Scammers sometimes put fake QR codes on top of real ones at parking meters. When you scan the fake code, it takes you to a page that looks official but is designed to steal your payment card or personal information. You can protect yourself by checking before you scan.
Fake example
“A QR code on a parking meter looks slightly raised or peeling at the edges. You scan it and land on a payment page that asks for your full credit card details, expiration date, and security code—but the web address looks slightly off, like "parkingpayment-meter.example" instead of the official city site.”
A fake QR code covering a real one on a parking meter.
How to tell
The QR code looks like it was added on top of another one, or the edges are peeling or raised
The payment page that loads asks for more information than you'd normally give (full name, date of birth, security code)
The web address in your phone's address bar doesn't match the official city or parking authority website
You're asked to pay a fee or penalty you didn't expect to see
The QR code is in a different color, material, or condition than others nearby
What to do
1Call your bank using the number printed on the back of your card. Do not use any number from the message.
2Tell them you may have typed your card into a fake site. They handle this every day.
3Ask them to watch for or stop any charges you did not make, and to send a new card.
If you already did this
You caught this by checking, and that is exactly the right move. Your bank can replace the card and reverse fraud.
Watch your account over the next few days, and report anything you did not do.
Do not be embarrassed, and do not keep it to yourself. These are built to fool careful people. Acting quickly matters far more than how it happened.
Worth remembering: Scammers cover real QR codes with fake ones to steal your payment information, so always inspect codes for signs of tampering and verify the official payment method with the parking authority before you scan.