Warning to drivers of QR code parking scam

Published: Wednesday 22 January 2025

A parking sign showing legitimate pay by phone information and a sticker with a fake QR code

Sign showing a fake QR code stuck to a parking sign

Drivers are being warned about scammers targeting victims with hoax QR codes in Kensington and Chelsea.

The Council is issuing urgent advice to make sure drivers do not fall foul of the scam, which has seen QR codes stuck to parking payment signage in at least six locations in the borough this January. Council parking and street enforcement officers are removing the phoney stickers as soon as they see them or are told about them by the public.

In the last week stickers have been spotted at several locations around Kensington High Street, Sloane Square and King’s Road including Campden Hill Road, Draycott Avenue, Coulson Street, Blacklands Terrace, Culford Gardens, Bray Place and Lincoln Street.

Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and place, said:


“This is an urgent warning to protect drivers in Kensington and Chelsea. If you use a QR code to pay for parking in Kensington and Chelsea, I guarantee that you are paying scammers instead of the Council. Our parking system does not use QR codes at all. Instead you can pay in the PayByPhone app or over the phone. 


“Our officers are removing these fake signs as quickly as we spot them but we want to make sure visitors and residents don’t fall foul of this cruel hoax which has been blighting other areas of London too.”

Following QR codes to pay for parking has many pitfalls. Firstly and most importantly, drivers risk handing over their financial information to scammers and paying them instead of the Council. Secondly it could lead to parking fines as victims of the hard-to-spot scam would have failed to pay the correct parking fare via proper channels. 

Council parking in the borough does not use any QR codes to link drivers to payment. 

How should I pay for parking in Kensington and Chelsea?

To legitimately pay for visitor parking in Kensington and Chelsea, drivers can do any of the following:

  • download and log in to the PayByPhone app 
  • call PayByPhone on 020 7023 9078
  • text PayByPhone on 65565
  • via the PayByPhone website using the following web address: https://www.paybyphone.co.uk 
  • if you need to pay by cash, visit a PayPoint 

How can I report a fake QR code?

People are advised to inform the police on 111 or the Council via [email protected] if they spot QR codes on parking signage.