Latest news with #PayByPhone
CBS News
30-07-2025
- CBS News
Fake QR code scams target Denver drivers trying to pay city parking fees
A new scam is tricking drivers across Denver into thinking they're paying for parking when in fact they're handing over personal information to scammers. Fake QR code stickers have been spotted on parking meters from Broadway to Cherry Creek, and they're convincing enough to fool people like Audrey Bissonnett. "I do it all the time," said Bissonnett. "Typically, I've scanned that and paid for that." She said it was embarrassing to realize she'd been duped. The fraudulent stickers redirect users to suspicious websites, often with odd formatting and misspelled text. They resemble legitimate parking payment portals, but they're designed to steal personal or financial information. Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has been proactively removing fake QR codes from parking meters. Ben Chason, another Denver resident, said he uses the official app to pay for parking and hasn't fallen for the scam. "Well, I think that's pretty awful, because people are just trying to be good citizens and pay their parking bill," Chason said. But others may not be so lucky. Many are now double checking their bank accounts and online safety. Nancy Kuhn with DOTI says the scam sites appear to originate from overseas. However, the website in question is now showing up as invalid, but it still raises concerns. "It did look like these were websites that were created in other countries," Kuhn explained. "Sometimes the information was misspelled, and the websites just looked a little odd." According to city officials, legitimate QR codes used for parking in Denver have green dots in the center and are usually found on overhead signs in designated areas -- like LoHi -- not directly on the meter poles. "The valid QR code is going to prompt you to either download the PayByPhone app, or if you already have the app it will open the app," Kuhn said. "But we're not asking people when they use pay-by-phone to plug their information into a website." While city officials are proactively removing the fake QR codes, they say there's a chance the stickers could reappear since the person or people behind the scam have not yet been caught. Denver police say there is currently only one report filed which is under investigation. However, no arrests have been made. Police add the investigation is ongoing and are urging anyone with information about someone placing stickers on parking meters -- or any other relevant details -- to come forward. Some residents are urging the city to take stronger action. "They should do something right there," said one driver, pointing to a meter pole. "Because that's like a perfect space for a QR code." If you've received a parking ticket and suspect it's connected to one of these fake QR codes, you can contest it online. The city also encourages anyone who sees a suspicious QR code to report it by calling 311 or submitting a claim through Denver's Consumer Protection website.
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
UK drivers warned of parking fine sent in the post that you must not pay
Driving scams are on the rise across the UK, with experts warning Brits of the three most common methods that could cost thousands of pounds Motorists are being cautioned about driving scams that could leave them out of pocket by thousands - including one that comes in the post. Experts are urging vigilance as these fraudulent schemes are reportedly increasing - and they could be pretty easy to fall for. From fake fines in the post to deceptive QR codes and suspicious communications masquerading as DVLA messages, motoring specialists at LeaseLoco are alerting the public to take action before it's too late. According to Lloyds Bank, it's the younger demographic, particularly those aged 25-34, who are most frequently ensnared by vehicle-related frauds such as second-hand car swindles and sham insurance offers. Older drivers aren't immune either, with a significant number falling prey to counterfeit online transactions and parking penalty ruses. John Wilmot, CEO of LeaseLoco, said: "Unfortunately driving-related scams are really common and they work well for fraudsters because they can create a sense of urgency. "A lot of these scams will urge you to quickly pay a fee to avoid facing bigger fines. When we see something like this we often rush to get the payment done rather than stopping and checking the legitimacy of the message or letter. "The good news is there are ways to spot these scams which can prevent you from losing any money. For example, if you've been contacted via text message to pay a fine, be conscious of who it is from. Organisations like the DVLA will never ask for money or personal information on a text message. "By taking a moment to verify the legitimacy of these alerts you could save yourself from losing out on potentially thousands of pounds." Three driving scams you may not know about 1. QR codes on parking meters Fraudsters are placing bogus QR code stickers on parking meters, attempting to trick motorists into scanning them and handing over money for fake parking fees. To keep yourself safe, stick to established parking apps such as RingGo or PayByPhone. Bear in mind that the majority of local authorities don't use QR codes for transactions. They usually provide a machine or depend on official applications instead. 2. 