Motorists in west London have been alerted to fraudulent parking payment QR codes being utilized by scammers.
The Kensington and Chelsea council reported that these QR codes were being affixed to signage in at least six locations across the borough earlier this January.
Cem Kemahli, the council’s primary representative for planning and place, condemned the QR codes as a “despicable scam” that has also been affecting other areas of the city.
The council assured that its parking and street enforcement personnel acted promptly to remove the fraudulent stickers upon discovery.
“If you employ a QR code to settle parking fees in Kensington and Chelsea, you can be assured that your payment is going to con artists rather than the council,” Mr. Kemahli stated.
“Our parking system does not incorporate QR codes at any point. Payments can be made via the PayByPhone app or over the phone instead.”
The areas preyed upon by these scammers included neighborhoods near Kensington High Street, Sloane Square, and King’s Road, specifically Campden Hill Road, Draycott Avenue, Coulson Street, Blacklands Terrace, Culford Gardens, Bray Place, and Lincoln Street.
Drivers who engage with the QR codes risk unintentionally sharing their financial details with scammers and could also face parking fines imposed by the council.
A similar advisory was issued by the council last May after fraudulent QR codes appeared in Sloane Gardens and Bourne Street.
Residents who encounter a suspicious QR code in the area are encouraged to report it to the council via email.
