Fake QR codes: how to recognise dangerous ones before you open them
Published
QR codes have become very common in Italy. They appear on restaurant menus, on parking signs, on flyers and on utility bills. With a smartphone, you only need to scan them to open a website, make a payment or download a file. Precisely because they are so simple to use, however, scammers are also using them more and more often.
Fake QR codes can lead to scam websites that copy the look of banks, post offices or delivery services. On these sites, people may enter their personal details or credit card information, which is then stolen. Other codes direct users to unsafe payment pages or to files for download that contain viruses. The problem affects both people who shop online and those who use codes in public places.
To protect yourself, it is important to be careful before opening any code. Check whether the code has been stuck on top of another sticker, as this is a typical technique used by scammers. Look at the link that appears on the screen before confirming it, and verify that the address is the official one. Never enter passwords or banking details on a page opened via QR code if you are not sure where it comes from. Finally, if you have any doubts, you can search for the official website of the company or service directly in your browser.
Sources: la Repubblica
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