QR Code scams are on the rise. What are some of QR Code related scams you’ve witnessed? And what can we do to avoid falling prey?

General discussion
1

QR codes are increasingly being used to steal your information/money, and different QR Code scams have popped up.

What are some QR Code scams that you should worry about?

What can we do as businesses and individuals to protect us from these scams?

2

These are some QR code related scams I recently read about

  1. Parking Meter Scam - Fraudulent QR codes placed on parking meters lead users to fake payment sites to steal financial information. - Link

  2. Fake Package Notifications - Scammers send unexpected packages with QR codes, luring recipients to malicious sites under the guise of tracking or returning items. - Link

  3. Donation Scams - Fake QR codes solicit charitable donations, directing funds to scammers instead of legitimate causes. - Link

3

I was a victim of the parking QR Code scam. I was in a rush to pay for parking and scanned a QR code on the meter, thinking it was legit.

Turns out, it was a fake sticker placed over the real one. I paid by scanning the QR Code, thinking it was legit. When I came back to return home, I was stopped at the parking exit to pay for parking fees. I argued that Ive already paid for it.

I pulled up my transaction history, and sure enough, the payment had gone to an unfamiliar account.

I was left frustrated and embarrassed :crying_face:, I had no choice but to pay again.