City warns about fraudulent QR codes on parking machines

On April 22, 2026, the City became aware of fraudulent QR code stickers appearing on parking Pay and Display machines, also known as parking machines, in Downtown Mississauga. City staff removed fraudulent QR code stickers from parking machines after becoming aware of a scam targeting drivers.

These unauthorized QR codes are designed to redirect users to third-party payment sites that are not affiliated with the City. Scanning and using these codes put your personal and financial information at risk.

Upon becoming aware of the issue, City staff responded immediately, within an hour, to locate and remove roughly 80 fraudulent QR code stickers from affected parking machines. City crews were deployed to check all parking machines and will actively monitor them to help prevent further incidents and ensure that more fraudulent QR code stickers are not posted.

The City wants to reassure residents that this issue was addressed quickly and that routine parking use remains safe. City staff continue to monitor parking machines and equipment and respond quickly to reports.

Similar scams have been reported in cities across Canada like in Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.

What residents should know

In Mississauga, QR codes stickers posted on parking machines are never used to collect payment for parking. Parking and payment instructions can be found on the parking machine digital screen or on surrounding official City signage. The only way to pay for City parking is through parking machines using the digital payment prompts, where certain payment options are accepted like coins, payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Wallet or major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) at all locations.

Any QR code found on a City paid parking machine is not legitimate and should not be scanned.

How to spot a fraudulent QR code

Fraudulent QR code stickers are often placed over existing signage or payment instructions and can redirect users to fake payment websites that look legitimate but are designed to steal personal and financial information.

Residents are encouraged to watch for these common warning signs before scanning QR codes. Here are a few things to look for:

• A sticker placed on or near a parking machine, rather than built into the equipment.
• A QR code that asks you to scan to pay for parking.
• A payment website that looks official but has a slightly different web address or spelling.
• QR codes that appear to include partial logos or branding to look legitimate.

Anyone who encounters a suspicious QR code on a City paid parking machine is encouraged to avoid scanning it. Instead report it directly to the City by calling 311. By calling 311, City staff can remove fraudulent stickers quickly and protect others from falling victim to the scam.

What to do if you scanned and paid for parking using this fraudulent QR code

Anyone who may have scanned one of these codes should know they are not alone. Peel Regional Police regularly warn residents that scammers increasingly use fraudulent links and QR codes to steal personal and financial information.

Scams like this are occurring in cities across Canada. Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to this scam and may have scanned a QR code should know they are not alone and, where personal or financial information has been compromised, are encouraged to:

• Immediately contact their credit card company and or financial institution and report the incident so appropriate steps can be taken.
• Report it to the City immediately by calling 311.
• Monitor financial account activity for unauthorized transactions or suspicious activity.

If you’re a victim of fraud, visit a Peel Regional Police Division/Community station to file a Fraud Report. Reports are not taken over the phone.

Peel Regional Police advise the public to be cautious when asked to provide payment details through unfamiliar websites or digital prompts, especially in public spaces. Residents are encouraged to verify payment methods through trusted sources and report suspected fraud to their financial institution.

How does the City use QR codes

The City may use QR codes in official promotional materials to share information or direct users to City webpages. Those QR codes are accompanied by clear branding and a City customized URL that residents can type directly into their browser.

QR codes will never be placed on parking machines or used to process parking payments.

The City wants to reassure residents that on‑street parking in Mississauga remains safe to use. QR codes have never been a legitimate method of payment at City parking machines. Avoiding QR codes and using the payment instructions shown on the parking machine screen fully protects residents from this type of scam.

Tags

• Parking
• Public Safety