EV Charger Payment Scams: How Thieves Are Targeting Electric Vehicle Drivers

With the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and the charging stations that service them, there are also plenty of scams rising to meet them. EV charging stations are unfamiliar territory to some, and scammers exploit this (along with the hurry of daily life) to steal not only your money, but your personal details, too. In this article, we’ll be looking at EV charger payment scams and how to protect against them.

The Different Types of EV Charger Scams

There are a few major types of fraud surrounding charging stations you need to be aware of:

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EV QR Scam

This EV charger payment scam, a type of “quishing,” is an example of how scammers can exploit QR codes. The scammer slaps a QR code sticker on the charging station, usually over the original one. The victim, usually in a hurry or not in the know, scans the code, is taken to a legitimate-looking website, and is asked to input their payment or personal details or download malware.

This spoofing is designed to closely mimic the charging station being targeted, so it is often hard to tell.

Fraudulent Apps

As mentioned above, the scammers may also have developed an app that closely mimics the charging company being targeted. As many charging companies rely on apps for payment, directing victims to download an app is an easy way to get their details.

Card Skimming

An older form of fraud associated with ATMs and payment terminals. When a victim inserts their card to pay, a skimmer attached to or inserted into the machine can steal information from the card.

Fake Charging Station

This is rarer, but still a concern. Scammers set up an entire charging station of their own and rely on unfamiliarity and advertised specials to draw victims in. The charging stations may not actually provide charging, but their associated payment methods can still collect users’ payment information. These are often stations that show up on navigation apps. But because of the effort that goes into setting these up, these stations are quite rare.

Phishing Attempts

Here, the scammers engage in some good old phishing, imitating a popular EV charging company and sending victims messages about fraudulent account activity, outstanding balances, and more. This also comes with a threat of action, like fines or account suspension. The victim follows the link and enters their banking details, only to be scammed.

Protecting Yourself From These Scams

Of course, protecting yourself from these scams is vital to staying safe. Here are some of our pointers:

Inspect the QR code sticker at the charging station. If it looks crooked, appears to have been placed over another sticker, or shows other signs of tampering, don’t trust it. The same goes for any tamper seal on the card terminal.
Preview any URL before opening it. Check the hyperlink. See that it aligns with the EV charging company.
If possible, opt for contactless payment options to avoid card skimming.
When in doubt, don’t follow any QR code or link sent to you, but rely on the official app of the charging station itself. In the case of unknown stations, see that the app is in an official store like Google Play or the App Store.
Verify an unfamiliar EV charging station through the charging network’s official website or app, and use navigation apps and reviews as additional sources of information.
Monitor the charges to your account and the rates advertised. If there’s any discrepancy, contact your bank immediately.

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