Scammers are wreaking havoc in Trafford by posting fraudulent QR codes on pay-and-display parking machines.

Drivers are being encouraged to stay vigilant after parking wardens spotted four of these counterfeit codes in Oakland's Drive car park alone.

Extensive checks to other locations such as Warrener Street and Hampson Street, Sale Moor, have unearthed additional suspect codes.

To address this growing menace, officers are now routinely inspecting the parking machines across all boroughs.

Trafford Council have been keen to emphasise that their car parks have never engaged in the use of QR codes, rendering any existing ones, fraudulent.

Cllr Rose Thompson, executive member for communities and safety, said: "These scammers will stop at nothing to defraud innocent people of their money.

"It's happened in other parts of the UK and people have lost thousands of pounds after inputting their details into the fake website.

"We urge people to be careful." 

She further advised council-owned car park users to pay using their cards or download the RingGo app.

This handy tool not only supports convenient payments, but it also enables users to track their parking time or add more if needed.

Residents are urged to promptly report any suspicious activity to parking@trafford.gov.uk.