Drivers are being warned to be on the look-out after scammers posted fake QR codes on pay-and-display parking machines in Trafford.
Parking wardens working for Trafford Council discovered four of the bogus barcodes at the Oakland’s Drive car park, Sale. Further inspections revealed more codes on machines at Warrener St and Hampson Street, Sale Moor.
The QR codes were quickly removed and officers will be checking all machines across the borough on a regular basis to protect drivers from the fraudsters.
Council car parks in Trafford do not use QR codes.
Cllr Rose Thompson, Executive Member for Communities and Safety, said:
“These scammers will stop at nothing to defraud innocent people of their money.
“It’s happened in other parts of the UK and people have lost thousands of pounds after inputting their details into the fake website.
“We urge people to be careful. When it comes to paying at a Council-owned car park, please use your card or download the RingGo app to your Smartphone.”
The RingGo app is available for Council car parks in Trafford. The free app allows drivers to check how long they have left before they must return to their car – or they can top up their parking payment on the app if they need more time.
