DRIVERS have been left red-faced after falling victim to a scam when they thought they were paying for parking.
Unassuming road users have used their cell phones to scan a sticker, but this action has seen some slapped with charges.
Fraudulent stickers have been put on parking meters[/caption]
Some parking meters have fake QR codes slapped on them, meaning drivers are at risk of having personal data stolen by unscrupulous scammers.
This is known as a so-called quishing scam.
Audrey Bissonnett admitted that she had scanned a fake QR code.
“I do it all the time,” she told the CBS affiliate KCNC-TV.
“Typically, I’ve scanned that and paid for that.”
Drivers have fallen victim to the parking scams because fraudsters have managed to make the QR codes look real.
But, officials have revealed how the scams can be spotted.
Sometimes, there may be spelling mistakes on the label.
Drivers in Denver, Colorado, have been impacted by the scam.
City officials have urged drivers who have been hit with a penalty to come forward.
They can challenge parking tickets online.
Drivers should look out for a green dot on the sticker, which means the QR code is legitimate.
But, officials across the US have warned about the risks of parking scams.
Transport chiefs in New York City have urged drivers who spot fake QR codes on parking meters to report them.
Drivers have been urged not to share their personal data.
How to fight a parking ticket
You can avoid being ticketed by following all posted laws and ordinances, but sometimes mistakes are made
Like any form of citation, parking tickets are preventable by reading and obeying posted signage. However, when visiting a new city, or state, or in a hurry, things can be missed and mistakes are made.
Suddenly there’s a ticket you weren’t prepared to pay for. If the ticket is a surprise to you, there are a few things you can do to help your case when appealing a parking ticket.
- Carefully read the ticket. Look for errors like incorrect street names, license plate numbers, vehicle make and model, time and date, etc. Errors would then make the ticket invalid.
- Take photos. Of the vehicle in the parking space, lack of signage, or other vehicles that weren’t cited for performing the same parking job. If the ticket involves parking too close to something like a fire hydrant, a photo showing a reasonable distance would help your case. Make sure metadata with the time and date are accessible. Signs that are obstructed by trees, or are on bent posts, or aren’t “obvious” are great things to photograph, too.
- Make sure the statute that was violated is listed on the ticket. If not listed, the ticket is not valid.
- Promptly follow the appeal instructions on the ticket. All legitimate tickets will have directions for appeal. Waiting until the very last moment weakens your argument and can result in late fees.
- When in court, avoid these phrases as they reduce your credibility and weaken your argument: I didn’t know the law; I was on my way to move my car; I can’t afford this ticket; I’ve been doing this for years; or I checked with the parking officer, who said it was OK.
- Contact a lawyer. If you’re running into roadblocks and feel stuck, it may be best to reach out to a traffic lawyer in your area. Many have free case consultations.
Source: Reader’s Digest
Americans driving in New York City can pay for parking using the city’s official app or at a physical terminal.
But, inspectors are searching parking meters across the city to ensure no fraudulent QR codes have been added.
Drivers who fall victim to any parking scam have been urged to contact their bank as well as the police, as per a memo produced by the city’s Department of Transportation.
Ydanis Rodriguez, the New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner, urged drivers to look out for any scams.
“Consumers beware: scammers are targeting parking meters, and we want you to be vigilant,” Rodriguez said.
“If you see a QR code on a parking meter, do not scan it and please report it.”
Officials at Coast Hills Credit Union have offered tips to drivers so they don’t get caught out at the meter.
Drivers are encouraged to check the meter before entering any personal data.
They should check the website’s URL to make sure it looks legitimate.
Drivers can give themselves an extra layer of security by double-checking the payment tool is legitimate via their cell phone app store.
And, they should keep an eye on their emails for payment confirmation notices.
