Drivers in Alicante warned over fake parking fines scam
Fraudulent QR codes placed on windscreens to trick residents into giving away personal and banking details
Alicante City Council has issued a warning to residents after fake parking fines were found placed on dozens of vehicles in the city centre. The fraudulent notices appear to target unsuspecting drivers by mimicking official parking tickets and encouraging them to scan a QR code.Around thirty of these fake fines were discovered near the Central Market on streets including Poeta Quintana, Manuel Antón, Campos Vasallo, Belando, Capitán Segarra and San Juan Bosco. However, officials have not ruled out the possibility of similar scams appearing in other parts of the city.
The scam involves forged penalty notices left on car windscreens. These include a QR code that redirects to a fake website designed to steal personal or banking information from the user. The city’s Department of Security and Mobility is urging people not to scan the code or enter any sensitive data.
The ORA service, which manages regulated street parking in Alicante, quickly responded by removing all the false tickets that had been reported. The ORA system is responsible for enforcing payment in blue and green parking zones around the city and is a common sight for local drivers.
“The public should not scan these QR codes or input any of their personal or bank details,” a council spokesperson said. “If in doubt, contact the authorities directly.”
The National Police have been informed and are now investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the Local Police are reminding people how to spot the difference between a genuine fine and a fake one.
Real fines issued by the City Council have a specific design. They are titled ‘Boletín de Denuncia’, feature the official Alicante City Council logo, and include a barcode and a reference number that corresponds to the type of violation. Importantly, they never contain QR codes.
Residents are advised to remain alert, particularly when leaving their vehicles in busy city areas, and to report any suspicious activity to the local police.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Alicante/Facebook
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