{"id":18,"date":"2024-07-30T11:39:25","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T10:39:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unitag.io\/blog\/?p=18"},"modified":"2024-08-06T11:00:19","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T10:00:19","slug":"can-qr-codes-be-faked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unitag.io\/blog\/can-qr-codes-be-faked\/","title":{"rendered":"Can QR Codes Be Faked?","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Yes, QR Codes can be faked. As QR Codes have gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic for contactless payments and adverts, scammers have gone rampant with QR Code frauds. In fact, the\u00a0FBI<\/a>\u00a0issued an official warning in January 2022 against malicious QR Codes being used to commit online scams.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scammers tamper with QR Codes to steal financial information, commit cryptocurrency frauds, and download malware onto the users\u2019 devices. What would generally be a safe QR Code is now a medium to commit fraud by cybercriminals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how do you check the reliability of a QR Code? How do you spot a fake QR Code to steer clear of any frauds, and what do you do if you\u2019ve already scanned one? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out all this and more in this article. So, let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Secure Are QR Codes?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the overwhelming amount of data supporting the use of fake QR Codes to commit cybercrimes, you\u2019d be wondering if QR Codes are secure to scan. While QR Codes themselves do not pose a risk to security, the data embedded in them do. Like any other thing on the internet (fake URLs, fake emails, fake profiles), cybercriminals can use QR Codes to steal your data. Since humans cannot read QR Codes, they\u2019ve become an effective medium for phishing attacks and malware transmitters without being recognized. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To keep yourself from scanning a fake QR Code and landing in an undesirable situation, head on to the next section and find out how scamsters exploit QR Codes to steal from unsuspecting victims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do QR Code Scams Work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

QR Codes respond by triggering specific URLs, phone calls, or photos when scanned. QR Code frauds happen when malevolent scammers tamper with the physical or digital QR Codes. There are various ways they carry this out, such as placing a malicious QR sticker over the genuine QR Codes in restaurants and on the parking meters, altering the digital QR Codes, or sending fake QR Codes through emails and social media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scanning fake QR Codes send victims to a malicious URL where they\u2019re made to enter sensitive information or directly download malware on their device and hijack it. In turn, victims lose large sums of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you steer clear of any such frauds, we\u2019ve compiled a list of the latest QR scams that are currently pervasive. But before that, learn the things you must know before scanning a QR Code.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 Things You Must Know Before Scanning A QR Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

QR Codes have become a common sight. An average of 45% of shoppers in the US had scanned a QR Code within three months of a survey conducted by Statista<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, because you\u2019re likely to come across a QR Code that you\u2019d want to scan, it\u2019s only wise to know when you shouldn\u2019t be scanning one to keep yourself from getting scammed. Here are 6 things to keep in mind when you come across a QR Code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. QR Code from an unknown source<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019ve received a QR Code from an unknown profile that you do not recognize, do not scan it. Even if you\u2019re sent the code through a friend, call them to confirm where they received it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. QR Code stickers<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Before scanning a QR Code, check to see if it\u2019s a sticker. Never scan a QR Code that\u2019s pasted as a sticker over an original QR Code. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Scanning through a third-party app<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Most Android and iPhones have built-in QR readers in their cameras. You do not require a particular app to scan a QR Code. So, avoid downloading any QR readers because they\u2019ll most likely trick you into sharing personal data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Downloading an app through a QR Code<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Never download an app through a link provided in QR Code. Instead, download the app directly through the App Store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Scanning QR Codes from an email<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            If you receive a promotion in an email that requires a QR Code scan and feels too good to be true, it probably is. Crooks send such emails to trick you into revealing sensitive information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            1. Fishy QR Codes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Consider the setting in which you\u2019re presented with a QR Code. Does it make sense for a QR Code to be used in that particular situation? For example, a large bright-colored QR Code with no additional information on a train station doesn\u2019t make sense. Avoid QR Codes in such cases.