Auckland motorists are being warned to stop and look before they scan, after fraudulent QR code stickers were discovered on parking meters in the central city.
Auckland Transport says a handful of its parking machines have been targeted by scammers placing fake QR codes on the meters in an attempt to direct motorists to fraudulent payment websites.
The warning follows similar discoveries in Wellington and Christchurch and raises concerns the parking scam is being rolled out across major New Zealand cities.
The most important message from AT is simple: Auckland Transport does not use QR codes on its parking meters or machines.
If there is a QR code attached to an AT parking machine, motorists should not scan it.
SCAMMERS TARGETING PEOPLE TRYING TO PAY
AT Head of Transport and Parking Compliance Rick Bidgood says parking teams have recently identified scam QR code stickers attached to meters in Auckland’s city centre.
The concern is that motorists accustomed to scanning QR codes for everyday payments may assume the stickers provide a legitimate way to pay for parking.
Instead, scanning one of the fraudulent codes can take users to a fake website designed to collect payment and credit card information.
AT parking officers are now watching for suspicious QR code stickers while carrying out their normal duties and removing them when discovered.
Members of the public are also being encouraged to report suspicious stickers.
USE THE APP OR THE PARKING MACHINE
Aucklanders can safely pay for on-street parking and at AT car parks using the AT Park app, or by using an accepted credit or debit card at the appropriate parking machine.
AT says QR codes are not part of its parking payment system.
That provides motorists with an easy way of identifying a potential scam.
If a QR code appears on an Auckland Transport parking meter, don’t use it.
The warning is particularly important because fraudulent stickers can be designed to look professional and may be positioned over or alongside legitimate payment information.
POLICE WARN OF OFFSHORE SCAM OPERATIONS
Police say people should be extremely cautious about where they enter their credit card information.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton from the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit says some fraudulent QR codes can redirect victims to websites operated by overseas scam networks.
Once payment details are entered, criminals may attempt to use the card information for fraudulent transactions.
Police recommend using official parking applications and payment machines rather than following links generated by unfamiliar QR codes.
SCANNED ONE? CONTACT YOUR BANK
Anyone who believes they have entered their banking or card information into a fraudulent parking website is being urged to act immediately.
Contact your bank or card provider as soon as possible, explain what has happened and follow its advice about blocking or replacing the affected card and monitoring transactions.
People should also check their accounts for unfamiliar payments.
The faster potentially compromised banking information is reported, the greater the opportunity to prevent further losses.
Anyone who witnesses a parking machine being tampered with can contact Police or report the incident through the 105 Police reporting service.
A SIMPLE RULE FOR AUCKLAND DRIVERS
QR codes have become an increasingly familiar way of accessing menus, paying bills and connecting to online services, which also makes them attractive to scammers.
A sticker can be placed over legitimate signage within seconds, while the fraudulent website it directs people to can be designed to resemble a genuine payment portal.
For Auckland motorists, however, there is one straightforward rule that removes much of that risk:
AT parking meters don’t use QR codes.
Use the official AT Park app or the payment options provided directly on the parking machine.
And if you see a QR code stuck to an AT meter, don’t scan it — report it.
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