Motorists on the Isle of Wight are being warned of 2 potential parking scams designed to trick people into paying the fraudsters.
The first involves scammers placing fake QR codes disguised as ‘quick pay’ options on parking meters. People scan the code and enter their credit card information thinking they are paying for the space, but instead, it directs them to a fake website where scammers capture their payment details.
A motorist recently had money taken from their bank account after trying to pay for parking in Sandown using a false QR code stuck to the machine. They were later made aware of the fraud by their credit card company.
Following the report, the council said parking meters were being checked for the stickers and emphasised that its pay and display machines do not offer payment via a QR code.
Meanwhile, parking payment app provider, PayByPhone, has warned of bogus websites created in an attempt to impersonate theirs and dupe drivers into entering their bank details. These sites require people to register, then ask for their credit or debit card details and charge a subscription.
PayByPhone says it does not provide any subscription service and will never charge your card without your authorisation.
The company said it was working with the relevant authorities to have the false sites removed. It said the authentic PayByPhone website remained a secure platform with the highest level of security for processing payments.
To avoid these scams, the safest and most secure way to use PayByPhone remains:
- Download the PaybyPhone app directly from the App Store or Google Play Store
- Visit the official website by entering PayByPhone.co.uk directly into the search bar
- Dial 0330 400 7275 to use the automated phone line
Number 3 the council have been scamming us for years
There is actually 3 parking scams the Isle of Wight council are also in on it
No this isn’t the answer, I did download the app when trying to pay for parking at the fastcat, took all my details said it would send a verification code but didn’t, then payments to a company called luvstreettech started taking small payments from my account which got larger, after 3 Attempts contacting my bank they finally stopyyhe payments and reimbursed, it’s not easy though
You clearly didn’t download the PayByPhone app. I suspect you were taken to the scam site mentioned in the article.
Did you download it directly from the Apple or Android store? Did you ensure it was the official app? Searching for PayByPhone on the Android Play Store returns the official app as the first hit. There really is no excuse for getting it wrong.
The PayByPhone app is used by thousands every day. I use it when a parking meter won’t take contactless payment. It isn’t going to suddenly go rogue on one person.
I already have that app but to park at the fast cat you need to pay RingGo and that’s what I tried to download
Best way to be safe don’t use them at all and go back to putting actual real money in a slot. Sloved, good bye scammers, bank account safe. Used to feel safe (and rich) with money in my pocket now it’s card only on most things. Bring back the old cash is king.
Cash is actually far less safe than a debit card.
Criminals watch how people pay in shops and who takes money out of ATMs and deliberately target those people.
Go into a supermarket and pay for something with a stolen card and it is straightforward to link the card use with CCTV. Go in with stolen cash and you are unlikely to be caught.
There is also the little point that if my card is stolen and used by a criminal I am likely to get the amount refunded by my bank. If you get cash stolen, it’s gone.
Yes, you can’t be scammed out of cash, but most of these scams are pathetically obvious and only the truly gullible are fooled by them.
Yet again the geriatric old fartery downvoting because they don’t like being told the truth.
Cards are safer than cash. Fact. Like it or not.
Yep.
These old coots see something they don’t like and just hit the downvote button. They think they are better than the young because they have been around a lot more.
If they are so clever then why is it invariably oldies that fall for these obvious scams?
The biggest scammers are the Council themselves.
24/7 parking charges on the Island
I am surprised the council do not charge Households parking permits for the number of vehicles they own.
Some households have 1 vehicle and some have 4 or more.
“NOT FAIR WHEN TRYING TO PARK WHEN RETURNING HOME FROM WORK”
Parking permits would be the fair way, better than raising Council Tax.
Eg an Household with 4 or more people living there, all with a vehicle, all creating more
Rubbish.
Pay the same council tax as a Household with only 2 persons living there.
Technology at it’s best, when will these big companies learn that there are more intelligent persons on the planet trying to raise scams in every avenue of life. Every car park, Council owned or private should give people the chance to pay by cash. I have been caught out by scammers, and I am reluctant to pay for anything on my mobile phone, it is getting far to easy for the “unauthorised” to get access.
Biggest parking scam is somerton park and ride !!!!!
Where are the signs saying pay to park ??????
Went in there yesterday am lot’s people getting out of car’s with kid’s going to school, trying to avoid them so concentrate on where they are !!!!!
Got on bus paid £3-80 return …
Came back parking ticket £50 or ‘£25 if paid in 14 days walked around found parking meter where bin used to be by bus stop …..
Big joke who knows if they have not used this for ages ????
More money for the pension pot thieving swines……
Park and rides are usually free to park on the mainland! You just pay your fee on the bus. Totally unfair if there are not visible signs and you may have a good case for recourse. They must by law have signs of a certain height and visibility around the whole site and at the entrance to the site. If not then you can argue it.
Each of the so called cost cutting attempts by the council, they rebound onto the the customer. If its ANPR, text, App or QR code to pay there is always a problem that impacts onto the customer by either not working or open to fraud. NEVER HAD THIS IN THE OLD DAYS OF PARKING METERS OR PAY AND DISPLAY TICKET OR ATTENDANT.
Then go back to the “prehistoric” way of payment only which I prefer anyway by putting money in.
I know we are heading down a more technical future but not everything benefits. At least that way noone can get hold of any details .
There’s been parking scams going on for years. We all pay road tax, council tax, etc etc, and the council put up parking meters so we have to pay again for what we’ve already paid for. And they get away with it!!
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