Quishing Parking Scams: Dick Lovett Experts Warn Drivers, Bolton 2026

Key Points

• Motoring experts at Dick Lovett have raised concerns about “quishing” scams targeting drivers using fake QR codes on parking machines
• Bolton Council issued a similar warning one year ago after fake QR codes were found on pay and display machines around Bolton town centre
• New research shows 42% of drivers would scan a QR code to pay for parking without checking if it was genuine
• 19% of drivers said they had already been scammed while trying to park
• 62% of drivers aged 25 to 34 said they would scan a parking QR code without question
• Alex Lee, motoring expert at Dick Lovett, explained quishing involves fake QR code stickers placed over legitimate ones
• 58% of drivers have experienced problems with parking apps
• 67% of drivers prefer paying at a machine rather than using an app
• Fake QR codes direct drivers to convincing websites mimicking genuine parking services that steal personal and payment information

Bolton (Manchester Mirror) June 18, 2026 – Drivers across the UK are facing an urgent warning about a sophisticated parking scam that has seen a significant rise in reports, with motoring experts at Dick Lovett raising serious concerns about “quishing” fraud targeting motorists attempting to pay for parking.

As reported by the editorial team at The Bolton News, the warning comes just one year after Bolton Council issued a similar alert to drivers, urging them to be vigilant after fake QR codes were discovered on pay and display machines around Bolton town centre. The recurrence of this fraud pattern suggests scammers are continuing to exploit drivers’ reliance on digital payment methods.

How Does Quishing Fraud Actually Work on Parking Machines?

Alex Lee, motoring expert at Dick Lovett, provided detailed explanation of the quishing mechanism. As reported by Alex Lee of Dick Lovett, he stated: “Quishing is a term used to describe fraud using fake QR codes. It’s one of the most commonly used types of fraud for tricking motorists into making parking payments or sharing personal information.”

Lee continued with specific details about the execution method. As reported by Alex Lee of Dick Lovett, he explained:

“It is usually carried out by placing fake QR code stickers over legitimate ones on parking machines or signage. When scanned, drivers are directed to convincing-looking websites that mimic genuine parking payment services. You’ll be asked to give up personal information and payment details, which are then taken by the scammers.”

What Do the Latest Statistics Reveal About Driver Vulnerability?

New research conducted by Dick Lovett reveals alarming statistics about driver susceptibility to quishing scams. The survey found that 42% of drivers would scan a QR code to pay for parking without checking if it was genuine, representing a significant security gap in public parking payment practices.

The data shows the problem is particularly severe among younger drivers. As reported in the Dick Lovett research, 62% of drivers aged 25 to 34 said they would scan a parking QR code without question, making this demographic especially vulnerable to QR code fraud attempts.

The real-world impact of this vulnerability is substantial. According to the Dick Lovett survey, 19% of drivers said they had already been scammed while trying to park, indicating that quishing has already caused significant financial harm to nearly one in five motorists.

Why Are Drivers Frustrated with Digital Parking Systems?

Beyond the quishing threat, Dick Lovett’s research uncovered widespread frustration with existing digital parking systems. Almost three in five drivers, representing 58%, said they had experienced problems with parking apps, suggesting technical issues plague the digital parking infrastructure.

The survey reveals a clear preference among motorists for traditional payment methods. Two-thirds of drivers, equaling 67%, said they would prefer to pay at a machine rather than using an app, indicating that the shift toward app-based parking payments may not align with driver preferences.

This frustration with digital systems may paradoxically increase quishing vulnerability. Drivers experiencing problems with parking apps might be more likely to seek alternative payment methods, including QR codes, without verifying their authenticity.

What Warning Did Bolton Council Issue One Year Ago?

The current quishing warning follows a similar alert issued by Bolton Council approximately one year ago. As reported by The Bolton News, Bolton Council warned drivers to be vigilant after fake QR codes were found on pay and display machines around Bolton town centre.

This earlier incident demonstrates that quishing fraud has been an active threat in the Bolton area for at least a year, with scammers consistently targeting parking payment infrastructure in the town centre. The recurrence of warnings suggests that despite previous alerts, the fraud continues to persist and potentially expand.

