Scam Alert
Hello and welcome to Scam Or Reliable.
Scam Alert
A new type of fraud involves placing a fake penalty notice on car windscreens with a QR code to pay the fine.
Stay vigilant: this trap redirects to a fraudulent website designed to collect your banking details.
Since early 2026, motorists have discovered documents placed on their windscreens that imitate an official penalty notice. This fake ticket includes a QR code inviting the driver to pay the fine quickly online.
Scammers place a document on vehicles that looks like a penalty notice for illegal parking or a traffic violation. The message encourages drivers to scan a QR code to pay the fine immediately.
The code redirects to a fraudulent website that imitates official government administrative pages. When the victim enters their banking details to pay the supposed fine, the data is captured and later used to carry out fraudulent payments and empty the victim’s account.
Warning signs : QR code to pay a fine, suspicious web address or one very similar to an official site, poorly printed document or one without a valid administrative reference, request for immediate payment, absence of complete official notices.
If you find a suspicious document on your windscreen, do not scan the QR code and do not attempt any payment. Always verify the fine through official channels before taking any action.
You can report this fraud to Report Fraud (UK) or the Federal Trade Commission reporting platform (US), and obtain cybersecurity advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (UK) or the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (US).
Reporting this type of scam on official platforms and warning those around you helps prevent other motorists from falling into the trap.
To better understand online scams and adopt the right reflexes, also see: Fraud, scams and online deception: how to protect yourself and respond and Key points to follow to avoid most online scams.
Scam Or Reliable: The free and independent reference dedicated to anti-fraud alerts, the identification of deceptive practices and the protection of internet users against online risks. Our team publishes analyses, reports and prevention content to help everyone spot signs of fraud, verify the credibility of a message, a website or an offer, and adopt the right reflexes when faced with digital scams.
Its goal: to contribute to the fight against scams, phishing, fake websites, identity theft, commercial manipulation and other forms of online fraud by providing clear, rigorous and useful content based on the analysis of verifiable signals, testimonies and reliable sources.
Transparency statement: In order to keep this website free and running properly, some pages may include affiliate links or other forms of monetisation. This does not affect either the displayed price or the editorial independence of our content.
Warnings: Our articles are intended for information and prevention purposes and do not constitute official recommendations or personalised legal, financial or technical advice. The information provided is indicative only and must be verified with the relevant organisations, services or contacts depending on the situation. We disclaim any liability in the event of error, omission or misuse. If you notice any inaccuracy, please contact us.
Consumer Reviews and Testimonials