QR Code Scams

🔳 QR Code Scams: How Attackers Hijack Payments, Logins & Websites (2025 Guide)

QR codes are everywhere — restaurants, parking machines, deliveries, posters, airports, ATMs, and digital payments.
But scammers now exploit QR codes to redirect victims to phishing sites, fake payment portals, malware downloads, and impersonation attacks.

This guide explains how QR code scams work and how to protect yourself from malicious redirects.

For the psychology behind these scams, see:
👉 Social Engineering

🔍 What Is a QR Code Scam?

A QR code scam occurs when a criminal replaces or creates a QR code that leads to a malicious destination, such as:

Fake login pages
Fake delivery pages
Fake payment portals
Malware websites
Fake parking meters
Credential harvesting forms
Fake app downloads

Once the victim scans the QR code, attackers may:

Steal personal data
Capture banking info
Install malware
Hijack login sessions
Initiate unauthorized payments
Take over accounts

These incidents often lead to identity theft:
👉 Identity Theft Protection

🔥 How QR Code Scams Work

The attacker typically:

Creates a malicious QR code
Places it on a physical object or digital platform
Tricks the victim into scanning it
Redirects the victim to a fraudulent site
Collects data, installs malware, or steals money

QR code scams rely heavily on trust — most people don’t inspect the URL after scanning.

🚨 Common Types of QR Code Scams

1️⃣ Parking Meter & Ticket Machine Scams

Scammers place fake QR code stickers on:

Parking meters
Ticket machines
Street signs

Victims believe they are paying for parking, but the money goes directly to the scammer.

2️⃣ Fake Delivery & Package Scams

QR codes appear on:

Fake delivery slips
“Missed package” notes
Fake customs forms
Emails pretending to be DHL/FedEx

These links redirect to phishing sites.

Related guide:
👉 Fake Delivery Scams

Fake QR codes placed over real ones may direct to:

Malware websites
Fake menu pages with trackers
Credit card harvesting forms

Most victims don’t notice the sticker covering the original code.

4️⃣ Payment & Banking QR Scams

Criminals use QR codes to:

Redirect to fake banking portals
Trigger payment requests
Set up unauthorized transfers
Trick victims into using scam payment apps

See:
👉 Payment App Scams

5️⃣ Crypto Wallet & Exchange Scams

Fake QR codes are used to capture:

Wallet addresses
Seed phrases
Private keys
Login credentials

Crypto platforms are a high-risk target.

6️⃣ Public Posters & Ads

Scammers place malicious QR codes on:

Bus stops
Lamp posts
Posters
Flyers
Public bathrooms
Campus boards

These link to malware or phishing.

7️⃣ Wi-Fi QR Code Scams

A QR code may “connect automatically” to a Wi-Fi network controlled by an attacker.

This exposes:

Browsing data
Passwords
Sessions
Personal information

Messages claiming:

“Your account is locked — scan to verify”
“Scan for delivery details”
“Scan for your prize”
“Scan to update your payment method”

QR codes bypass spam filters that detect malicious links.

9️⃣ Fake App Downloads

Some QR codes install:

Spyware
Keyloggers
Banking malware
Fake apps pretending to be official

Protect your device here:
👉 Malware & System Defense

🚩 Red Flags of a QR Code Scam

Be suspicious if:

The QR code is a sticker on top of another
The code appears on random public objects
Text near the QR code contains spelling errors
The page looks different after scanning
You are asked to log in unexpectedly
You are asked for payment details
The link is shortened (bit.ly, tinyurl)
No company name is visible
You scanned the code from an unsolicited sender

Trust your instincts — if something feels off, close the page immediately.

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself from QR Code Scams

✔ 1. Inspect the QR Code Before Scanning

Look for:

Stickers placed over other codes
Misaligned codes
Codes that look tampered with
Codes placed in unusual locations

✔ 2. Check the URL After Scanning

Always confirm that:

The website is legitimate
The domain name matches the real brand
There are no strange characters

Learn how to identify real vs fake URLs:
👉 Verify Website Legitimacy

✔ 3. Avoid Entering Personal Information on QR-linked Pages

If a QR code leads to:

Login pages
Payment pages
Forms requesting personal info

→ stop and verify manually.

✔ 4. Don’t Use QR Codes for Payments Unless You Trust the Source

For parking, delivery fees, or donations, always verify:

Official websites
Official apps
Trusted sources

✔ 5. Use Official Apps Instead of QR Codes

For:

Parking
Deliveries
Banking
Shopping
Restaurants

Always prefer the official app.

✔ 6. Enable Security Features on Your Device

Turn on:

Safe browsing
Link scanning
Real-time malware protection
App verification

Device protection:
👉 Malware & System Defense

✔ 7. Keep Accounts Secure

If attackers steal credentials through a QR code, strong security settings protect you.

Use:
👉 Strong Passwords
👉 Multi-Factor Authentication

✔ 8. Avoid Scanning QR Codes from Strangers

Especially codes found:

On public walls
On cars
On ATMs
In bathrooms
On street poles

Scammers often replace legitimate codes.

🛑 What to Do If You Scanned a Malicious QR Code

1️⃣ Close the page immediately

Don’t enter info.

2️⃣ Disconnect from Wi-Fi

Prevents further data leakage.

3️⃣ Scan your device

Check for malware.
👉 Malware & System Defense

4️⃣ Change your passwords

If you entered login details.
👉 Strong Passwords

5️⃣ Check your accounts for suspicious activity

Especially banking and email.

6️⃣ Contact your bank

If payment info was submitted.

7️⃣ Enable MFA

Stops attackers from logging in.
👉 Prevent Account Takeovers

📚 Summary

QR code scams are becoming more common, but with careful inspection, secure browsing habits, and strong device protection, you can avoid malicious redirects, phishing pages, and fraudulent payment portals.

Continue your protection with: