Monmouthshire County Council issues warning after discovery of counterfeit QR codes on parking payment machines, urging residents to remain vigilant.
Residents of Monmouthshire have been alerted to a potential scam involving fraudulent QR codes affixed to parking meters across the region. The warning, issued by Monmouthshire County Council, follows reports of similar incidents in Swansea and Denbighshire, indicating a broader pattern of deceptive activity targeting motorists.
The scam operates by placing counterfeit QR codes on parking payment machines. When unsuspecting drivers scan these codes, they are redirected to fraudulent websites that aim to collect sensitive payment information.
A spokesperson from Monmouthshire County Council stated, “Please be aware, scammers have been sticking fake QR codes to car parking payment machines across the county. Our officers have been out removing any that they find, but please be vigilant. None of our parking machines require you to scan a QR code to pay.”
In light of this warning, the council has assured residents that legitimate payments for parking do not necessitate the scanning of QR codes. Motorists are urged to report any suspicious codes they may encounter directly through the MyMonmouthshire platform or by contacting the Monmouthshire County Council Helpdesk at 01633 644644.
As awareness of this issue spreads, the council continues to monitor the situation, encouraging vigilance among users of the parking facilities within the county.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.wales247.co.uk/council-warns-residents-of-parking-scams-taking-place-in-this-area – This article corroborates the warning issued by Monmouthshire County Council regarding parking scams involving QR codes. It highlights that council-owned parking machines do not use QR codes for payment.
- https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/2025/03/monmouthshire-county-council-urges-vigilance-over-parking-scams/ – This webpage supports the council’s warning about parking scams and emphasizes the need for vigilance among motorists. It also clarifies that legitimate parking payments do not require scanning QR codes.
- https://www.abergavennychronicle.com/news/monmouthshire-council-warns-of-car-park-qr-code-scam-775447 – This news article further confirms the council’s alert about QR code scams on parking machines in Monmouthshire, reiterating that council machines do not use QR codes for payment.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This is the source of the original article, providing context for the scam warnings in Monmouthshire. However, specific details about the scam are not available from this URL alone.
- https://www.swanseacity.gov.uk/ – Although not directly mentioned in the search results, Swansea City Council’s website could provide information on similar parking scams reported in Swansea, supporting the broader pattern of such incidents.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative does not contain specific dates or references to outdated events, suggesting it is relatively recent. However, similar scams have been reported in other areas, which could indicate a broader, ongoing issue rather than a new development.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quote from the Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson appears to be original and specific to this context. Without further online sources, it is likely a direct statement from the council.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from WalesOnline, a reputable local news outlet known for covering regional issues accurately.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claim about fake QR codes on parking meters is plausible given similar reports in other regions. The warning from Monmouthshire County Council adds credibility to the narrative.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and credible, with a reliable source and plausible claims. The quote from the council spokesperson seems original, and the warning about fake QR codes aligns with similar incidents reported elsewhere.
