SCAM ALERT: Fake/fraudulent QR codes being placed on parking meters! Of note, the Wellesley Police Department has not received any reports of this occurring in Wellesley, but Chief Pilecki wanted to notify residents of this scam.
Police Departments in the United States have recently reported fraudulent QR code stickers placed on parking meters disguised as “quick pay” options to steal unsuspecting parkers’ payment information. This new phishing attack tactic uses the QR code to direct unsuspecting users to a fraudulent website to enter payment details to pay for their parking. Instead of paying for the parking spot, victims are unknowing handing banking and credit card information directly to scammers. This scam is enticing because QR codes are known for speed and convenience, so a user might prefer this method over having to download an app from the app store.
The Town of Wellesley does not use a QR code to make payments at parking meters.
Wellesley parking lots and parking meters do have mobile pay options. These options are offered by Pay-by-Phone and Passport. In order to use either vendor the user MUST first download that vendor’s mobile application from the Apple App Store or Google App Store. After downloading the preferred app, the user will set up an account with that vendor and use the location number of that particular meter or parking lot to pay for their parking session. Our parking lots and parking meters DO NOT use QR codes for any parking payments. If you see a QR code on one of our meters or signs report it to the Wellesley Police Department and DO NOT use it to pay for parking.
Town of Wellesley parking meters and signs will look similar to the image below:
