A couple lost £370 after scanning a fake parking QR code that copied RingGo. Here’s how the trick worked and what you can do before paying by phone next time.
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What Happened?
Jess Hagan and her fiancé, Jake Freeman, were parking at the Spanish City plaza car park in Whitley Bay on Saturday.
They saw a QR code attached to the payment machine and scanned it with a phone. The code opened a website that copied RingGo’s branding.
RingGo is a mobile service that lets drivers find parking and pay through its app.
Hagan said the fake website looked convincing, including familiar branding and privacy policies. After they entered payment information, the website said the payment had failed.
The next morning, they found five unauthorized transactions ranging from £20 to £150. Together, the charges totaled £370.
RingGo later confirmed that it does not use QR codes on its signs to help drivers pay for parking.
Fake payment pages can be difficult to spot because criminals can copy logos, colors, and other details from real websites.
Criminals may also combine information collected through fake websites with personal details leaked elsewhere. That can make later phishing messages or fraud attempts more convincing.
Many people do not know where their information may already have been leaked. Automatic monitoring can make those problems easier to spot.
Futureproof monitors your data for leaks 24/7 and helps you reduce scam risks with simple, clear steps.
Who Lost Money and What Information Was Entered?
The parking QR code scam affected Jess Hagan and her fiancé, Jake Freeman.
They lost £370 through five unauthorized transactions after using the fake payment website.
The couple entered payment information while trying to pay for parking. However, BBC did not report exactly which card or personal details the criminals collected.
Hagan and Freeman reported the transactions to their bank, which opened a fraud investigation.
They also reported the incident to the Financial Conduct Authority and alerted North Tyneside Council.
Futureproof keeps your data safer with simple guidance to set a strong password, turn on 2-step verification, and lock down your account.
Check my safetyHow the Fake RingGo Parking QR Code Worked
Someone placed a printed QR code sticker on a parking payment machine.
When scanned, the code sent the couple to a website designed to look like RingGo.
This type of trick is sometimes called QR phishing, or “quishing.” It uses a QR code to send you to a fake website that asks for information.
The fake page looked professional enough that the couple did not notice obvious warning signs.
RingGo said drivers should use its official mobile app rather than QR codes when paying for parking.
At Futureproof, Kevin explains digital safety in simple words, with clear tips and zero fluff. He holds a degree in information technology and studies fraud trends to keep his tips up-to-date.
In his free time, Kevin plays with his cat, enjoys board-game nights, and hunts for New York’s best cinnamon rolls.
