it
- Look out for the web address: when scanning a QR code, always check that the website address is legitimate, or is from the relevant app store link
- Use the official app: for secure payments, always use the relevant official app or website. If in doubt, manually enter the web address into your browser instead of scanning an unfamiliar QR code