How Can Drivers Protect Themselves from Quishing Scams?

While the Dick Lovett experts did not provide an exhaustive list of protective measures in their statement, the nature of quishing fraud suggests several practical steps drivers can take. Motorists should visually inspect QR codes for signs of tampering, such as stickers placed over legitimate codes, before scanning.

Drivers should verify that QR codes lead to official parking payment websites by checking website URLs carefully before entering any payment information. The convincing appearance of fraudulent websites, as described by Alex Lee, means drivers cannot rely solely on visual appearance to determine legitimacy.

Given that 67% of drivers prefer machine payment over apps, using traditional payment cards at machines rather than QR code scanning may provide an additional layer of security against quishing fraud.

Background: What Is the Development History of Quishing Fraud Targeting Drivers?

Quishing, a term combining “QR” and “phishing,” represents a specific evolution of phishing fraud that exploits the widespread adoption of QR code technology in public payment systems. The fraud method gained particular prominence in parking payment infrastructure, where QR codes offer convenient mobile payment options for motorists.

The Bolton Council case from 2025 represents one of the documented early instances of quishing targeting parking machines in the UK. The discovery of fake QR code stickers placed over legitimate ones on pay and display machines in Bolton town centre demonstrated the physical nature of this fraud, requiring scammers to physically access parking infrastructure to install fraudulent codes.

Dick Lovett’s involvement as a motoring expert organization highlights the growing recognition of quishing as a significant threat to driver security. The organization’s research, which surveyed driver behavior and vulnerability to QR code fraud, provides quantitative evidence of the problem’s scale and helps identify which demographics face the highest risk.

The fraud mechanism relies on several technological and psychological factors. QR codes’ simplicity and ubiquity in modern payment systems mean drivers expect to see them at parking machines, reducing skepticism. The convenience of mobile payment through QR scanning creates pressure to complete transactions quickly, potentially overriding security caution. Finally, the convincing appearance of fraudulent websites, as described by Alex Lee, exploits drivers’ inability to distinguish legitimate from fraudulent payment portals through visual inspection alone.

Prediction: How Will This Quishing Development affect UK Drivers in the Coming Years?

The rise in quishing scams targeting drivers will likely have several significant effects on UK motorists in the coming years. First, drivers will face increased financial risk, with the current 19% victim rate potentially growing as scammers expand their operations beyond Bolton to other UK towns and cities. Given that 42% of drivers would scan QR codes without verification, the vulnerable population remains substantial.

Younger drivers aged 25 to 34 face particularly high risk, with 62% willing to scan parking QR codes without question. This demographic’s elevated vulnerability means quishing fraud could disproportionately affect younger motorists’ financial security, potentially resulting in thousands of pounds in stolen payments and compromised personal information across the UK.

The frustration with digital parking systems, evidenced by 58% experiencing app problems and 67% preferring machine payment, may create a paradoxical effect. While drivers seeking to avoid app problems might turn to QR codes, increasing quishing exposure, the overall distrust of digital systems could eventually slow the adoption of QR-based parking payment infrastructure that municipalities and parking operators are promoting.

Parking operators and local councils will likely face increased pressure to implement security measures against quishing, potentially including QR code authentication systems, physical security for payment machines, or alternative payment options that don’t rely on QR scanning. This could increase operational costs for parking facilities and potentially lead to higher parking fees for drivers.

Driver education initiatives will likely become more prominent, with motoring organizations like Dick Lovett and local councils such as Bolton Council issuing warnings and guidance about quishing prevention. These education efforts may help reduce the 42% vulnerability rate over time, but will require sustained effort given the convenient nature of QR code parking payments and scammers’ continued refinement of their techniques.

The quishing threat may also influence insurance considerations for drivers, with some insurers potentially offering protection against parking fraud or requiring drivers to demonstrate basic security practices when using QR code parking payments. This represents an emerging category of motor-related fraud that could become standard in driver insurance considerations.