Scammers have found a sneaky new way to target tourists and drivers across France: fake QR codes on parking meters.
Known as "Quishing," this scam lures victims into entering personal and payment details on fraudulent websites.
How Does the Scam Work?
Scammers place fake QR code stickers on parking meters, covering legitimate ones. Drivers scan the fake codes, leading them to phishing websites designed to mimic parking payment services.
These sites ask for your parking details, license plate, and payment card information—and then steal it. Some victims are even tricked into entering multiple card details after being told their initial payment “failed.”
To add insult to injury people who get scammed like this won't have paid for their parking either, so you will be hit with a hefty parking fine from the legitimate car park owners as well!
Why Are Tourists Targeted?
Tourist hotspots are prime locations for these scams. Visitors are often unfamiliar with local parking apps and rely on QR codes for convenience. In recent months, French cities like Paris, Nice, and Marseille have reported a surge in such scams, following a similar wave in the UK.
Throughout the whole of the UK it is happening now, though mainly in busy city centre car parks. Southampton Council and many other councils have been trying to combat this for a while.
Protect Yourself
To avoid falling victim:
Download apps only from official sources: Use the Apple App Store, Google Play, or the parking provider's website.
Avoid scanning random QR codes: Check for suspicious stickers or signs that look out of place.
Double-check website URLs: Legitimate parking services won’t use strange domain names like “.click” or “.info.”
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What Should You Do if You’re Targeted?
If you think you’ve fallen for this scam, act quickly:
Contact your bank to report the fraud and cancel your card. Report the scam to the local authorities. In France, you can file a complaint at the nearest police station.
By staying alert, you can ensure your road trip remains stress-free and scam-free.
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