'DVLA messages' Fake DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) communications frequently claim that your licence requires renewal or that your vehicle tax payment has been unsuccessful, putting pressure on you to hand over personal information. Keep in mind that the DVLA says it will never demand payment or confidential details via email or text message. Steer clear of clicking any links in these communications and always navigate to the DVLA website directly through Remember, always be cautious if people use a sense of urgency when it comes to payments. Speaking of the DVLA, motorists might be interested to learn that the official body themselves have issued an alert to certain drivers. In a separate announcement, they reminded motorists to refresh their details to avoid potential complications down the line. They noted that those who have changed address must swiftly alter their records. The DVLA cautioned: "If you've changed address, update your driving licence details and vehicle log book with DVLA online." 3. PCN fines The third warning highlights that fraudsters may resort to sending counterfeit parking charge notices through the post, pressuring you to settle a fake parking fine before it escalates. However, before parting with any money, it's crucial to know that a legitimate PCN notice will detail the date, time and location of your supposed infringement. If you're still uncertain about the authenticity of your letter, it's always advisable to get in touch with the relevant council's parking department to verify if the fine is indeed genuine.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Parking angels' prepare to flap wings to educate city drivers
Winnipeg drivers who may be confused by the removal of paystations in the city may end up being blessed by a 'parking angel.' Starting Thursday, staff from the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and their counterparts in the Exchange and West Broadway areas will patrol downtown streets and direct drivers to payment options that work for them as the city begins the process of removing its 250 parking meters by Aug. 31. They will carry stacks of one-hour parking vouchers to use at their own discretion if someone is stuck without a way to pay — the city's way of showing some grace as the change rolls out this summer, said Winnipeg Parking Authority manager of operations and facilities Lisa Patterson. MATTHEW FRANK / FREE PRESS New PayByPhone app parking signs have been put up across downtown with QR codes that will direct drivers to a payment site. 'They've been trained to look for any types of people that look like they need a little bit of help … they're going to be acting as parking angels this summer,' she said Wednesday. Among them are 17 Downtown BIZ staff, who were trained by the WPA Wednesday on the reasons for the change and how to educate people on the new system. 'It does create some barriers for people, and what we want to do is, we know it's coming, so we want to do whatever we can to try to lessen that and make sure we can give someone as positive an experience as possible,' said Downtown BIZ director of operations Ken Berg. The city announced in May it would remove all its paystations, citing $1 million in yearly savings to the city and the costs to replace the outdated technology. Winnipeg is the second city in North America to remove its paystations outright, joining Edmonton. About 80 per cent of people who parked in Winnipeg in the first quarter of 2025 used an app. The first paystations were dismantled Tuesday, and 300 new PayByPhone app parking signs have been put up across downtown with QR codes that will direct drivers to a payment site. The signs are being installed on a trial basis, Patterson said. 'Other cities that we've talked to, they have some issues with people putting up fake QR stickers,' she said. Those without smartphones, or who prefer to pay in cash, will have to purchase prepaid parking booklets. They can be purchased at the Parking Store at 495 Portage Ave., 311 counters at 510 Main St. or Accès-Access Saint-Boniface at 170 Goulet St. By Friday, transit customer service centres at the Portage and Main concourse, Millennium Library, Susan A. Thompson Building at city hall and B-414 Osborne Street will have the booklets for sale. The booklets carry 10 one-hour passes at two price points: a pack for 'high demand' street parking costs $26.19 before tax, and 10 passes on a 'low demand' street is $16.67 plus tax. MATTHEW FRANK / FREE PRESS Dasha Savchenko works in the Exchange and said the new booklet system is inconvenient. Booklets can also be purchased with a credit card and mailed to drivers by calling 311. Parking signs will have a green decal at the bottom to indicate the street is high demand and requires the more expensive voucher. Patterson said people selling the booklets have been tasked with explaining this to buyers. The green decals are expected to be added to signs on high demand streets by the end of the week. Drivers won't be penalized for using a high-demand slip on a low-demand street, and Patterson suggested using a high-demand slip if a driver isn't sure. 'We're definitely going to show grace this summer, there is an enforcement strategy that goes along with PayByPhone,' she said. The WPA has sold around 200 prepaid booklets since the announcement that paystations would be removed was made May 21. Hesitation remains for some drivers. Dasha Savchenko was scrambling to find parking Wednesday afternoon on King Street so she wouldn't be late for her shift at House of Saturn, a tattoo parlour in the Exchange. The 27-year-old usually uses PayByPhone to pay for street parking and said it works well, but if she's run out of data on her cellphone, it's been a problem. She said the booklet system is too complicated and inconvenient to carry around. 