Sioux Falls Alerts Residents How to Avoid Parking Meter Scams
As of May 1st, parking in downtown Sioux Falls has undergone a few changes. Along with these changes comes the potential for parking meter-related scams.
That's why the city of Sioux Falls is busy alerting residents right now of the different things to watch out for to avoid becoming the victim of a scammer.
Parking in downtown Sioux Falls can now be done with cash, credit, or on your mobile device. As Dakota News Now reports, motorists can now use Payment Kiosks, the Park Smarter App, and the newly implemented Text-To-Pay option.
Here's how Text-To-Pay works...
You text a code to a number, and it will send you a secure link for payment.
Matt Nelson, Public Parking & Utility Billing Manager for the city of Sioux Falls, told Dakota News Now, "You actually pay by your license plate, and so you can move in the zone with that, but it’s pretty quick, takes about 15 to 25 seconds to pay. If your card is on file. probably takes 10 to 15 seconds to pay,”
Text-To-Pay will provide the user with a secure link that will come back to their phone, making it safe to pay. But scammers can be crafty and will pounce on an opportunity once they see one. The city is reminding drivers to keep their eyes open for anything that looks out of the ordinary regarding parking meters, this includes QR codes.
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Nelson told Dakota News Now, “With the new system, there are no QR codes. We’re moving away from QR codes. We know that there have been some scams and frauds nationwide. We have not seen it here in Sioux Falls, but if they do see that, they obviously need to report it to us. If they see something that looks questionable, we would immediately remove that if we saw it, and for people out there that are looking to avoid that scam.”
What should you do if you run across a QR Code on a meter?
The first thing is to use caution. According to the Better Business Bureau, scanning the code and clicking the link provided could lead you to a malicious site. The BBB highly recommends motorists download a QR scanner with added protection to scan those codes to alert you of any possible scams they may carry.
Dakota News Now reports that the city is now in the process of updating all meters with the new Text-To-Pay messaging.
The city of Sioux Falls is moving towards the digital option as it looks to make things more convenient and ultimately more secure for residents.
Be advised, if you choose to pay for downtown parking via the Text-To-Pay option, it does carry an additional 45-cent convenience fee.
Get up to speed on all the recent parking changes made to downtown Sioux Falls, and get additional information on parking meter scams here.
Source: Dakota News Now
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