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City warns of QR code scam on parking machines in Ottawa

A fake QR code sticker is being placed on posters near parking machines. (The City of Ottawa)

By Natasha O'Neill

Posted Aug 12, 2024 11:33:47 AM.

Last Updated Aug 13, 2024 09:02:44 AM.

The City of Ottawa is alerting residents to a new scam on parking machines that sends people to a fake PayByPhone website.

The QR code is a sticker placed on real city posters that leads people to a fraudulent website. The stickers are near city-run parking machines.

“Residents are asked not to scan any QR code that has been placed on a Pay & Display machine, as the city does not include this option on the machines,” a statement reads.

Anyone who has fallen victim to the scam are being asked to verify with their credit card company and contact Ottawa police.

There are 650 Pay & Display machines around the nation’s capital and staff are inspecting them all to remove any of the stickers.

The public is being asked to report the QR code by calling 3-1-1 to alert staff so that the stickers can be removed immediately.

The city asks residents to pay for parking by an official app for iPhone and Android.

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