Tech-savvy criminals exploit contactless payment trend, leaving authorities scrambling to respond
Fort Lauderdale, FL – A new wave of tech-savvy scams is sweeping across Florida, taking advantage of unsuspecting residents and tourists alike. The latest tactic involves the use of QR codes, those ubiquitous black-and-white squares that have become commonplace in our digital age. However, these seemingly harmless codes are now being weaponized by scammers to steal personal and financial information.
A surge in sophisticated QR code scams targeting Florida motorists has left hundreds of victims and prompted warnings from law enforcement agencies across the Sunshine State. The scheme, dubbed “Park-and-Pay” by investigators, combines old-fashioned parking meter fraud with modern digital theft techniques
The new scam is known as the park-and-pay scam. It involves fake QR codes placed on parking meters and pay-to-park signs, which lead drivers to fraudulent websites that steal their financial information. As this scam spreads, residents need to understand how it works, the risks involved, and the steps they can take to protect themselves from fake QR codes placed on parking meters and pay-to-park signs.