This content was created by Robert Siciliano. This content was uploaded by Robert Siciliano. This is a YouTube news segment titled "Scammers Targeting NYC Parking Meters" (Fox 5) published June 9, 2025. It is a local news report by Jessica Formoso about scammers placing fraudulent QR-code stickers on parking meters in New York City. The piece includes on-the-street interviews and official comments (DOT) describing the phishing scheme, actions taken to remove the fake site, and consumer advice (use the official Park NYC app, coins or card, and report suspicious codes). Robert Siciliano appears and is quoted as a personal/cybersecurity expert warning viewers to monitor card statements and avoid scanning unknown QR codes. Other brief interviewees and reporter narration are also present.
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I'm Robert Siciliano and I'm a personal security expert. Fox 5 watching your wallet tonight and QR codes are everywhere.
But don't use them to pay for a parking meter in the city. Fox 8's Jessica Famoso with a new warning from officials and why you should scan at your own risk.
Drivers beware, scammers are targeting parking meters and they are doing so by plastering a sticker with the QR code on the machine.
It's terrible, just another, just another scam, uh, trying to get your money.
The Department of Transportation says that QR The code is fraudulent, and if you scan it, you will be directed to a third-party website. There you will be asked to submit your payment information. You are not paying the meter, but the scammers are taking your money. If you were to see a QR code here, would you scan it or no?
No, I would not scan it. No, for obvious reasons.
Would you scan it and pay? Definitely. Yeah, I would. If I saw it on the parking meter, I would think it would be legit.
At least one fake sticker was placed on the side of a meter. The agency took action immediately, sending a notification to users, inspecting all parking meters, and working with Microsoft to remove the phishing website. DOT says it was successful in doing that.
The problem with this particular crime is if you are not paying attention to your credit card statements in real time and you actually pay the bill with those fraudulent charges on there, You're essentially responsible for that fraud.
Robert Siciliano is a cybersecurity expert. He says folks need to be more aware and to recognize the signs of a scam.
A loan QR code that is just kind of plastered on whatever point of sale, whatever payment method there might be, is usually going to be fraud. Most municipalities, most cities know at this point that there's 3 to 5 different apps that you might use, that the consumers might use to log in to pay for their parking or whatever. And as long as you have that app on your phone, generally you should be good.
The only way to pay for a parking meter here in the city is by using the official Park NYC app, or if you have coins or a credit card, all you need to do is insert it right here in the slot. Officials say if they're asking you for anything else, you must report it immediately. In Forest Hills, I'm Jessica Formoso, Fox 5 News.
