Experts issue urgent warning over drivers using a parking machine after rise in sneaky scams – how to ‘protect yourself’
MOTOR experts have issued an urgent warning for Brit drivers using parking machines amid rising ticket frauds.
Crooks are increasingly using counterfeit QR codes, websites and parking ticket emails to scam Brits as the country struggles with the cost of living crisis.
Experts have now warned Brit drivers to be more cautious to prevent falling prey to such scams.
They are urging motorists to only download parking apps from reputable sources like the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Andy Syrett, UK managing director at YourParkingSpace, told Birmingham Live: “After witnessing the distress caused by parking app scams last year, we want to ensure that we can educate and protect our customers.
The expert asked drivers who often use parking spaces to keep a check on their bank records and look out for any charges they don’t recognise – especially “small and recurring charges”.
He said these charges, often fraudulent, can easily be overlooked – but should be flagged to the bank intimately to prevent money loss.
James Bore, a security expert, urged drivers to look out for fake websites that are seemingly real.
He told the news website: “If I was setting up a fake website, I’d give it a good domain name, a logo and make it look very professional so you wouldn’t be able to tell it’s not real.”
The expert wanted drivers not to use any unauthorised QR codes that are stuck on parking metres across the country as they most likely could be fake.
He advised to call up the parking operators and ask for instructions to avoid being scammed by con artists.
It comes after a motors expert who flogged millions of cars revealed the four things drivers should never say if they don’t want to get ripped off.
Speaking on the CarEdge YouTube channel, Ray Shefska urged drivers to be wary of uttering these dreaded words if they want to scoop a good deal.
Another expert revealed how he fell for a crafty car sales scam – and explained how you can avoid it.
Grant, who runs Scottish Car Clan, shared his experience on his YouTube channel.
He said: “I was scammed when buying a used car.
“Here’s the thing, I’ve bought and sold hundreds of cars over the years and I’ve always been quietly proud that I’ve never fallen victim to a scam.
“But this one got me good.”
UK hotspot for car scams revealed amid warnings of 'resteals'
This is when scammers sell you a second-hand motor only to steal it back just hours later.
They can then repeat the act several times on the same car, making thousands in the process.
Philip Swift, boss of loss adjustment firm Claims Management & Adjusting, warned that this practice is on the rise across the nation.
However, it’s particularly prevalent in the North of England, he claimed.
He fumed: “These unscrupulous crooks leave havoc in their wake, for both the innocent purchasers and the owner of the legitimate vehicle whose identity has been replicated.”