QR codes have made life easier. Scan, tap, pay, and move on. Unfortunately, scammers know we trust convenience – and they're using it against us.

A fraud tactic involves parking pay stations. Fraudsters place fake QR code stickers directly over legitimate payment instructions. At a quick glance, everything looks official. Scan the code, enter your payment details, and you feel you've paid for parking.

Except maybe you haven't.

Instead, your payment information may be sent to a fraudulent website designed to capture credit card details or process unauthorized charges. Meanwhile, because no payment was actually made to the parking authority, you could return to find a parking ticket waiting on your windshield.

And parking meters aren't the only target.

Similar scams have appeared on bike share stations, transit kiosks, public charging stations, and other self-service systems where people are accustomed to scanning and paying without a second thought as they rush to where they wanted to be.

Before You Scan

Take a quick look at the QR code itself: 

• Does it appear to be a sticker placed over another label?
• Are the edges peeling, bubbling, or misaligned?
• Does the branding look different from the rest of the machine?
• Does the sticker seem newer than the surrounding signage?
• Does the website address look unfamiliar after scanning?

If anything feels off, trust your instincts.

Actual card readers can be scammed too, but it’s far more complex, so not as common. When the choice exists – swipe or insert the payment card for a more secure path to payment.

A 5-Second Check Can Save a Big Headache

Scammers rely on speed, distraction, and routine. A brief pause to inspect a QR code before scanning can help protect your personal information, your credit card, and your wallet.

Because one thing that's worse than overpaying for parking... is paying a scammer and still getting a ticket.