MOTORISTS are being warned of a huge scam taking place across one county.
Dublin City Council has issued an alert to drivers, after fake QR codes were found.
The QR code takes you to a fake website[/caption]
This could potentially scam the public out of thousands, as they look very similar.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the team warned: “We have been made aware of fake QR codes being placed on a number of Pay and Display parking machines in the Wicklow County Council area.
“We are advising all users not to scan any QR codes that may appear on Pay and Display machines or Payzone signage.
“If you notice anything suspicious please contact Payzone or the Gardai.”
Now, many people use QR codes to visit a website in order to pay for their parking online.
And this could cause chaos among drivers – both by being scammed out of money, but also for potentially then not having a valid parking ticket.
Wicklow County Council also shared a warning to the public surrounding the dodgy QR codes.
In a post on X, they wrote: “WARNING. Wicklow County Council was recently made aware of a QR code scam on Pay and Display Machines in the County, where a bogus QR sticker was placed on some machines and Payzone signage.
“This QR code sticker brings the user to a fraudulent cloned website which requests credit card details and other personal data.
“We have reported this to Payzone. As a precaution, Wicklow County Council are advising all users not to scan any QR codes or bar codes that may appear on Pay and Display machines or Payzone signage.
‘BE CAREFUL’
“Users are advised to pay for parking online, to download the genuine Payzone parking app directly on your phone, or pay by card or cash where available.
“We encourage everyone to be careful when paying online, and to ensure they are using a genuine app. The video was taken earlier today.”
In the post, it shows the QR on a blue sticker which reads: “Parking Meter.
“Contactless Parking Payments”.
It then explains there are three ways to pay – by texting ‘pay’ to a phone number, downloading the app or scanning the QR code.
The person then tears off the sticker, revealing it was placed on top of another.
