Car Parking Scam

Tonight 4th April 2026, I have just had it reported that a QR scam is appearing in Shrewsbury carparks in Shropshire. This scam is simple and effective and allows for pay as you go parking using QR codes where the official code on the parking meter has been covered (apparently you can barely see it) by a new sticker giving a new QR code.

How to keep yourself safe using QR codes for parking? Parkers are not only paying scammers but also getting fines by the carpark as a double whammy. Here's what to do....

Take a photograph of the QR code and store it on your mobile for a few weeks. If you do not hear anything, it is safe to assume the carpark has not been attacked. If you get a letter through the post saying you have not paid, be proactive, reply nicely explaining that you paid the QR code displayed and that they have a certain responsibility to make sure their signs are correct and not vandalised or scammed, include your photograph and allow the car parking owners to do the leg work finding the criminals. Whilst this is a low level crime per user this mounts considerably into the thousands on a busy carpark.