A CCTV image shows three men suspected of applying the fake QR code decals to parking meters in Kelowna (Image Credit: City of Kelowna)

By Vernon Matters Staff

Stopped in their tracks

Major Kelowna parking scam thwarted

Feb 17, 2026 | 5:21 PM

A major parking scam has been thwarted in Kelowna.

The City said the suspects placed unauthorized QR code decals on 75 parking pay stations.

If motorists had used them their payment would have gone straight to the fraudsters, not the PayByPhone vendor.

City staff noticed the illegal stickers on the meters, security spotted three suspects, and RCMP have launched a fraud investigation.

This CCTV image shows one of three men suspected of applying the fake QR code decals to parking meters in Kelowna (Image Credit: City of Kelowna)

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In a media release the City said the diligence of Kelowna Parking Services staff likely averted a mass fraud Thursday by noticing the unauthorized QR code decals on parking pay stations.

“We acted quickly to inspect all our parking meters and pay stations early Thursday to determine if additional equipment was impacted and quickly removed fraudulent QR code decals from approximately 75 pieces of pay parking equipment,” Cody Passley, Parking Services Supervisor, said.

The City of Kelowna Parking Services does not use QR codes for parking payments.

“We recommend downloading the PayByPhone app directly from your phone’s designated app store to ensure the authorized application is being used to pay for parking in City of Kelowna on- and off-street pay parking areas,” Passley said.