City of Mississauga warns of fake parking QR codes

A fraudulent QR code sticker is posted on a parking machine in downtown Mississauga. (City of Mississauga)

Officials in Mississauga are warning residents of fake parking QR code stickers.

The city said it became aware on Wednesday of stickers stuck on several downtown Pay and Display machines.

They were immediately removed, and crews were deployed to check all parking machines to ensure no other stickers were posted.

About 80 stickers were found by staff, the city said.

In a news release on Friday, they shared photos showing the fake QR code located just below the machine’s digital screen with the message “SCAN AND PAY.”

“These unauthorized QR codes are designed to redirect users to third-party payment sites that are not affiliated with the city. Scanning and using these codes put your personal and financial information at risk,” reads a news release issued on Friday.

“The City wants to reassure residents that this issue was addressed quickly and that routine parking use remains safe. City staff continue to monitor parking machines and equipment and respond quickly to reports.”

The city said QR code stickers posted on parking machines are never used to collect payment.

“The only way to pay for City parking is through parking machines using the digital payment prompts,” the city said.

“Any QR code found on a City paid parking machine is not legitimate and should not be scanned.”

Other cities in Canada, such as Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, have reported similar fraudulent stickers.