The City of Vancouver is alerting residents and visitors to a new scam that uses text messages and QR codes to defraud drivers. Scammers send fake parking ticket notices via text, urging recipients to scan a QR code to pay a fine. Once scanned, the code leads to a fraudulent payment site that steals financial information.
How the Scam Works
Victims receive a text message claiming they have an overdue parking ticket. The message includes a QR code for quick payment. However, the City of Vancouver does not issue parking tickets via text or use QR codes for payments. Officials urge anyone who receives such a message to delete it immediately and not scan the code.
Official Warning
The city’s parking enforcement department stated that all legitimate parking tickets are issued in person or by mail. They emphasized that no official communication will request payment through unsolicited text messages or QR codes. Residents should verify any ticket by contacting the city directly.
Protecting Yourself
- Do not scan QR codes from unknown or unsolicited messages.
- Verify parking tickets by checking the city’s official website or calling the parking office.
- Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or local police.
This scam is part of a growing trend of QR code fraud, where criminals exploit the convenience of contactless payments. The City of Vancouver advises staying vigilant and only using official payment methods.
