Overview

• Action Fraud says quishing has cost victims nearly £3.5 million in a year, with criminals using counterfeit QR stickers in car parks to harvest payment details.
• Birmingham Live reports that bogus codes often look hastily applied or misaligned and may redirect to URLs with subtle typos or prompt unnecessary app downloads.
• Motorists are urged to pause before paying, check for official signage on machines or boards, and use a provider’s official app or website accessed directly.
• Guidance advises paying at the machine with cash or card where possible and using a phone’s built‑in QR scanner rather than third‑party apps.
• Experts note that QR codes hide their destination by design, and drivers are told to report suspected scams to Action Fraud or contact the organisation or their bank if unsure.