Car parking scams to watch out for - and how to protect yourself

Scammers are getting more creative and convincing, and motorists are often the target.

From fake QR codes to dodgy attendants, here are the most common car parking scams and how you can stay safe.

Fake QR codes

Fraudsters stick fake QR codes over real ones on parking machines. When you scan the code, it takes you to a fake website designed to steal your card details and payment.

How to protect yourself:

• Always check QR codes closely before scanning.
• Look for signs of tampering like peeling stickers or misaligned labels.
• If something doesn’t look right, don’t scan it.

PIN ‘registration’ scams

In this scam, you’re told to insert your bank card into a machine and say your PIN out loud to ‘register’ it. The machine then traps your card, and the scammer, having overheard your PIN, retrieves the card and empties your account.

In one case in Leicestershire, a victim lost £1,300 this way.

How to protect yourself:

• You will never be asked to say your PIN out loud. 
• If anyone tells you otherwise, walk away and don’t use the machine.
• Call the police if something feels suspicious, especially if you’re elderly or vulnerable, as scammers often target older people.

Fake car park attendants

Believe it or not, scammers have posed as parking attendants to collect payments.

At Bristol Zoo, one man ran this scam for 20 years, charging visitors and pocketing the cash.

More recently in Surrey, a man used a fake card machine to collect payments. The machine swallowed cards, which were then stolen and misused.

How to protect yourself:

• Ask to see official ID if someone claims to work for the car park.
• Never hand over your card or cash to someone using a portable machine.
• Only pay through official machines or apps displayed on signs in a car park.
• If you're unsure, report suspicious behaviour to police via 101. 

Fake windscreen tickets

Scammers leave fake parking fines on windscreens, asking you to pay online, often through PayPal or a QR code. The links take you to scam websites that collect your payment and personal information.

How to protect yourself:

• A real ticket should include your car registration, the date/time, and location of the offence.
• If that information is missing, it’s likely to be fake.
• Look for official logos and compare contact information to your local council or parking provider’s website.
• If you’re still unsure, call the issuing authority directly using their official contact information.

SMS parking scams

You might get a text saying you owe money for a parking fine, with a link to pay. But the link leads to a fake site meant to steal your details.

How to protect yourself:

• Parking tickets are not paid through text messages.
• Never click on links in unexpected texts.
• Report scam texts by forwarding them to 7726 for free.

Phishing emails about parking fines

Scammers also send fake emails pretending to be from your local council or parking authority, claiming you owe a fine. The email usually contains a link to a fraudulent payment site.

How to protect yourself:

• Check the web address (URL) to make sure it’s the official site.
• Look for red flags such as bad spelling, a strange sender email and urgent language.
• Never give out your bank details or personal info unless you’re sure the email is genuine.

How to report a scam

If you think you’ve been targeted or fallen for a scam, here’s what to do:

• Forward scam texts to 7726, the free reporting service.
• If you gave away personal or financial information, contact your bank immediately.
• If you've lost money, report it to your bank and Action Fraud  (or Police Scotland if you're in Scotland).
• For cyber-related scams, you can also report it to the National Cyber Security Centre.