The Municipality of The Hague is warning against fake QR codes on parking meters. This week, stickers with fake codes were found on meters in Scheveningen. Scammers are attempting to obtain money and bank details via these stickers. Municipal enforcement officers are aware of this fraud and are actively checking the meters for fake stickers.
The municipality itself does not offer QR codes as a payment method for parking. Payment is exclusively possible via the machine using your debit card, by inserting the card into the machine, or by using contactless payment. Additionally, parking can be paid for via a recognized parking provider app.
Scanning such a QR code bring you to a website where you are asked for bank details. Anyone who enters these risks having money stolen from their account. A fake QR code can often be recognised because the sticker is stuck onto the terminal. After scanning the QR code, it redirects to a website that is not the official payment environment.
The municipality advises against ever scanning QR codes on parking meters. If a suspicious sticker is spotted, it can be reported by calling 14070 or via the municipal social media channels.
Text: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English: The Hague Online