Fake QR Codes Found On Pay-To-Park Meters In Downtown Austin

Austin TX

04 January, 2022

10:00 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — The Austin Police Department are warning residents to be weary of a scam using fraudulent QR codes on downtown parking meters. Officials said the stickers were found over the weekend on more than 24 pay stations across the city. People attempting to pay for parking using those QR codes may have been directed to a fraudulent website and submitted payment to a fraudulent vendor, police said in a statement on Monday. 🚨Scam Alert🚨 APD Financial Crimes detectives are investigating after fraudulent QR code stickers were discovered on City of Austin public parking meters. People attempting to pay for parking using those QR codes may have been directed to a fraudulent website and made a payment. pic.twitter.com/Gb8gytCYn7— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) January 3, 2022 "Any person that believes they were a victim of a credit card breach as a result of recent parking meter payments should file a police report and notify their card issuer immediately," police said. Austin Transportation said Monday that residents should never use a QR code to pay to park on Austin city streets. People should only use the Park ATX app or pay directly at a pay station. The department's parking enforcement team will continue inspecting more than 900 pay stations to make sure there are no other fraudulent codes stuck to them. In the meantime, anyone who sees someone tampering with a pay station who is not a badged City of Austin employee can call 911. Residents can also file a report by calling 3-1-1 or going to ireportaustin.com if they believe they were a victim of this scam.