Motorists are being urged to check their banks after using a council’s parking machines amid a scam.

Mid Sussex District Council is warning people who have used its car parks in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead as fraudulent QR codes have been found on payment machines.

These QR codes, which claim to be for the Pay By Phone service, are designed to trick people into handing over their card details.

Mid Sussex District Council has reminded residents it does not use Pay By Phone for parking payments and uses Mi Permit.

READ MORE: Motorists warned of scam parking websites and stickers on display machines

The council’s enforcement officers have removed the fake QR codes and are inspecting other machines to ensure the safety of residents.

Stock image of scanning a QR code. Fraudulent QR codes have been found on car parking machines in Mid SussexStock image of scanning a QR code. Fraudulent QR codes have been found on car parking machines in Mid Sussex (Image: Marielle Ursua)

Enforcement officers are dedicated to maintaining the security of parking facilities, the council said, and are working to remove any remaining illegal QR codes.

Councillor Chris Hobbs, deputy leader and cabinet member for leisure and customer services, said: "This is a national issue and we are committed to educating the public and safeguarding our community. We urge all residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious QR codes or activities in our car parks to our parking team.”

People who have scanned a QR code on machines recently are told to check bank statements for any suspicious activity and report any unusual transactions to their bank as soon as possible.