QR Code Cons Exposed

Scammers exploit QR codes to direct users to fake websites or install malware, risking identity theft and financial loss. Always verify the source of a QR code and use secure scanning apps to protect yourself from these threats.

The Rise of QR Code Scams

The QR code’s recent explosion in popularity has given rise to some very poor practices. The codes, which allow smartphone users to instantly access web content, are found everywhere you look these days. But are they found everywhere for good reason? Or are they actually a threat? Are we, in putting our very identities and our wealth on the line, the real QR code scammers?

Con artists have discovered clever ways to take advantage of these codes. Picture yourself trying to pay for parking in San Antonio, Texas, only to scan a QR code that leads you to a counterfeit website where you pay a sham vendor. Or imagine getting a QR code through a text or email that tells you to act quickly about a problem that doesn’t exist, such as an undelivered package. These scams are intended to get you to scan the code so that you will share your personal information—though, in many cases, they work even if you don’t scan the code at all.

You could be sent to a fake site that looks like the real thing when you scan a tampered QR code. Entering your personal info at that point lets the bad guys make your info disappear, like it was never in your possession to begin with. And sometimes, just the act of scanning can unleash malware, waiting to do the dirty deed. The FTC’s got a warning about this, but maybe the better part of valor is just to avoid the QR code altogether.

“Forgeries of QR codes can transport you to counterfeit websites or even load malware onto your device — with the same end goal as any other online fraud: to pilfer your identity and your cash.”

The scammers’ love for QR codes parallels our own. The maxim “caveat emptor” (let the buyer beware) has never been more appropriate for our interactions with these flexible, reliable, and deceptively simple bits of graphic art. How can you tell a trustworthy QR code from an untrustworthy one? Look with your eyes and trust your instincts. If the code seems to have sprung up in an odd place or for an odd reason, it might be a ticket to trouble.

How Scammers Exploit QR Codes

Fraudsters have found sneaky ways to misuse QR codes, and we may inadvertently help them by being too trusting of these seemingly harmless codes. When we see a QR code, we may think, oh, this is a way to get more information, or, this is a way to get a special offer. But that’s exactly the kind of trust a scammer might want us to have when we’re encountered by a QR code they’ve put out in the world, like in a park or near the entrance to a shop.

Deceptive QR codes often lead users to phishing websites or fake payment portals where they try to get information that they shouldn’t have and, you know, this is something that really should have been predicted. I mean, how much money has been lost in this way, what with the urgent texts and emails users receive with the package delivery problem, and oh, why don’t you just scan this QR code to help us out, and then, bam, you get directed into a digital carnival of mirrors where we have to pay attention.

The deceptive tactics that scammers use have evolved, and as we noted during the 2022 Super Bowl, where so many celebrity cameos were made, they now include QR codes—those little black-and-white boxes that we scan to get to a website. Or, at least, to a website that we hope is legit. Scammers can use both static and dynamic QR codes. With static codes, you get what you see; there’s no changing the underlying information. The real danger is with dynamic QR codes, which are updateable, and we don’t even know we’re being directed to a potentially harmful website after we scan the code.

It is crucial to remain vigilant and to interrogate unexpected QR codes. Whether they appear in public places or come to us via unsolicited means, we should approach them with the suspicion we would give any other unexpected, unsolicited, or uninvited communication. Scanning only codes from trusted sources—just as we would only scan bar codes from trusted sources—might keep us safe from these cleverly disguised scams. As security expert Paul Ducklin puts it, “The elegance of the QR code’s simplicity is also its vulnerability—always know where a barcode might lead you before you scan.”

Protect Yourself from QR Code Scams

In our everyday lives, we have access to QR codes that send us zipping over to all kinds of websites and even onto payment portals. They’re quick and convenient. But in an age when convenience is the number one rule of our digital lives, how often do we stop to think about the safety of the technologies we use? And even better, how many of us take the time to use our QR reader’s safety features?

The surest way to protect yourself from QR code fraud is to always verify the source before scanning. You should be especially careful with QR codes in public places, as scammers frequently attempt to substitute fraudulent codes for the legitimate ones. One instance of this was when fake QR tags were placed on parking meters in cities like Austin and San Antonio. Scanning a code you aren’t 100 percent sure about, though, is like giving hackers the keys to your castle.

Be careful when scanning QR codes. Look closely at the URL preview that appears. Only click on links that you are 100 percent sure are safe and that match the kind of address you would expect for that website. Scanning a QR code can sometimes be nearly as dangerous as opening an attachment or clicking a link in an email.

Choose to use secure applications expressly designed for scanning QR codes. These applications frequently come with features that ferret out harmful links before you even visit them. When you handle a QR code of unknown provenance, this is a good safety measure to take.

