BRIT drivers have been warned of a new parking scam plaguing three major holiday hotspots.
The cunning ploy has been designed to trick tourists and locals into handing over their cash and important data through a hoax QR code system on parking meters.
So far the scammers have targeted two Welsh seafronts in Llandudno and Colwyn Bay in recent weeks as well as busy areas in Somerset.
The fake barcodes are placed next to the meters where people typically pay but instead of issuing you a ticket to confirm a payment they take you to a fraudulent website.
Here, motorists are being promoted to insert their details onto the fake system where the scammers can access their details to steal their payment.
The trio of affected spots all use the same system to pay for parking through the PayByPhone app.
The system is available through a website or by calling an automated phone line where the driver can pay.
Motorists can also download the PayByPhone app directly to their phone.
Somerset councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for transport and digital, said: “PayByPhone has a secure system for online payments for customers using the correct apps and payment methods.
“It is understood a very small number of scams have taken place due to a fraudulent QR code. Please stay vigilant and safe.
“Unfortunately, we must be alert to scams on a regular basis. Stay safe and if unsure use another form of payment such as a trusted app. If you see any fraudulent QR codes, then please report it to the police by calling 101.”
Wales‘ Conwy Council also warned that the scam can leave drivers out of pocket twice as they may think they’ve paid to park but due to the hoax QR code will be caught out.
They have advised victims of the sneaky trick to contact their bank immediately to prevent any more money being taken out.
It comes as a woman claims to have been handed £11,000 in parking fines thanks to a “ridiculous” five-minute rule despite paying for a permit.
The restriction was reportedly introduced to stop loitering but is allegedly having a severe impact on drivers parking legitimately.
A second disgruntled lady says she is facing a parking fine every day simply for stopping outside her own home amid a resident’s permit row.
The area is “heavily oversubscribed” as it is close to a train station, and the frustrated driver says she is forced to fight for limited unrestricted bays.
Annabelle Le Clerq held a resident’s permit for her street in Brighton for over six years.
However, when it expired on July 4, the 44-year-old allegedly missed the renewal date by just three days, which she partly blames on brain fog as a result of perimenopause.
The local council claims that she also missed the date in 2023 but was allowed to renew late “as a one-off”, only for her to miss the 2024 renewal as well.
As a result, her permit was revoked and she was placed on a waiting list for new applications.
