The Southend-on-Sea City Council in Essex has warned motorists to avoid fake QR codes found on parking signs near the seafront during the week of February 9, 2026. Workers have been removing fraudulent stickers designed to steal bank details from drivers attempting to pay for parking. This alert follows reports of scams targeting visitors near the pier and beach areas.
Local officials confirmed that the council does not use QR codes for any parking payments or signage on parking machines in the city. The only legitimate QR codes used by the council in relation to parking are found on promotional adverts for the ‘Southend Pass.’ Drivers are also being told to ignore text messages claiming they have an unpaid parking fine. The council never sends fine notices through text messages, as official tickets are only placed on a vehicle or sent to the owner by post.
The scam has specifically targeted high-traffic areas where visitors go to see the pier or visit the beach near the lifeboat station. To stay safe, the council advises using only official payment methods such as the Mobon app or RingGo. People can also pay at the physical machines found in the car parks.
Anyone who has recently scanned a QR code to pay for parking in the area is urged to contact their bank immediately to protect their money. The council is continuing to monitor signs and machines to remove any new fraudulent stickers that appear.
