Scammers are putting fake QR codes on parking meters to steal credit card information. How to protect yourself

That’s what police say happened in New York, where drivers were targeted by fake QR codes placed on parking meters. NBC New York reports that investigators arrested suspect Mihai Theodor Enescu in connection with the scheme.

Enescu has pleaded not guilty. When questioned about the alleged scheme, he denied knowing what police were referring to and said he works for Amazon.

However, the overall issue has caught the attention of the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC warned in September about QR-code scams in public places, including parking areas.

How the parking QR code scam works

The easiest way to avoid this particular scam may also be the least convenient: Don’t blindly trust the QR code sitting on the meter.

In the New York case, police say fake codes were placed on parking meters and directed drivers to websites that appeared to be legitimate payment pages. A driver could scan the code, enter the requested information, and continue on without realizing the code had been replaced.

So, look closely at the code and the area around it. Does it look like it was stuck on top of another code? Is there a sticker that’s peeling, crooked, or covering information that should be visible? If something looks off, don’t scan it.

You can also check whether the parking operator has an official app or website and enter the information yourself rather than following an unfamiliar QR code.

If you do scan, pay attention to the website address before entering your credit card number. The FTC recommends looking for misspellings, swapped letters, or other signs that the URL isn’t the legitimate site you expected.

And don’t assume a website is legitimate just because it looks professional. A fake payment page can look a lot like the real one.

What to do if you’ve already scanned the code

If you’ve already scanned a suspicious QR code and entered your credit card information, call the card issuer and let them know what happened. They can tell you whether the card needs to be cancelled and replaced. If it was a debit card, call your bank.