A warning has been issued after reports of scammers targeting Lake District car parks with fake QR codes.
Cumbria police said stickers had been placed on payment machines by fraudsters in Windermere’s Broad Street car park, Ambleside’s Low Fold car park, Ferry Nab and Braithwaite Fold, both in Bowness.
Officers said checks were being carried out and fake stickers were being removed.
People are warned to stay vigilant as fraudsters may place fake QR codes in parking areas, including on official signs, to lead users to fraudulent websites designed to steal payment information.
Advice to avoid parking QR code fraud:
- Don’t scan stickers: If the QR code is a sticker, do not scan it. Legitimate operators rarely use stickers.
- Inspect before scanning: Check for signs of tampering, such as a sticker placed over the original, official signage.
- Use official apps or websites: Download the parking app directly from your app store rather than using a scanned link.
- Manually enter URL: If unsure, manually type the official website address into your browser.
- Check the URL: Ensure the website is secure (starts with https://) and matches the official provider.
- Alternative payment: If possible, use the physical parking machine, credit card or cash.
Anyone with information about fraud can contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
