Officials warn of parking scam near Riverside's Mission Inn

Riverside city officials have issued a warning to people visiting the area for the Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn to beware of a parking scam happening around pay stations near the downtown area. 

On Thursday, officials said that scammers had placed numerous fake QR codes on parking pay stations near the world-famous Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, which directs people who scan the code to a fake website that asks for their credit card information. 

The scam is the second to happen near the Mission Inn in just the last two months, after scammers were selling fake tickets to the free festival online. 

People are advised to protect their information by double-checking the size QR code, officials said. The smaller codes are likely fake, they said. Visitors can also download Riverside's official app for parking payments, or visit RiversideCA.gov/parking.

Anyone who spots a suspicious QR code is urged to contact city staff by calling 311, (951) 826-5311 or RiversideCA.gov/apps.