Dublin City Council has issued an urgent public warning following the discovery of a fraudulent QR code sticker found on an official clamping stop notice within the city. The counterfeit QR code, which had been deliberately placed on a vehicle notice, redirects users to a fake website designed to collect payment details fraudulently.
The matter has been reported to An Garda Síochána, who have launched an investigation into the incident. The scam appears to be a sophisticated attempt to exploit motorists trying to resolve legitimate parking or clamping issues quickly.
Authorities are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid scanning any QR codes found on parking or clamping notices in Dublin. Dublin City Council clarified that QR codes are not used for any form of payment related to parking fines, clamping releases, or ticket appeals within their jurisdiction.
Official Payment Channels Only
Motorists who need to pay for parking penalties, clamping fees, or related services should only use official channels. Dublin Street Parking Services (DSPS) remains the sole authorized provider for handling such transactions.
For secure payment and service queries, use:
- Official Website: http://dsps.ie
- Phone: 01 602 2500
Any alternative payment requests, especially those involving QR codes or third-party links, should be considered suspicious and reported immediately.
Ongoing Investigations
Dublin City Council is working closely with An Garda Síochána to trace the source of the fraudulent QR codes and determine whether similar incidents have occurred elsewhere. The council has not confirmed how many vehicles may have been targeted by the scam, but they are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness.
A spokesperson for the Council emphasized, “We urge all motorists not to engage with any QR code found on clamping notices. These are not issued by Dublin City Council or its authorised agents. If you are in doubt, please contact us or DSPS directly.”
How to Stay Safe
To protect against scams, Dublin City Council has issued the following guidance for motorists:
- Do not scan QR codes found on clamping or parking notices.
- Do not enter personal or payment information on unofficial websites.
- Verify the URL before making any payments – it should match http://dsps.ie.
- Report suspicious notices or websites to An Garda Síochána via @GardaTraffic or by contacting your local Garda station.
- Call DSPS at 01 602 2500 for clarification if in doubt.
Digital Fraud on the Rise
This incident is the latest in a growing trend of QR code scams being reported globally. Fraudsters have increasingly used QR codes to redirect victims to fake payment pages or malicious websites. QR scams often target high-stress situations, like clamping or parking fines, where individuals may be more likely to act quickly without scrutinizing the link.
Earlier this year, similar scams were reported in parts of the UK and Europe, where bogus QR codes were found on parking meters and pay stations.
Council to Review Security Measures
In response to this event, Dublin City Council has stated it will review the design and placement of official parking notices to minimize the risk of tampering. This may include enhanced security features such as tamper-evident stickers or digital verification methods that do not rely on QR codes.
The council also plans to launch a public information campaign to raise awareness of safe practices for handling parking penalties and interacting with clamping services.
For verified updates and alerts related to parking and traffic enforcement, visit Dublin City Council’s official website or follow updates from Dublin Street Parking Services.
