Don’t Scan That Code: The Rise of QR Code Phishing Scams

SYBER SECURE

“Everything looks safe… until it isn’t. The probable scam might be hiding in plain sight — right inside a QR code.”

🖊️ SHUBHRA • July 16, 2025 • Cybersecurity & QR Awareness

🕵️‍♂️ The Stranger Code: A Story Anyone Could Live

Alex was in a rush.

On a rainy Thursday evening, he spotted a courier slip stuck to his front gate. "We missed you! Scan this QR to reschedule delivery."

Simple enough. He pulled out his phone, scanned the code — and that was it.

The page looked like a standard delivery portal. He was asked to verify his name and address. The moment he hit submit, his phone buzzed strangely, and minutes later, his bank app sent him a login alert.

He’d just been “quished.”

That QR code wasn’t from any courier service. It was a clever trap — invisible to the naked eye and devastatingly effective.

📦 What is QR Code Phishing?

Quishing is a form of phishing that uses QR codes instead of traditional links. Since you can’t “read” a QR code until it’s scanned, scammers use them to:

Hide malicious links
Imitate legitimate websites
Steal sensitive information
Install spyware or ransomware

These attacks work because QR codes are trusted and convenient — and that’s exactly why scammers love them.

📂 Real Case 1: The Parking Meter Scam (Austin, Texas – 2022)

Police in Austin discovered fake QR code stickers on parking meters.

People scanned them, thinking they were paying for parking — but instead, the codes led to a fake payment site that stole credit card info.

🎯 Impact: Dozens of victims, financial loss, city-wide QR audit launched.

📂 Real Case 2: Fake Payment Screenshot Scam (Ahmedabad, India – 2025)

It was a busy afternoon at a local electronics store in Ahmedabad when a man posing as a buyer walked in.

He picked out a MacBook, claimed he would pay via UPI, and scanned the shop’s QR code.

Moments later, he showed the shopkeeper a WhatsApp screenshot that displayed a successful payment of ₹67,000.

Confident, the owner handed over the laptop — only to discover later that no money had actually arrived.

📉 The screenshot was fake. The QR code had been scanned by the scammer to make it seem like he had paid, while nothing was ever sent.

🎯 Impact: ₹67,000 loss, FIR filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

📂 Real Case 3: QR Code Sticker Swap Scam (Khajuraho, MP – 2025)

In the quiet town of Khajuraho, scammers physically replaced QR codes at multiple local businesses — including paan stalls, petrol pumps, and a medical store.

The fake stickers redirected all payments to fraudulent bank accounts, while the real shop owners remained unaware until several customers complained.

One vigilant shop owner noticed an unfamiliar name — “Chhotu Tiwari” — listed as the payee in her UPI app. This led to the discovery of the scam.

🎯 Impact: Payment diversions, multiple shop owners affected, police arrested one suspect within 72 hours.

🎯 Why Are QR Scams So Effective?

Because they attack our habits — not our systems.

✅ Instant Trust – QR codes are everywhere: restaurants, shops, hospitals, even religious places. We’ve grown to trust them.

✅ Visual Illusion – A QR code looks the same whether it’s safe or malicious. Unlike links, you can’t read it with your eyes.

✅ No Filters – Since QR codes are images, traditional email or SMS filters won’t catch them.

✅ Urgency & Authority – The best scams use phrases like:

“Delivery failed,”
“Verify payment,”
“Login now to secure account.”

They create pressure. And in the rush — you scan.

📸 How QR Code Phishing Typically Works

The Setup:
A flyer, slip, sticker, or even an Instagram ad contains a QR code claiming urgency — often pretending to be a brand, delivery company, or bank.
The Scan:
The QR leads to a realistic-looking page mimicking login or verification systems.
The Trap:
You’re prompted to enter sensitive details like name, email, mobile number, password, OTP, or card info.
The Fallout:
Your credentials are captured. You may be redirected to a real site (to reduce suspicion), but the damage is done.

🛡️ How to Stay Safe from QR Code Scams

🔒 1. Inspect Before You Scan
Avoid scanning codes pasted on parking meters, ATMs, or flyers — especially those stuck manually.

🔒 2. Use a Preview Scanner App
Apps like Norton Snap or Kaspersky QR Scanner let you see the full URL before visiting.

🔒 3. Don’t Enter Sensitive Info After a Scan
Be cautious of QR pages asking for passwords, OTPs, or card info unless you initiated the process.

🔒 4. Use Password Managers
They won’t autofill on fake websites — a solid last line of defense.

🔒 5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Even if your password is stolen, 2FA blocks unauthorized logins.

🔒 6. Educate Your Family & Friends
Non-tech-savvy individuals are often the easiest targets. One conversation can prevent a scam.

⚠️ Spot the Red Flags

Here’s what a fake QR scenario may include:

🚩 Unfamiliar sender or stickered QR
🚩 Generic messages like “Hi user”
🚩 Urgency: “Verify now or lose access”
🚩 Link mismatch when previewed
🚩 Typos, formatting errors, or strange domains

💭 Final Thoughts

We live in a world where scanning a square can:

Get you a discount coupon
Open a website
Connect you to Wi-Fi
Or… give a hacker your entire identity.

The more seamless the tech, the more invisible the threat.

So next time you see a QR code...

🔐 Stop. Think. Preview.
Because some codes don’t lead to websites — they lead to regret.

“The danger isn’t in the code. It’s in the trust we give it without question.”

✍️ Author’s Note:
As cyber threats continue to evolve, so must our awareness. This blog is written not just to explain a rising scam trend — but to empower every reader, whether technical or non-technical, to recognize and avoid such traps in daily life.

While QR codes offer convenience, they also open a new front for attackers. Through real cases, stories, and best practices, this post sheds light on how seemingly harmless codes can turn into gateways for fraud.

This blog is to promote cybersecurity education and build a more informed digital society.
By following and sharing of helpful information— you can save someone from scanning the wrong code.

Stay aware. Stay alert. Stay secure.

🗣️ Discussion Prompt

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© 2025 Shubhra Safi. All rights reserved.
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