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QR code scam (quishing)

Malicious QR codes on parking meters, restaurants, and emails.

How it works

Stickers placed over real QR codes (parking, restaurants, EV chargers) or QR codes embedded in emails redirect to phishing pages or trigger malicious payments.

Red flags

  • QR sticker that looks added or peeling
  • QR code in an email asking you to scan to log in
  • Destination URL doesn't match the brand

Real-world example

"QR sticker on a parking meter linking to 'parkpay-secure.click' instead of the city's real site."

What to do

  1. 01Use your camera's preview to read the URL before opening.
  2. 02Type the URL manually for payments.
  3. 03Report tampered QR codes to the venue or city.

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