In Kelowna, B.C., authorities discovered fraudulent QR codes affixed to 75 parking meters. Dave Duncan, the city’s parking services manager, explained that the decals covered the tap readers on the machines.
Unauthorized Stickers Lead to Scam Site
City officials confirmed the QR codes received no approval from the municipality or its mobile payment partner, PayByPhone. Although the stickers promoted an easy parking payment method, they directed users to a bogus website.
“We don’t use QR codes on our pay stations or anywhere near our equipment because we’ve had the occasional issue of QR codes being placed on our metres,” Duncan stated.
Staff spotted the decals on February 12, and crews swiftly removed all 75 within hours. No drivers appear to have fallen for the scheme so far.
Since the stickers mimicked the PayByPhone logo, the city alerted the company, which promptly blocked the fraudulent site.
Similar Scams Hit Nearby Areas
Kelowna faces this issue alongside others. Recent QR code fraud surfaced in Whistler parking lots, and Penticton police issued warnings last August about identical tactics.
Neesha Hothi of the Better Business Bureau noted, “We see this not just with parking meters but other places QR codes are used. It’s often an opportunity for scammers to send you somewhere else versus the actual official space.”
Tips to Avoid QR Code Scams
The Better Business Bureau advises steering clear of QR codes on public devices when feasible, opting for cash payments if available. “Ensure that you go specifically to their home app if you’ve got that app on your phone, or if they have a website you can go to directly,” Hothi recommended.
City surveillance footage recorded three suspects placing the decals around 7 p.m. on February 11. The RCMP is probing the incident but has not announced any arrests.
