City of San Diego Reminder to be Diligent When Using QR Codes on Parking Meters

A parking meter with a blue and white sticker showing the City of San Diego and the message "Pay for Parking" along with a QR code to scan. The parking meter is labeled as FS-914. In the background are parked cars, the steeple of a church, and a sunset.

City of San Diego Reminder to be Diligent When Using QR Codes on Parking Meters

There have been no reported incidents in the City of San Diego, however potential scams have occurred in other California cities.

How do you pay the meter when you park your car? Coins? Credit Card? NFC payment? App? 

The City of San Diego is reminding us all to be diligent when using QR codes on parking meters. The City stresses that no reported incidents have occurred in San Diego, however potential scams involving QR codes have occurred elsewhere in California.

From the City of San Diego:

Watch out for fake QR codes on parking meters! Scammers are sticking them on meters to steal your payment info.

While no incidents have been reported in the City of San Diego, we are providing this info to ensure your safety from this potential scam that has occurred in other California cities.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

  • DO NOT use a QR code to pay for parking— San Diego uses a QR code ONLY to download the Park Smarter app. QR codes on City parking meters will not request payment. The QR codes will only take users to a page where they can download the app to set up online payment.
  • The parking meters only accept secure payment options— credit cards, NFC payments (Apple Pay, Android Pay), coins or you can pay through the Park Smarter app.
  • Check for tampered stickers or odd-looking codes before scanning!

 

Stay alert, stay safe and park smart!

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