Some experts refer to the rising threat of QR codes combined with phishing attacks as “quishing.” This method involves embedding malicious links in QR codes. They can appear in any number of communications, both digital and physical. They are like that hug you didn’t want from an uncle and you didn’t know how to get out of without looking rude. If you encounter a QR code, don’t scan it unless you’re sure it’s safe. Don’t scan it if you’re not sure it’s legitimate. If you do scan a QR code, and it looks like it’s leading you to a website, take a minute and actually look at the URL that’s loading in front of you.

A careful way of dealing with QR codes can ensure safe surreptitious navigation of the digital world. David Nield of WIRED puts it this way: “QR codes can point to fraudulent websites just as easily as genuine ones, and you don’t necessarily know which it’s going to be before you visit it” (WIRED). The bottom line is, if you look at a QR code and have even a smattering of doubt about it, don’t scan it. Use a light beam instead.

Consumer Safety Digest: Trusted Tips

The Consumer Safety Digest offers reliable advice to ensure your personal information is secure when using QR codes and other potentially unsafe technologies.

Moving through the online domain requires constant watchfulness, particularly given the burgeoning menace of QR code swindles. These black-and-white squares, which appear mostly harmless, can guide unsuspecting users right into the snares of con artists. There are a number of things you can do to keep yourself safe, according to the experts.

• Verify Source Reliability: Before scanning any QR code, consider its source. Is it part of an official display, or could it have been placed by someone with malicious intent? Ensure you’re scanning codes from trusted locations or businesses.
• Use Secure Scanning Apps: Secure apps can serve as the first line of defense by detecting if a link is malicious. Always opt for scanning tools that provide this extra layer of security.
• Be Wary of Unsolicited QR Codes: Treat QR codes in unexpected emails or mailed advertisements with caution. Scammers target these mediums to direct users to fraudulent websites.
• Preview URLs Carefully: Before you proceed with visiting a site from a QR code scan, preview the URL to ascertain its legitimacy. This simple step can prevent you from accessing dubious websites set to harvest your data.
• Maintain Updated Security Protocols: Keep device security patches current, and enable features such as two-factor authentication. These measures bolster defenses if malicious attempts persist.
• Watch Out for Signs of Scams: Scammers often create urgency—avoid QR codes that demand immediate action, like verifying personal information or special offer claims.

A cybersecurity expert named Ryan Oliveira says that “scammers are constantly evolving their approach” and that it is crucial for consumers to stay in the know and be on guard. Oliveira and I would recommend these steps as the best practice for protecting yourself against falling victim to a QR code scam.

FAQ

What are QR code scams?

The use of fraud has always followed convenience, and in the digital age, QR codes are the latest target. People use them for all sorts of things, like paying at the register or accessing a restaurant menu. But scammers are using them too. And to understand how, we must first look at how these codes work.

How do QR code scams work?

Fraudsters design counterfeit QR codes that look like the real thing and put them in places like public venues or email messages. Yet, while the QR code itself may appear legitimate, it will take you anywhere but a safe destination—if and when it takes you anywhere at all. There are two basic ways scammers use QR codes: to get you to a phishing site or to a site that will download malware to your device.

Where might I encounter fraudulent QR codes?

Various locations might host fraudulent QR codes. For example, they can be found affixed to imitation parking meters, sent in surprising text messages or emails, or displayed in unexpected public places like store windows and bus stops. They might also show up on things like flyers or advertisements.

How can I protect myself from QR code scams?

To protect yourself from QR code scams, always check to ensure that the QR code you’re about to scan comes from a trustworthy source. Use scanning apps that have a security layer built in and that can detect when a link is not safe. Also, remember that QR codes can be used in both physical and digital spaces, so always be on the lookout for suspicious coding.

What should I do if a QR code seems suspicious?

Don’t scan QR codes that look suspicious, especially those that try to create urgency or that show up in unexpected communications. Make sure you’re certain of the source and the content, and if anything seems a little off, feel free to not scan the code.

Can scanning a QR code immediately harm my device?

If a QR code links to malware, scanning it can make your device vulnerable. Such malware can give a hacker access to all the private or financial information on your device. Avoiding this risk isn’t hard. Just use a secure app to scan the code, and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Why is it important to preview URLs from QR codes?

It is very important to preview URLs from QR codes. It serves as a precaution and protects against “trust crimes.” If the site you are about to enter resembles a real one but is actually a fake, it could be dangerous for you.

Are dynamic QR codes more dangerous than static ones?

When you consider the legitimacy of a QR code, it helps to be aware that dynamic QR codes may carry a greater risk than static ones. This is because such codes can be updated remotely and might later ensnare you in a phishing scheme by redirecting you to a malicious site—imagine being sent to a page that looks like your bank’s but is really a well-crafted fake.

What are some recommended practices to avoid QR code scams?

Recommended actions include sourcing QR codes from trusted origins, scanning them with only the most secure applications, and keeping security software fully up to date. The use of multi-factor authentication alongside all these measures will ensure a more robust QR code security posture. Despite all these precautions, it still may be wise to remain suspicious of any QR code that you weren’t expecting to receive.