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lower parking revenue as a result of drivers Drivers warned over
being put off from parking in the first place,
something that’s surely not in any local new fake parking app
authority’s interests.
scam
“When it comes to relying on mobile apps, it’s
also important to understand what happens Drivers are being warned of fake parking
when technology fails – for instance, in the app promotions which use QR codes
event the car park is located somewhere to trick people into setting up recurring
with intermittent phone signal or if there are payments.
problems with the app a driver is trying to
use. What assurances can drivers have they A driver told consumer champion Which? they
won’t be charged unfairly or handed a penalty tried to sign up for a parking app but were
for not paying, even if they have made every directed to a website called ‘Alltainment’.
attempt to do so? This could open up a can of
worms and could be very difficult for drivers to They entered their bank details because they
prove they’ve tried to pay. thought the website was part of the parking
app. But instead they found themselves
“In the event a council still goes down the signed up for an entertainment package from
route of removing a ticket machine, signage Alltainment costing £39.99 a month.
should be clearly explain what drivers need to
do to pay to park and a phone number should The scam works when drivers search for
be provided that allows someone to pay by parking apps like JustPark, Parkonomy,
card, without demanding drivers download PayByPhone or Ringgo on their phone.
and register with another app.” If they did this through their search engine,
rather than on the app store, then the top
The Levelling-up secretary, Michael Gove,
wrote to councils in April expressing concern result was often a fraudulent website.
about drivers being ‘digitally excluded’ without Drivers can also be directed to a fraudulent
alternative payment methods being in place. website by scanning a QR code placed by
scammers at car parks.
Separately, the Department for Transport is
currently developing the National Parking Which? searched for JustPark on Google and
Platform (NPP), a publicly owned software found the top website is called ‘uk.apkpac.
platform that would make finding and paying com’. The website features a promotion for
for parking easier for drivers confident using JustPark through clickable ads which take
apps. In theory, drivers would be able to use a people to Alltainment.
single mobile app of their choice to pay.
Which? said the ads were designed and
Manchester City Council is already part of the placed in a way to make the user assume they
project with more councils expected to join it were linked to the legitimate parking app.
this year.
rac.co.uk If people are caught out, over the course of six
24 September 2023
