Forum Topic

Warning! Parking meter scam still going

Keswick Rd today, Tall, large man looming over small elderly lady beside a parking meter. She was on her mobile.  I realised what was happening and went up to her and said 'This is a scam'.He immediately manoeuvred his large self between us, pointed to the URR and said "The hospital is down there darling.' giving me a shove in that direction. (It isn't and despite the stick I didn't;t want it anyway.)  I walked round him back to her but she was already speaking on the number he'd given her. She said "This gentleman is helping me, my card is stuck in the machine "  He said "So is mine." I said , "No its a scam."  He pushed between us again and she let it be known that all was well, and without saying it let it be known that I should mind my own business.  He then, with a face like thunder, gave me a firm shunt in the direction of the URR and, given that the scam was so far along, she wouldn't believe me, no one was around and the police couldn't have got there in time (unless they were passing) I'm afraid I gave up. I feel so concerned for her bank balance - and very useless - but at least I can warn others.

Judy Allen ● 421d11 Comments

My wife found that if you responded to the original scammer in French (which she did a few years ago when this scam first started) the scammer was really disconcerted - which is how she knew it was a scam.Mind you, a friend of mine from my university days responded to the scammer: let you use my credit card; you must think I'm mad! (I think both suggested there was a phone number on the machine to call in varying degrees of politeness ...)

Michael Ixer ● 419d

Fake QR codes are another scam. Interestingly, a colleague and I discussed thus risk circa 15 years ago or whenever QR codes were introduced :-)

Michael Ixer ● 419d

Not very useful or constructive Barbara.  There is never only one scam going - otherwise more people would recognise them.This seems to be the one that was happening a while back AND which H&F had put notices on their parking meters about because I saw them:https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-mail/20210908/282273848479024

Philippa Bond ● 419d

Please could everyone warn any vulnerable people they know that there is a scam going on around parking meters.  It begins with someone, usually a man with a fake French accent, asking for help with a parking meter because it has 'swallowed' his French credit card.  Goes on to say that if you insert a card of yours that will cause his and your cards to come back out.  It goes on - but as soon as someone tells you their card had been 'swallowed' by the machine and asks you to ut your card in - walk away as swiftly as you are able.

Judy Allen ● 419d

Go back to Ealing site.  Judy was at the scene of the crime, don't twist things, making out you know everything.

Barbara Stevens ● 419d

There are those weird black and white QR codes that you need an app on a smartphone to read (I think).  I believe they can give you the info needed to pay by card BUT I have heard of them having FAKE QR CODES stuck on top of the genuine ones so that your payment when taken does not go to the right place.On bank cash machines there are sometimes fake card slots fitted on top of the genuine ones so that your card can be swallowed.  The safest ones are inside but... the banks keep on closing down.

Philippa Bond ● 419d

Yes, Barbara I will tell the police - and Gerry, you are of course right about parking meters not able to swallow cards, it will have been sleight of hand, but he had totally reeled her in by the time I passed and she wouldn't listen to me, so I was stuck.By the way Barbara, he was very careful not to touch me but just to manoeuvre me with his bulk.  He didn't;t assault me but even though he'd got her hooked, he wanted me out of the way. And of course it's not only that the people they hook are vulnerable, it's also that they're kind and willing to help. Which makes it more horrible,

Judy Allen ● 421d

I think it is important to clarify that parking meter machines CANNOT swallow cards. It is just a slot with a solid back; the card will always be sticking out of it so you can retrieve it.If it has gone, it is because someone has pulled it out. It is most likely that the helpful bloke swiped the card, passed it to someone else and they got busy spending on-line while the victim called a fake 'helpline' number to report an issue with the parking machine. If anyone is conned this way, the only thing to do is call the bank and stop the card immediately.

Gerry Boyce ● 421d

Also ring Police because there might be a camera, that saw him.

Barbara Stevens ● 421d

Judy, I wish you had been around when I fell for this scam about 3 years ago at the parking meter in Norroy Rd.  The thieves rely on the kindness of strangers.  Once your card is in the machine you can’t get it back.  They rely on sleight of hand to remove it and then make off to the nearest banks.  Thankfully my bank refunded the money I lost. The man was aged about 30 and I thought his parents were in a nearby car keeping watch

Martine Guy ● 421d

Hi Judy, try ringing 101 and reporting perhaps some signs can be put up. Also if he touched you it is assault, I think you should ring the Police and give them a description and the time it happened. You could ring 999 as he might still be hanging around the area.

Barbara Stevens ● 421d