In the coming weeks a number of parking machines will be removed as the York council moves to cashless parking, however the Keeping Digital Foundation are urging motorists to be cautious of scams. 
Back in February, the City of York Council agreed that the majority of the authority’s car parking would go cash free. It’s in a bid to save money by removing the costs of maintaining machines and also avoiding the risk of thefts. 
 
Whilst initial plans had all council car parks as cash-free, with thanks to public consulation, Bootham Row and Castle Car Park will continue to allow motorists to pay for parking by cash. 
 
Whilst no such cases have been seen in York, there has been a spate of fake QR codes being stuck on payment machines at car parks across the UK, and it is a possibility scammers may take advantage of this change. 
 
The Keeping Digital Foundation, Yorkshire & Humber's leading digital inclusivity charitable organisation, are advising drivers to be ‘very vigilant’ when paying for parking online to avoid being scammed. 
Check to see if it has been stuck onto the parking payment machine. Tell-tale signs are the code looking too big or if it partially obscures official information underneath 
Make sure the payment website’s URL is secure and is the official site for the company you want to pay. Always check the domain name, as a fake website may differ by only one character. The City of York Council have partnered with Pay By Phone to faciliate online parking payments, so it's vital you use the offical Pay By Phone app or that the website address is paybyphone.com
If you’re concerned you’ve used a false code, check your bank statement and banking app for any suspicious transactions. 
If someone calls you claiming to work for your bank, ask for a reference number, then phone your bank’s actual number from a letter they have sent or from their official website. Never ring the number the caller gives you over the phone or via email 
 
The Keeping Digital Foundation will continue to look out for residents and ensure that no residents are forgotten about, especially as 1 in 5 adults lack the most basic digital skills needed for everyday life. We urge anyone who is concerned about scams to email us, call us, or to visit your nearest Digital Cafe support service. We're here to help. 
 
You can email the Keeping Digital Foundation at support@keepingdigital.org.uk, or can call one of our volunteers on 01904 900127. 

Luke 

Co-Founder and Community Coordinator 
Tagged as: Digital Inclusion
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