EverSafe Scam Watch

Parking Meter Stickers are Scamming Drivers

Parking meter apps can be a godsend when you pull into a spot and realize you have no change. But look carefully when scanning the QR code on the parking meter before you pay with your credit card.

Scammers across the country have begun putting fake QR code stickers on the meters, which direct you to websites that steal your money. You need to look carefully at the website that comes up on your phone, because even one wrong letter can mean the difference between a legitimate payment site and one that’s a fraud.

In Redondo Beach, California, parking meter inspectors discovered 150 stickers this summer that directed drivers to a “poy by phone” website, the city reported, a misspelling of the world “pay” that revealed a fraud. Scammers have also hit meters in Florida, according to complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.

ParkMobile, which operates parking meter payment sites throughout the United States, warns consumers to make sure the QR code is part of the sign on the meter, and not just a sticker. “The ParkMobile web app URL should always start with app.parkmobile.io. If you have concerns, close your browser and go directly into the ParkMobile app or the parkmobile.io website,” the company advises.

ParkMobile suggests that drivers report unusual QR codes to their local police departments. It’s also good practice to monitor credit cards and bank accounts to make sure the parking charges reflect your transactions.

Online Fraudsters are Looking for You 

Online scammers are way too successful – tricking one out of five adults that they target to give up money, according to a study released October 1 by Consumer Reports, Aspen Digital, and the Global Cyber Alliance. Moreover, efforts to crack down on scammers are continuing to fall short, concluded the team of cyber researchers and investigators that prepared the report.

The findings, which were based on two Consumer Reports surveys that each had more than 2,000 respondents, provide dramatic new evidence that online scams have become a pervasive risk in modern life.

Nearly half of those surveyed said they had personally encountered an online scam, most commonly through email, social media or text messaging. Scammers frequently sought people’s passwords or credit card numbers.

Among the noteworthy findings was that of those surveyed, Black Americans (33 percent) and Hispanic Americans (30 percent) were more likely to have lost money than other populations. A possible explanation is that these victims were more likely to have conducted transactions in cash, cryptocurrency or money orders, all of which offer less protection than credit cards, the study found.

The researchers said there has been some increase in online protections, such as in the use of multifactor authentication, which requires digital users to identify themselves in more than one way. At the same time, scammers are getting more sophisticated and using tools from artificial intelligence and other technologies to deceive their victims. “The good news is that we are seeing some improvement in the adoption rate of improved security mechanisms like passkeys,” said Komal Bazaz Smith, Chief Business Officer of the Global Cyber Alliance, referring to a type of protection that is stronger than traditional passwords. “The bad news is that improvement is slow, and not keeping pace with attackers.”

CONSUMER TIP: Membership Renewals May Not Be Real

“Dear customer,” the email reads: “Unfortunately, we were unable to process your payment to renew your Sam’s Club Membership.” A big blue link asks you to update your payment information.

Don’t click on it.

The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are increasingly using email to impersonate legitimate companies with fake renewal notices, sometimes sent when your subscription is about to expire. The notices may even have the company logo and offer a special deal if you renew. In this case, the consumer didn’t even belong to Sam’s Club.

The goal is to get your credit card information. To avoid falling for these scams, the BBB says you should always take a “second look” at the sender’s email address. A long string of numbers and letters is often the sign of an imposter. So are spelling errors in the email.

If you have doubts, confirm your account with the business directly. Keep track of your subscription renewals on a calendar. And report potential scams to the BBB or other authorities.

New York Times: Tips to Avoid Becoming a Scam Victim

Some new apps give scammers tools to connect with their targets. Text messages, social media, even dating sites, provide fraudsters with opportunities to disarm victims and drain their bank accounts, according to the New York Times.

But certain tactics used by scammers are predictable. The Times recently offered readers the following tips to help individuals protect themselves:

Know that scams may target certain age groups. Older adults may be targeted by crooks who pretend to be government officials or who offer tech support. Younger adults and college graduates may be targeted by scammers who make phony job offers. The Federal Trade Commission provides lots of information about scam trends, how to avoid them, and how to file a complaint.

Control your emotions. Crooks use shrewd techniques to manipulate victims to act. Appeals to people’s fears, loneliness, and greed may cloud people’s better judgment, prodding targets to rush ahead with payments and provide personal information that they should withhold.

Recognize common red flags. If someone seeks payment for a transaction with gift cards, gold bars or bitcoin, watch out. Similarly, if someone you do not know seeks your Social Security or Medicare data, that is a red flag.

Scrutinize the email address. Is there something slightly off, even just a single letter? Make sure the email address is identical to the official email address of an agency or company it supposedly came from. You should also independently confirm a phone number when necessary. Be aware that the information that appears on your phone display may be phony.

Protect your computer. Sponsored links, ads, and pop-up screens may contain malicious software that can steal your data or damage your computer. Avoid downloading software that gives someone you don’t know remote access to your computer.