If you frequently park on Atlanta streets or in parking lots, be careful the next time you scan a QR code to pay. Scammers are creating fake QR codes and placing them in high-traffic areas to steal your payment information.
Local residents Drew Dutson and Emily Love are speaking out after nearly falling victim to this scam while on a date night in Midtown. The couple wants to ensure others stay aware of the growing threat.
"We didn't scan it because we weren't sure if they were going to take our information instantly or take us to a fake website," Drew said. "From now on, we're sticking with either using a parking app or texting the number on the meter."
According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers can easily generate fraudulent QR codes, print them on stickers, and place them over legitimate ones. Victims who scan and pay through these fake codes may lose both their payment information and risk returning to find their cars towed or ticketed for non-payment.
Here’s how to avoid becoming a victim:
- Always use a parking app, like ParkMobile, or pay directly through the meter.
- If you must scan a QR code, carefully inspect it. Look for misspellings, blurry logos, or unusual website URLs.
- Be cautious of short links in the QR code's URL, which could indicate a fraudulent site.
- Consider using a QR code scanner that can help detect suspicious activity.