New York City’s transportation department issued a consumer alert on the 6th, warning that unidentified individuals have been sticking stickers with QR codes on some parking meters in the city, enticing drivers to enter sensitive information such as credit card details on third-party websites, posing a potential fraud risk.
The department revealed that at least one parking meter has been illegally affixed with the said QR code. Unwitting residents may inadvertently input their personal payment information on unofficial websites. The transportation department emphasized that the legitimate ways to pay for parking in New York City are limited to the official ParkNYC application or directly using a credit card at the parking meter. Any QR code posted on the meter is not official, and the public is urged not to scan or provide any payment information.
In response to this incident, the transportation department has implemented a series of measures, including sending notifications to users through the ParkNYC app to explain the correct payment methods and fraud risks. They have also set up a hotline and email address for the public to report suspicious QR codes. The hotline number is 1-800-428-4027, and the email address is parknyc@flowbirdapp.com.
The department advised that if residents suspect they have fallen victim to fraud, they should promptly contact their bank or credit card company and report to law enforcement. At the same time, they should report the location of the parking meter to ParkNYC.