Drivers in an inner-London borough are being warned of a QR code parking scam to trick motorists into fake payments.
The phony QR stickers, found in six locations across Kensington and Chelsea in January so far, pose as genuine methods of payment for parking in the borough.
In a warning, the council urged motorists to be on the look-out for the scam, and said they were removing any of the stickers reported to them.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, RBKC’s lead member for planning and place, said: “This is an urgent warning to protect drivers in Kensington and Chelsea.
“If you use a QR code to pay for parking in Kensington and Chelsea, I guarantee that you are paying scammers instead of the Council. Our parking system does not use QR codes at all. Instead you can pay in the PayByPhone app or over the phone.
“Our officers are removing these fake signs as quickly as we spot them but we want to make sure visitors and residents don’t fall foul of this cruel hoax which has been blighting other areas of London too.”
The stickers have so far been seen in several locations around Kensington High Street, Sloane Square and King’s Road including Campden Hill Road, Draycott Avenue, Coulson Street, Blacklands Terrace, Culford Gardens, Bray Place and Lincoln Street.
Officials are warning that anyone falling prey to the scam could be doubly hit - as not only would fraudsters obtain your financial information, you may also be fined for not paying for parking.
The council uses the PayByPhone app, which also has a dedicated number, to handle parking payments.
Residents are being advised to inform the police on 111 or the Council via enquiries@rbkcparking.com if they spot any scam QR codes on parking signage.
