QR codes have become common enough that most people scan them without a second thought, and it’s that very convenience that scammers are now taking advantage of. A QR code is simply a pattern of squares that encodes information, usually a website link. When you scan one, your phone follows whatever instructions are embedded in the code. That can be helpful when you’re checking a menu or paying for parking, but it also means a malicious QR code can quietly redirect you somewhere you never intended to go. Continuing from last month, let’s take a look at how QR codes can be misused and how you can avoid falling victim to them.
It’s important to note that a QR code cannot infect your phone on its own; the risk comes from the destination, not the QR code itself. What it can do is link you to a place where you might be tricked into sharing information or installing something harmful. Being aware of that distinction can help keep threats in perspective.
One of the most common tricks involves replacing or covering a legitimate QR code with a fraudulent one. A scammer might print a sticker and place it over a real code on a parking meter, restaurant table, or event poster. The fake code sends you to a look-alike website designed to capture your payment details or personal information. Because QR codes all look similar at a glance, it’s easy for people to miss when they’ve been tampered with.
Another common misuse involves inserting QR codes into phishing emails. That is, instead of sending a suspicious link in an email, a scammer sends a QR code that leads to the same harmful site. People are more accustomed to being cautious when clicking on suspicious links or images, but the QR format can lower their guard. Once scanned, the code might direct you to an imitation login page where you’re prompted for your credentials. In this case, the QR code itself doesn’t perform the theft; it simply acts as a shortcut to a deceptive destination.
More harmfully, QR codes can also be used to trigger actions on your device. Most phones will ask for confirmation before doing anything sensitive, but a malicious code might attempt to add a contact, start a message, or prompt you to install an app. These actions rely on social engineering rather than technical exploits, as the scammer counts on you to approve a request without thinking it through, especially if the code appears in a context where you expect something routine.
Luckily, avoiding these QR code scams doesn’t require technical expertise, but rather some vigilance on the part of the person scanning them. It starts with paying attention to where a QR code comes from. If a code looks like a sticker placed over another one, or if it appears in an odd location, it’s worth pausing before scanning. When you do scan a code, look carefully at the link your phone displays. Modern phones let you preview the URL before opening it, giving you a chance to spot anything unusual. A legitimate business will use a domain name that matches its identity. If the link looks unrelated, misspelled, or needlessly complicated, it’s safer to back out.
It also helps to remember that QR codes are just shortcuts. You can often reach the same destination by typing a known website manually or using an official app. For example, if a parking meter offers a QR code for payment, you can check whether the city’s parking system has a verified website. Choosing the direct route removes the risk of being redirected somewhere unsafe. The best defense is a moment of attention. Treat a QR code the same way you treat a link in an email: useful, but worth a quick check before you follow it.
Steve Shannon has spent his entire professional career working in tech. He is the IT Director and Lead Developer at PromoCorner, where he joined in 2018. He is, at various times, a programmer, a game designer, a digital artist, and a musician. His monthly blog "Bits & Bytes" explores the ever-evolving realm of technology as it applies to both the promotional products industry and the world at large. You can contact him with questions at steve@getmooresolutions.com.