Scammers stick fake QR codes over parking meters, “package notice” flyers, restaurant menus, and event posters. Your phone camera opens a site that looks almost real — then asks for a card or login. That scam is often called quishing. You don’t need to be technical to slow down and check.
Common places fake QRs show up
- Parking pay stations and street meters (sticker over the real code)
- Package “missed delivery” door hangers
- Public Wi‑Fi or “scan to connect” signs
- Menu or tip QR codes that look newly taped on
- Charity / event posters with a payment link
Red flags (plain English)
- Sticker looks newer, crooked, or different paper than the machine
- Site domain looks odd (extra words, misspellings, random .co / .net)
- Immediate pressure to “pay now or get a ticket”
- Asks for a full card + SSN for a $2 parking fee
- Wants remote access software or a “security app” install
What to do instead of scanning and paying
- Pause. Real cities and carriers give you other ways to pay or track.
- Decode first with free QRCheck — open QRCheck, use the camera or upload a photo of the code. Decoding is designed to happen on your device.
- Read the URL the code contains. If it isn’t a domain you trust, don’t log in or pay.
- Check the link with LinkCheck or paste any accompanying text into ScamCheck.
- Pay the official way — city parking app you already use, typed website from a bill, or the business’s main site you search for yourself (not the QR landing page).
If you already scanned and typed a card
- Call the number on the back of your card and report a possible fraud charge
- Change passwords if you entered any
- Watch for “bank fraud desk” follow-up calls — hang up and dial the bank yourself
- See I clicked a scam link — what now?
Share with family
One household rule: no payments through a QR you didn’t expect until someone checks the link. Parents and grandparents are frequent targets for parking and package stickers.
FAQ
- Are all QR codes scams? No. Official ones exist — the danger is stickers and unexpected codes.
- Is QRCheck free? Yes. No signup.
- Can I use this if I’m not tech-savvy? Yes — take a photo of the code, upload it, and read whether the link looks safe before you pay.