Social media has been abuzz with accounts of a creative parking scam in Vernon, but the city and local police say the concerns are unfounded, at least for now.
Recent posts on the Vernon & Area Community Forum Facebook page claim that a QR code sticker was plastered onto a parking meter. The QR code was supposedly fraudulent and a means for scam artists to steal credit card information.
However, the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP say that scam has yet to be reported to police. That said, media relations officer Cpl. Tania Finn took the opportunity to warn people about new types of scams.
“Scammers are very creative and people need to beware and remain vigilant whenever making any type of financial transactions online,” Finn said.
City of Vernon communications manager Carolyn Baldridge said the city received just one complaint about a false QR code last fall.
“No other complaints have been made to the city and no other false codes have been located,” Baldridge said. “The city’s Bylaw Compliance Traffic Team proactively checks parking metres and signage.”
Baldridge noted the city and its third-party provider managing mobile parking do not currently use QR codes.
There are only two legitimate ways to pay for parking in Vernon: using PayByPhone, or inserting coins into a meter.
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