QR code scams (quishing) are growing rapidly because QR codes bypass email filters and are impossible to visually inspect before scanning. Scammers place fake QR codes in emails, on parking meters, in restaurants, and on public signs.
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Most smartphone cameras show a URL preview when scanning a QR code. Read the URL carefully before tapping to open it. If the domain looks suspicious, doesn't match what you expect, or uses a URL shortener, don't open it.
Scammers place stickers with fake QR codes over legitimate ones on parking meters, restaurant menus, and public signs. Look for signs of tampering: stickers placed over existing codes, uneven surfaces, or codes that look different from others in the same location.
QR codes in emails bypass link scanning by email security tools. If an email from your "bank" or "employer" asks you to scan a QR code, it's likely a phishing attempt. Go to the website directly instead.
Be skeptical of QR codes on flyers, stickers, or messages from unknown sources. Scammers distribute malicious QR codes through fake advertisements, parking tickets, and package deliveries.