Fake QR Code Scam at city car park payment machines

One driver has fallen victim to accidentally transferring money to fraudsters instead of paying for parking. Northumbria Police and the British Parking Association are aware of the scam.

Sunderland City Council does not use QR codes on any parking machines. If residents or visitors see any QR codes on council parking machines, do not scan them and report them.

The scam involves criminals placing fake QR code stickers next to the official 'pay by phone' signs on parking machines. The fake QR codes appear to offer a quick and easy way to pay for parking by scanning instead of the official payment methods.

However, once scanned, the QR code directs victims to a fraudulent website that mimics a real parking payment portal. Unsuspecting drivers who enter their banking details believe they are paying for parking, but no parking payment is recorded. The scam causes banking information to be stolen and allows criminals to access accounts.

One driver parking at the Sheepfolds had £20 taken from their bank account. They have been advised to contact their bank for reimbursement.

There are no QR codes on City Council parking machines. If you see one it's a fake and do not use it. Council staff have removed all fraudulent QR codes found on ticket pay and display payment machines around the Sheepfolds site. As well as Sheepfolds, fraudulent QR codes were found on Kayll Road, Tunstall Terrace, Farringdon Way, Waterworks Road and Johnson Street. A total of 27 fake QR codes were removed. Parking machines in the affected areas are being checked daily. However, we are not ruling out the possibility that other car parks may be targeted.

The council is urging people to be vigilant when parking and only use the official RingGo app.

Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero, Councillor Lindsey Leonard said: "We've acted quickly to remove the fake QR codes and are checking machines daily, but it's vital that drivers remain cautious. These scams are designed to catch people off guard, and we don't want anyone else to lose money to these fraudsters."

Residents and visitors are reminded that neither the City Council nor RingGo, the official parking payment provider, use QR codes for payment. Instead, drivers should continue using the official RingGo app, website, or pay-by-phone number to ensure their transactions are secure.

Suspicious QR codes can be reported to Parking via [email protected] or by calling our City and Neighbourhood Team on 0191 520 5550.

Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to one of the scams, is urged to contact their bank or card payment provider. We also ask that you report it independently to the police who are further investigating this scam.