Latest news with #ParkMobile
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Orlando parking meter scam: 200 fake QR codes found downtown
The Brief Scammers are placing fake QR code stickers on Orlando parking meters to steal financial data. Authorities are urging drivers to inspect meters and use official apps or websites for payment. Police are investigating and removing fraudulent codes while warning the public to stay alert. ORLANDO, Fla. - Scammers are targeting parking meters in downtown Orlando by placing fraudulent QR code stickers over legitimate ones, police said Sunday. What we know Scammers in downtown Orlando are placing fake QR code stickers on parking meters, redirecting users to fraudulent websites. Once victims scan the QR codes and input personal and financial information, that data is compromised. The scheme has been discovered at several locations, including on Orange Avenue, prompting a warning from the Orlando Police Department. What we don't know Authorities have not confirmed how many meters have been affected or how long the scam has been operating. It's also unclear whether any suspects have been identified or if any arrests have been made. Officials have not specified the total number of victims or the financial impact to date. The backstory QR code scams have become more common in recent years, as touchless payment options have grown. In this case, ParkMobile, a widely used digital parking app, is being spoofed. Scammers are exploiting public trust in digital payments by placing lookalike stickers on city parking meters. Big picture view This scam highlights broader concerns about digital payment security and the vulnerabilities associated with QR codes in public spaces. Local officials are working to remove fraudulent stickers and alert the public, while urging extra vigilance with any digital transaction involving financial data. What they're saying The scheme tricks drivers into scanning a fake code that redirects them to a bogus website, where victims unknowingly enter personal and financial information. Once submitted, scammers can access sensitive data, according to the Orlando Police Department. "It's important that our users are always vigilant regarding financial information, and this includes using any digital parking provider to pay for parking," ParkMobile said in a statement to FOX 35. "If users have concerns or something doesn't look right, do not use the QR code and go directly into the ParkMobile app and enter the zone number, or contact ParkMobile or the other payment providers directly." What you can do To avoid falling victim, authorities recommend checking meters closely for signs of tampering and using trusted methods — such as the official app or website — to pay for parking. Suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Orlando Police Department. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Orlando Police Department and ParkMobile.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Fort Lauderdale warns of more parking QR code scams ahead of holiday weekend
More fraudulent QR codes that appear as legitimate ways to pay for parking in the city of Fort Lauderdale were found at multiple lots and along the beach last weekend, prompting another reminder for residents and visitors to beware ahead of the Memorial Day weekend. The city first issued a public notice about the fake QR codes in November after parking staff found them on PayByPhone signs and parking meters during routine inspections, and others were found the next day. City staff took down the new QR codes that were found last weekend at locations including the Heron Lot, North Beach Lot and multiple locations along the beach to the north of Sunrise Boulevard, spokesperson Christine Portela said Wednesday in a news release. 'As in previous incidents, the stickers displayed counterfeit QR codes, some mimicking the logos of legitimate mobile payment apps, and redirected users to fraudulent websites designed to steal sensitive banking or personal information,' the statement said. To avoid falling victim to the scam, the city recommends: Only use QR codes that are clearly displayed and printed directly onto official City signage – not a sticker. Pay directly at the parking meter or on the app indicated on the sign. Know that most city parking areas use PayByPhone. Only EV charging stations and the Arts & Science District Garage use the ParkMobile. The City does not use Google Pay QR codes for parking. Report a suspicious QR code by calling the city's Customer Service Line at 954-828-8000, visiting or using the FixItFTL mobile app.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Falcon Heights adds paid parking zones for Minnesota State Fair
The Falcon Heights City Council voted Wednesday to create temporary paid parking zones during the Minnesota State Fair. The pay-by-mobile parking program will turn select city streets east of Snelling Avenue into paid parking zones, providing around 1,000 parking spots near the Fairgrounds, for a fee, according to a news release from the city. The program, which has a one-year agreement with ParkMobile, will charge a flat fee of $25 per day for vehicles to park between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the 12 days of the Fair. As part of the program, the city will also hire trained ambassadors to give directions, answer questions and enforce parking. The affected streets north of Larpenteur Avenue include: Asbury, Arona, Simpson, Pascal, Holton, Albert, Ruggles and Crawford. Affected avenues to the south of Larpenteur include: California, Idaho and Iowa. 'Pay-by-mobile parking provides an excellent solution to promote safety for our Falcon Heights residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome to our city during the Minnesota State Fair,' said Falcon Heights Mayor Randy Gustafson in the release. If you're determined to find free parking and your go-to street now has a fee, Falcon Heights City Administrator Jack Linehan suggests trying the free park-and-ride options the Minnesota State Fair offers. As for residents who live on streets that are designated as a parking zone, they will receive one free parking pass delivered by mail starting in July with the option to request additional passes. The city estimates around 600 properties will be eligible for these passes. Attendees will be able to pay online via website, app or automated pay-by-phone line and enforcement will be tied to the vehicle's license plate. Should drivers fail to pay, parking violations will set them back $100 from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15, which is double the normal rate of $50, Linehan said. Los Lobos and Arrested Development among acts to play free Minnesota State Fair shows Family friendly Minnesota State Fair Grandstand show to pay tribute to Taylor Swift Hank Williams Jr. to play Minnesota State Fair Grandstand for the third time Ten years after she canceled, Meghan Trainor will headline the Minnesota State Fair Minnesota State Fair selling personalized tiles on its new Welcome Wall Falcon Heights will receive an estimated 80% of the parking fees, which the city anticipates could range from $100,000 to $200,000, Linehan said. The city will use its proceeds to support the ambassador program, cover fair costs and invest in its roads and infrastructure. 'We heard from our residents during this process on how we could improve the plan, and we believe the version adopted by the City Council will meet the needs of our community,' Gustafson said in the release. Temporary parking zone signs will be installed before the start of the Fair and removed after Labor Day.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Minnesota State Fair getting pay-by-mobile parking in 2025