'People, especially in this area, are already stressed driving here and they just want to make it simple,' she said. 'It'll take some getting used to.' Laura Charr, an RRC Polytech instructor, parks at the corner William Avenue and King Street. MATTHEW FRANK / FREE PRESS Laura Charra says using her phone to pay for parking is more convenient, but it can be unreliable without a strong data or WiFi signal. While using her phone to pay for parking is handy because it gives her notifications when it's about to run out, she said it's not always reliable if her phone struggles connecting to data or WiFi. She said buying booklets in advance is too much work. 'When I'm finding parking on the street, it's usually last minute.' Charr said. 'If I buy those books and all the spots are taken, I can't use it anyway.' Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. Carmen Nedohin, who leads the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Association for Retired Persons, said the grace period should extend to at least a year. 'I just think that some of the decisions that are being made there are being made in a vacuum, without checking with the people who are going to be impacted first,' she said. Patterson said the WPA is working on creating lunch sessions for seniors looking to learn about the new parking structure and walk them through the technology, in addition to other methods of 'hands-on' outreach. Malak AbasReporter Malak Abas is a city reporter at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg's North End, she led the campus paper at the University of Manitoba before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Malak. Every piece of reporting Malak produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Keep coins at home; parking paystations get the heave-ho
The City of Winnipeg has started to dismantle parking paystations downtown, becoming just the second city in North America to force drivers to use other methods of payment. 'It's going to be a big change,' said Lisa Patterson, manager of operations and facilities for the Winnipeg Parking Authority. In late May, the city announced it would remove all paystations on streets and city-operated surface lots by Aug. 31, leaving parkers to pay by calling 1-888-680-7275 and paying with a debit/credit card, purchasing prepaid parking booklets, or the most common way, the PayByPhone app — which is already used for more than 80 per cent of parking transactions, according to the city. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press A City of Winnipeg worker removes the cash box at a parking pay station before the pay stations are permanently removed Tuesday. Drivers wanting to park on city streets will now have to use a phone app to pay for their parking. On Tuesday afternoon, workers were seen taking down paystation units. Patterson said removing them will save the city $1 million a year in operating costs and avoid a $3.6-million investment to replace them once Canada shuts down outdated 3G networks in late August. Edmonton, which began axing its paystations in April, is the only other city to do so. 'The city needed to look at some opportunities for cost savings, and removing the meters is one way to cut some costs. It's a big capital expense,' she said. 'These machines are 20 years old, don't forget. It's like having a cellphone that's 20 years old.' Patterson hopes the change will encourage more downtown parkers to adopt the PayByPhone app. To accommodate the people who use cash, Patterson said they've implemented prepaid parking booklets. The booklets include up to 10 hours of parking and can be bought at the Parking Store on Portage Avenue, city hall, and Access Saint Boniface on Goulet Street. Each page of the booklet represents one hour of parking, so customers can rip out however many pages they want and leave them on their dashboard. The booklets are valid for several years. In case someone's phone dies and they are unable to use the app, Patterson said the prepaid parking booklets are an insurance policy for people should they plan their trips to downtown ahead of time. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. The city believes transitioning out of paystations may help with crime. Around 18 paystations have been vandalized since November, Patterson said. She said people have managed to take the machines off the street and drill into them to try to get the coins. Each unit costs $8,000 to replace. She also said there will still be opportunities to use paystations at private lots downtown. 'What we've been reminding people is that there is surface lot parking pretty much in every corner of downtown. There are still 30,000 parking spaces that will be serviced by a paystation,' Patterson said.
Cambrian News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cambrian News
Explore Wales: Top 10 summer events list includes Barmouth and Machynlleth
10. Gwyl Machynlleth Festival at MOMA Machynlleth (17 – 24 August 2025) – This week-long Festival of Welsh and International music, culture and heritage, offers something for all ages. And why not take advantage of Snowdonia National Park being on the doorstep and explore what it has to offer. Whether you love hiking, with walks suitable for all capabilities, prefer a spot of kayaking, medieval castle exploring, or live for the thrill of a zip wire, there really is something for everyone. But remember, please park responsibly and only in designated spaces to avoid harming the delicate eco-system. The best solution is to park in any Powys County Council car park using PayByPhone.
