Stratford warns drivers about paid parking scam

A parking meter seen in downtown Windsor, Ont. on Jan. 29, 2025. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

The City of Stratford is warning drivers not to use QR code stickers that were placed on downtown parking meters.

“Please do not scan these codes with your phone, or follow the links they point to, as they may lead to a fraudulent parking app,” they wrote in a social media post. “Similar parking scams have been reported in communities across Ontario.”

The city said staff members were working to remove the stickers but, if they missed one or if new ones popped up, they could be reported to the clerk’s office at 519-271-0250, extension 237.

In June, a similar issue was reported in Elora.

The Township of Centre Wellington suspended its new digital parking system after a glitch with the QR code sent drivers to a pornography website instead of the payment portal.

The paid parking system remains offline, according to the latest update on the township’s website.