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Attention: Fraudsters are pasting over QR codes on parking meters in the Harz!
Goslar warns against fraud at parking machines: Incorrect QR codes lead to financial losses. Find out more now!
Attention: Fraudsters are pasting over QR codes on parking meters in the Harz!
In the picturesque Harz, a popular destination for locals and tourists, fraudsters have become active and are primarily relying on manipulated QR codes on parking machines. The Reporting by News38 reveals that the police in both Bad Harzburg and Goslar are urgently warning against this new scam. More and more cities are switching to convenient parking via app, where the parking zone and license plate can be easily entered. But the joy of this relief could quickly turn into frustration.
The fraudsters are taking advantage of the increasing popularity of these digital payment methods and sticking fake QR codes on top of the real ones on the machines. An unsuspecting user who scans such a code is redirected to a fake website where their payment details can be stolen. This can result in real financial losses for those affected. A dramatic incident, as the police warning shows, was averted by quickly contacting the bank when a four-digit sum was about to be withdrawn.
Where are the dangers lurking?
In November 2024, the first fake QR codes were discovered at parking meters in Lower Saxony. These brown “cards” lead in a simple but nasty way to links that actually only serve the purpose of obtaining credit card information. The Police prevention reports situations in which users in Bad Harzburg and Goslar encountered such incorrect codes - with expensive consequences. The gang appears to be broad-based, as similar scams have also been reported in cities such as Celle, Hanover and even in North Rhine-Westphalia (Cologne, Dortmund).
These stickers are usually professionally designed and often feature well-known logos, such as PayByPhone's, to make a real impression. The ADAC emphasizes that users should be particularly careful if they see QR codes on machines that are covered over. “Quishing” – a new form of phishing via QR codes – is currently on the rise and requires a high level of skepticism from users.
Prevention and recommendations for action
The police strongly advise you to be skeptical about suspicious stickers. Especially if the codes are easily removable or do not clearly belong to the official provider. Users should notify their bank and request a statement review if they have fallen victim to this scam. The ADAC also recommends that you only download parking apps directly from the app store and that you should use cash or credit cards when paying at machines instead of paying cashlessly using unknown links.
In order to stop the fraudsters, the affected cities have already begun comprehensive checks of their parking ticket machines. The goal is clear: to regain the security and trust of users in digital payment systems. Stay vigilant and keep yourself well informed - especially in the beautiful but also endangered Harz region!