Scammers have placed fake QR codes on pay-and-display machines in the hope unsuspecting drivers will scan them.

Dover District Council (DDC) is warning people to be vigilant after the codes were spotted in a number of car parks across the district.

The authority says it is working to get them removed as a “matter of urgency”, but has put out the warning in a bid to raise awareness.

It said: “We have been made aware of QR codes being placed on our pay-and-display machines.

“We are currently in the process of checking all the machines in our district and removing them as a matter of urgency, but want to make the general public aware.

“We do not offer QR codes as a means for payment of parking fees, on or off-street.

“Please do not use QR codes to pay for your parking in any of our car parks or on-street bays, please use either the pay and display machines or use our cashless app, RingGo.”