The city of Ottawa warns residents of a scam recently discovered in parking meter stations involving fake QR codes.

A fake QR code sticker has been attached to various devices, and when scanned with a smartphone, residents are directed to a counterfeit version of the PayByPhone website.

Ottawa city said yesterday, Friday: "Residents are asked not to scan any QR code placed on the payment and display machine, as the city does not include this option on the machines."

The city stickers that appear on parking meters do not include QR codes. Instead, they instruct users to visit paybyphone.com, or download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or call 613-691-1700. The fraudulent stickers include a QR code that directs users to a URL of a website that contains the phrase "pay by phone."

If you are a victim of this scam, we encourage you to contact your credit card company and report it to the Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222.

Ottawa City said: "There are about 650 payment and display machines throughout Ottawa, and staff are checking all of them to remove the fraudulent stickers."

If you see a QR code on any of these machines, call 3-1-1 to alert staff so that the stickers can be removed immediately."