The Town of Collingwood is warning residents and visitors to be vigilant when using QR codes to pay for parking after a fraudulent code was discovered at Sunset Point Park.
According to the town, a fake QR code had been placed over an official parking sign, redirecting users to an unauthorized website that requested personal and payment information. The scam mirrors incidents reported in other municipalities.
Town officials were alerted to the issue after receiving a report from a member of the public. In response, By-law staff immediately inspected and tested QR codes on HotSpot parking signs throughout Collingwood's waterfront areas and downtown core.
The town says those inspections confirmed that official HotSpot QR codes were functioning properly and directing users to the correct parking application. No additional cases of tampering were found.
Officials say routine inspections of parking signs will continue to help ensure QR codes remain secure and operational.
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How to protect yourself
The Town of Collingwood is advising anyone using QR codes for parking payments to take a few precautionary steps before entering personal or financial information:
- Check QR codes for signs of tampering, damage, or stickers placed over the original code.
- Confirm that the code directs you to the official HotSpot Parking website or app.
- Report any suspicious-looking parking signs or QR codes to Service Collingwood by phone at 705-445-1030 or by email at service@collingwood.ca.
Drivers can also avoid potential scams by making parking payments through the official HotSpot Parking mobile app for iOS and Android devices, or by using a parking meter where available.
Growing concern over QR code scams
Cybersecurity experts have increasingly warned about so-called "quishing" scams, where criminals replace legitimate QR codes with fraudulent ones designed to steal personal information or payment details.
While Collingwood's investigation found no evidence of widespread tampering, officials are reminding residents and visitors that a quick visual inspection of a QR code before scanning can help prevent becoming a victim of fraud.
Anyone who believes they may have entered personal or financial information through a suspicious QR code should contact their financial institution immediately and monitor their accounts for unauthorized activity.