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Now, let\u2019s move on to the prevalent QR Code scan you should be cautious about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              7 Latest QR Code Scams That You Should Be Aware Of <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              There are numerous creative ways to utilize a QR Code, resulting in their rising popularity in several marketing campaigns. Unfortunately, it has also opened the gateway for cybercrimes by some crooks. This makes the danger lurking behind QR Codes inevitable. Here are some examples of how cybercriminals use fake QR Codes to trick you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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              1. Fake QR Codes In Emails<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                We\u2019ve all heard of phishing attacks. Phishing is the practice where an internet user is tricked into revealing their credentials through a deceptive email by someone who claims to be well-known. Earlier, phishing attacks happened through spammy URLs in the email, but in recent times, QR Codes have been made part of the malicious attacks and are better known as \u2018quishing.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Contact the store if you\u2019ve recently purchased an item and receive the store\u2019s email containing a QR Code and claiming your payment was unsuccessful. Do not use the contact information provided in the email; instead, go to the official website for the contact info. The FBI has warned that these emails are part of fake QR Code scams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                1. Fake QR Codes In The Mail<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  Spammy QR Codes do not only occur in emails; they can land in your mails as well on brochures and flyers. It\u2019s best not to scan a QR Code in such a case. An unexpected email should always make you suspicious of scanning the codes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The scammers print fake QR Codes on brochures for legitimate businesses. They also sometimes put a sticker on the original QR Code. Always beware of scanning the sticker QR Codes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                  1. QR Codes Sent Over Social Media<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                    QR Codes sent over social media that claim to offer great promotions are a thing to be wary of. Scammers put up QR Codes on social media claiming that the scan offers money or too good to be true rewards. Users often fall for these fake QR Codes and end up losing money instead of gaining any.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                    1. Cryptocurrency QR Code<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                      Scammers hoax customers into downloading cryptocurrency apps through fake QR Codes. They affirm the victim that they\u2019d get rewards when in reality, it\u2019s just an approval token to the user\u2019s crypto wallet. The scam results in the users losing significant funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Another form of QR Code scam that has come into sight is related to the bitcoin QR Code generator. When searching for a \u2018Bitcoin QR Code generator\u2019 on google, a staggering 4\/5  of the search results lead to scam websites. If a user tries to generate a QR Code for their wallet, it creates QR Code for the scammer\u2019s wallet instead. Thus, all the resultant payments direct toward the scammer\u2019s wallet. Forbes<\/a> states:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \u201cResearchers calculated that some $20,000 had recently been lost to QR Code scams, calling their findings \u201cjust the tip of the iceberg,\u201d as thieves likely regularly change their bitcoin and crypto addresses to avoid detection and blacklisting.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                      1. Fake QR Readers That Install Malware<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                        QR Code scanner apps do not serve any purpose as most Android, and iPhone devices come with scanners native to the camera. FBI has issued a warning against QR Code readers, stating they download malware into the smartphone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Kim Komando<\/a> shares one such QR scanner app scam on their website, where banking trojans wreak havoc with the victims\u2019 finances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        1. Fake QR Codes In Contactless Payments<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                          The advent of COVID-19 led to most payments being made contactless, and the payment mode mostly shifted to QR Code scanning. Scammers have taken this opportunity to conduct frauds and steal money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          The cities in Texas have seen incidences where scammers used fake QR Code stickers on the parking meters to divert the parking payments to themselves. However, parking places were not the only targets of these fraudsters. The fake QR payments are appearing on billboards and online ads as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                          1. Fake QR Codes For Receiving Money<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                            Fraudsters use fake QR Codes to collect money. For example, they\u2019d send a QR Code over WhatsApp, claiming that you\u2019d receive an \u2018x\u2019 amount of money in your account by scanning this code. Where in fact, this QR Code is a UPI (Unified Payment Interface) payment collection request, and scanning and filling out your PIN will give away your information to the scammers. Remember that QR Codes are only used to make payments and not receive payments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            What Happens If You Scan A Fake QR Code?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                            Here are the 3 things that happen once you scan a fake QR Code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n
                            1. They\u2019ll lead you to a spammy and fake website that\u2019ll ask you for your personal data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            2. They\u2019ll fetch your banking information and logins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            3. Send you a fake UPI request<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                              How To Spot A Fake QR Code?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                              QR Codes aren\u2019t designed for the human eyes to read, and that\u2019s exactly what these crooks have cashed on. While there isn\u2019t a way for you to read a QR Code, there indeed is a technique to spot the legit from the fake ones. Here are a few good tips to spot fake QR Codes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n