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Auckland Transport is warning motorists not to scan QR codes on parking meters after fraudulent stickers were discovered on several machines in the central city.
Similar codes were discovered in Wellington and Christchurch.
AT head of transport and parking compliance Rick Bidgood said Aucklanders should avoid QR codes on Auckland Transport parking machines and report any suspicious stickers.
“Recently our parking teams have been made aware of a handful of scam QR code stickers that have been placed on AT parking meters in the Auckland city centre.
“AT does not use QR codes on any of our parking meters or machines, so we are warning Aucklanders not to scan any QR codes on AT machines and to please report these stickers to us if they spot them,” he said.
“Our parking officers on the beat are also keeping an eye out for these dodgy QR code stickers so they can remove them and help keep Aucklanders safe from scams.”
Bidgood said Aucklanders can pay for on-street parking and in AT carparks using credit and debit cards at the nearest parking machine and through the AT Park app.
“AT never uses QR codes on parking machines or for parking payments, so our message to Aucklanders is clear – skip the QR codes to stay safe.”
Police are also advising the public to be cautious about where they are providing their credit card details.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton, from the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit, said people should use official apps or parking machines wherever possible.
“Pay close attention when you’re paying for parking. If you are scanning one of these dodgy QR codes, there’s a high chance the website you’re being directed to is being run by an offshore scam centre.
“From there, the scammers will use your credit card details to wreak havoc and attempt to fraudulently use your money.”
Bolton said anyone who entered their details on a fraudulent website should act quickly and contact their bank.
“The sooner you act, the less chance scammers have to do any damage.”
