Be careful, Quishing! How to protect yourself from fake QR codes!

Be careful, Quishing! How to protect yourself from fake QR codes!

The warning about “quishing” is spreading quickly in Austria! Numerous cases of this new scam have been reported in Linz and Vorarlberg in the last few days. Scammers attach fake QR codes to public parking ticket machines, just waiting to be scanned by unsuspecting citizens. This involves covering up real QR codes and leading unwary users to fake payment sites where their personal information can be stolen. Those responsible at the Chamber of Labor have stated that the risk posed by this scam is significant, as criminals have already started using QR codes in emails and letters to trick their victims 5min.at.

How does quishing work?

The term “quishing” is a combination of “QR code” and “phishing” and is designed to steal payment data from unsuspecting citizens. The fraud is particularly dangerous because security software often does not detect such fraud methods. The Chamber of Labor has warned consumers not to scan QR codes that are not integrated into official signs. Instead, users should use the official apps of the respective providers to pay securely. “Real QR codes are always integrated into the signs and not attached as individual stickers,” emphasizes “EasyPark” itself on its website arbeiterkammer.at reported.

Fraudsters also use fake QR codes on posters, emails or advertising letters to direct people to fraudulent websites and get them to enter personal information. "Be particularly careful with QR codes in emails or letters. Only scan codes from trustworthy sources," is the urgent recommendation of consumer advocates. Anyone who is careless and falls for this scam can expect high financial losses. To be safe, it is important to always check the URL before entering any personal information.