Motorists are being targeted by the scam
Motorists across England are being advised to carry coins and banknotes as a precaution against a rising QR scam epidemic. UK drivers and road users are being encouraged to use cash for car park payments instead of card transactions, to avoid scanning fraudulent QR codes.
The scam, known as “quishing” (QR-code phishing), has reportedly cost victims nearly £3.5 million within a year, revealed Action Fraud. A spokesperson from tech firm OddsMonkey explained: “The beauty of QR codes from a criminal’s perspective is that you can’t tell where they lead just by looking at them. By the time you realise something’s wrong, it’s often too late.”
They further warned: “QR codes have become part of everyday life, but that familiarity is exactly what scammers are exploiting. A few seconds of caution could save you hundreds of pounds.”
Claire Webb, Acting Director of Action Fraud, commented: “QR codes are becoming increasingly common in everyday life, whether it’s scanning one to pay for parking, or receiving an email asking to verify an online account. However, reporting shows cyber criminals are increasingly using quishing as a way to trick the public out of their personal and financial information.”
Webb urged: “We’re urging people to stop and check before scanning QR codes, to avoid becoming a victim of quishing. Look out for QR codes that may have been tampered with in open spaces, or emails and texts that might include rogue codes.”
She added: “If you’re in doubt, contact the organisation directly. You can follow our advice on quishing, on our website at www.actionfraud.police.uk to help protect yourself.”
Action Fraud suggests exercising additional care when scanning codes in public areas and watching out for QR codes that appear to be stickers or seem to have been interfered with, reports Birmingham Live.
When uncertain, the guidance advises against scanning the code and instead recommends using a search engine to locate the relevant website or application. Specialists say drivers should opt for cash and coins wherever feasible.
The advice also suggests utilising your phone’s built-in QR-scanner rather than downloading an application from an app store.
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