The Brief The City of Falcon Heights is bringing pay-by-mobile parking to streets near the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in 2025. Parking zones will cost $25 per day, and there will be about 1,000 spots available. The measure passed 5-0 at a Falcon Heights City Council meeting Wednesday night. FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) - The City of Falcon Heights on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve pay-by-mobile parking for the Minnesota State Fair starting this year. The city council met Wednesday night and voted 5-0 to implement the program in time for the State Fair, one of the largest in the country. What we know If you plan on driving to the Great Minnesota Get-Together, there should be more parking options on streets near the State Fairgrounds. The measure creates paid parking zones in neighborhoods east of Snelling Avenue that provide about 1,000 spots near the State Fair. Why you should care City officials say the program will charge a flat fee of $25 per day for vehicles to park between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair. Fees can be paid online through a web site, app or automated pay-by-phone line. Enforcement will be tied through a vehicle's license plate. The program will also include hiring trained ambassadors to be in parking zones to direct traffic, answer questions and enhance public safety. The city approved five actions related to the program, including a one-year agreement with ParkMobile to be the vendor. Under the agreement, the City of Falcon Heights will receive about 80% of the fees. Dig deeper City officials say residents who live on streets in the designated parking zone will receive one free parking pass in the mail starting in July. They'll have the option to request additional passes, and there will be up to 600 properties eligible for the passes. What they're saying Falcon Heights Mayor Randy Gustafson reacted to the vote Wednesday night. "Pay-by-mobile parking provides an excellent solution to promote safety for our Falcon Heights residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome to our city during the Minnesota State Fair," Gustafson said in a statement. "We heard from our residents during this process on how we could improve the plan, and we believe the version adopted by the City Council will meet the needs of our community." Timeline Temporary parking zone signs will be installed before the start of the Minnesota State Fair, and removed after Labor Day. The Source The measure was passed at the Falcon Heights City Council meeting Wednesday night.
Gizmodo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Gizmodo
License Plate Reading Firm Reportedly Building a Surveillance Tool for Cops Using Hacked Data
Data breaches are apparently one tool in a surveillance company's toolkit. A controversial company that sells license plate readers has developed a new surveillance tool that pulls together disparate datasets and connects them to drivers' car information. The tool, which is being marketed to cops, even uses information culled from data breaches and hacked data, a new report claims. 404 Media reports that Flock—whose invasive, car-tracking technology has previously been the subject of a lawsuit—is in the final stages of developing a tool called 'Nova.' On its website, Flock says that Nova can connect 'people, vehicles, and locations' and that it helps 'solve crime and prevent the next one faster.' Flock also promises that Nova will bring 'data together under one simple, predictable platform.' According to 404, Nova allows law enforcement to swiftly pull together info on a driver from a variety of different sources, including public records, 'commercially available data' from data brokers, and law enforcement databases. It also utilizes information from data breaches. Audio from a leaked company meeting reveals that such breaches include a hacked parking meter app, ParkMobile, 404 writes. Accessing data from breaches like this allows license plate numbers to be tied to other data that was shared with the app, including contact information like phone numbers and email addresses, and sometimes mailing addresses. Gizmodo reached out to Flock for more information. In a statement shared with 404 Media, the company described Nova as a 'public safety data platform that helps investigators analyze and connect data they already have access to, surfacing insights to uncover leads and close cases faster.' It further stated that the software powering the tool is 'completely customizable' and that 'customers choose what data inputs they want in Nova.' In other words, Flock is putting the responsibility on its customers to use its tool responsibly. Flock also implied that all of the data centralized by its software suite was already available to cops via other means. 'While officers may have access to similar information through other means, centralizing it within Nova adds a crucial layer of transparency and accountability, so our democratically elected governing bodies can ensure it is used in accordance with the law,' the statement added. While Flock has publicly expressed confidence in its new product, 404's reporting shows that the company's own employees are nervous and conflicted about Nova's use of stolen data. Citing internal Slack messages, 404 quotes one staffer who apparently said the following: 'I was pretty horrified to hear we use stolen data in our system. In addition to being attained illegally, it seems like that could create really perverse incentives for more data to be leaked and stolen,' they wrote. 'What if data was stolen from Flock? Should that then become standard data in everyone else's system?' Flock's license plate reading technology has stirred ongoing concern for privacy and civil liberties advocates, who worry that such tools could be used by draconian and authoritarian regimes for mass surveillance. However, Flock shows no signs of slowing down in its ever-expanding portfolio of law enforcement technologies. The company recently announced an expansion into drone technology, with the acquisition of Aerodome, which it has described as a 'first responder' remote piloting software that can be used in emergency situations.
