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QR code parking meter scam
You park, see a QR code on the meter or a sign that says 'Scan to pay', and a slick payment page opens. You enter your card and plate number. Weeks later, you may still get a parking ticket, and your card shows other charges.
Fake QR code stickers placed over real ones have been reported by cities across the U.S. The FTC has warned about QR codes used to hide scam links, sometimes called 'quishing'.
What the message looks like
From: Sticker on a parking meter
Subject: SCAN TO PAY
Fast & easy parking payment. No app needed!
[QR code] → park-pay-city[.]com
How this scam works
QR codes hide the web address, so you can't see where you're going before you scan. Scammers print stickers that look official and place them on meters, pay stations and signs. Some send a QR code by mail or email about an unpaid ticket or a package.
The fake site collects your card details and sometimes signs you up for a recurring 'subscription'. Meanwhile your parking wasn't actually paid.
Many cities use specific parking apps, like ParkMobile or PayByPhone, and post them on official signs. A code that leads somewhere else should make you stop.
Red flags
- A sticker placed over another label, or one that looks newer than the meter.
- The web address that appears after scanning doesn't match the city or its official parking app.
- A page asking for more than plate number and payment, like your ID or date of birth.
- Subscription or 'membership' wording on a parking page.
- QR codes in unexpected mail or texts about parking or tolls.
How to tell it’s fake
- Before tapping the link, read the address your phone shows after scanning.
- Pay through the official app named on the city's signs, or at the meter with a card or coins.
- Check your city's website to see which apps it uses.
What to do if you clicked, paid or shared info
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. These scams are built by professionals. Act quickly, one step at a time.
If you clicked a link or called back
- Close the page. Tell the city or parking operator about the sticker.
If you paid
- Call your card issuer, dispute the charge and get a new card. Report the QR code at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you shared personal info, a password or a code
- If you created an account with a reused password, change it elsewhere too.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
If a message seems legit and you’re still not sure, get a second opinion before you act. Reporting helps stop scammers, even if money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Your bank or card issuer
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to watch the account. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report the scam and get a step-by-step recovery plan. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. Include phone numbers, websites and payment details. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · aarp.org helpline
Free, for anyone of any age: trained volunteers help you sort out next steps. 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - IdentityTheft.gov · IdentityTheft.gov
If you shared your Social Security number or someone opened accounts in your name.
How Gmork Scam Guard would warn you
Scam Guard runs in Chrome and Edge on your computer, so it can't check your phone camera. It does check payment pages and emails you open on your computer, including fake 'parking ticket' messages with QR codes or links, and warns when a page imitates a city service on a lookalike address.
Scam Guard can miss things, so the checks above still matter. See what it warns about and what it keeps private.
Questions people ask
- How can I tell if a parking QR code is real?
- Check that the sticker isn't on top of another one, and make sure the address after scanning matches your city or its official parking app.
- Is it safer to use the parking app?
- Yes, if you download it from the official app store and it's the one your city lists.
- I paid through a fake QR code. Will I get a ticket?
- Possibly, since the city never got the payment. Contact the parking authority, explain, and keep your card dispute records.